Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II

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Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II A speed study was conducted by RPA along Columbia Falls Stage approximately 0.5 miles north of Sullivan Crossroad in August, 2008. The speed study showed an average speed of 57.0 mph and an 85 th percentile speed of 66.8 mph. The average speed is 12 mph higher than the posted speed limit, while the 85 th percentile speed is more than 20 mph higher than the posted speed limit. As the speed study indicates, there is excessive speeding occurring along Columbia Falls Stage which can result in unsafe conditions along the corridor. Table 2.13 shows various ADT counts conducted by Flathead County and RPA along the study corridor. These ADT values are well under theoretical capacity levels for a paved two‐lane major collector roadway. Table 2.13: Columbia Falls Stage ADT Source Location Date ADT County North of Badrock Drive Jul‐01 691 County North of Gosney Crossroad Jul‐01 792 County North of Kelley Road Jul‐04 1,919 County North of MT 35 Oct‐07 1,591 County North of Trap Road Jul‐01 706 County South of Helman Lane Jul‐04 796 County West of Kelley Road Sep‐02 1,170 County East of Columbia Falls Stage Jul‐04 2,395 County South of US 2 Aug‐06 2,450 RPA 1 0.5 Miles north of Sullivan Crossroad Aug‐08 852 1 Represents single day ADT count; value was not adjusted for seasonal or daily variation. There were twenty‐seven reported crashes along Columbia Falls Stage between January 1 st , 2004 and December 31 st , 2006. Sixteen of the twenty‐seven crashes reported involved only one vehicle, the majority of which occurred along the shoulder of the roadway. Approximately half of the reported crashes occurred when the roadway surface was dry, while the remaining crashes occurred when the roadway surface conditions were poor (due to snow, ice, mud, or loose gravel). Ten reported crashes resulted in injuries, none of which resulted in fatalities. There have been three crashes reported at or near the intersection of Columbia Falls Stage and River Road. This intersection creates a sharp curve that requires drivers to slow down substantially. This curve, coupled with the fact that there are a high number of speeding drivers along the corridor, increases the risk of crashes at this location. The intersections of Columbia Falls Stage with Kelley Road (see Section 2.7.2 for more detail) and with Hellman Lane are also potentially dangerous intersections. Three crashes were Photo 9: Columbia Falls Stage / River Road reported at or near the intersection with Hellman Lane while one occurred at the intersection with Kelley Road. Both of these intersections involve 90‐degree corners which require the driver to either slow substantially or come to a complete stop. 2‐32 | P age Existing Transportation System
Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II Overall there are a large number of crashes occurring along the corridor. It is likely that a majority of these crashes are the result of users driving too fast for the conditions as is indicated by the scattering of single vehicle crashes along the corridor. There are also a number of minor approaches that connect to Columbia Falls Stage which may play a part in the number of crashes. It is expected that the land use along this corridor will see substantial future commercial and residential development. As development pressures are realized along this corridor, new right‐of‐way should be set aside as part of project approval for a future wider roadway section. It will be highly desirable to provide shoulders along this route in the future as traffic volumes increase. As developments are planned, traffic impact studies should be required that evaluate what mitigation may be needed, both on‐site and off‐site, to alleviate potential impacts. Along Columbia Falls Stage, the planning for left‐turn bays, and potentially right‐turn bays, are likely mitigation techniques that may be warranted as land use changes. In addition to roadway improvements, the intersection of Columbia Falls Stage and MT Highway 35 should continually be evaluated for traffic signal control warrants as land use changes. It is likely that this route will transform from one that serves primarily local traffic, to one that may start to serve regional through traffic as an alternate to US Highway 206. Identified Issues No shoulders Steep side slopes Excessive speeding Substandard vertical curves / limited sight distances High density of access roads High number of crashes around the intersection of Columbia Falls Stage and River Road Sharp curve at the intersection with Hellman Lane; inadequate advance warning signage Possible need to signalize the intersection with MT Highway 35 Alignment of Kelley Road and Columbia Falls Stage (see Section 2.7.2) Future development may dramatically increase ADT volumes 4. East Reserve Drive East Reserve Drive was evaluated from the intersection with Helena Flats Road west to the intersection with US Highway 2. East Reserve Drive is a two‐lane paved roadway classified as a minor arterial. There is a posted speed limit of 45 mph and little to no shoulder is provided along the corridor. This corridor is approximately one mile long and serves multiple residential neighborhoods and businesses in the area. There are also three schools within a one‐mile radius of East Reserve Drive. There are currently no sidewalks or bike lanes Photo 10: East Reserve / Helena Flats provided along the study corridor. Potentially hazardous conditions for pedestrians exist due to the high speeds along the corridor and the lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Existing Transportation System Page | 2‐33
Page 1: Flathead County Transportation Plan
Page 5 and 6: Flathead County Transportation Plan
Page 7 and 8: The spacing of minor arterial stree
Page 9 and 10: Lincoln Sanders DRAFT 93 2 Flathead
Page 19 and 20: Table 2.3: Intersection Level of Se
Page 25 and 26: 2.5 SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS Flathea
Page 27 and 28: 2.6 SAFETY AND CRASH ANALYSIS Flath
Page 31 and 32: 2.7 STUDY CORRIDORS AND INTERSECTIO
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Page 35: Flathead County Transportation Plan
Page 39 and 40: 5. Foothills Road Flathead County T
Page 47 and 48: Table 2.20: Lake Blaine Road ADT Fl
Page 49 and 50: 12. Spring Hill Road Spring Hill Ro
Page 51 and 52: 1. Auction Road and Demersville Roa
Page 53 and 54: 3. Beach Drive and Holt Drive The i
Page 55 and 56: 5. Columbia Falls Stage and Kelley
Page 57 and 58: 7. Helena Flats Road and East Everg
Page 59 and 60: 9. Hodgson Road and Whitefish Stage
Page 61 and 62: 11. West Springcreek Road and US Hi
Page 63 and 64: 13. Whitefish Stage and Granrud Lan
Page 65 and 66: 15. Whitefish Stage and West Evergr

Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II

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