Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II

Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II
Peters Creek Way to Bachelor Grade Road – There
were four reported crashes along this one‐mile stretch
of Foothills Road. This stretch has multiple sharp
curves with limited sight distance in addition to
multiple approaches connecting to the corridor.
Currently, a yield sign is provided along Bachelor Grade
Road at the intersection with Foothills Road. The yield
sign, coupled with the approach angle of Bachelor
Grade Road, gives a false sense of priority to drivers
accessing Foothills Road at this location.
In general, Foothills Road is windy, has locations of limited sight distance, and has little to no shoulder.
These factors contribute to a potentially dangerous roadway. As traffic volumes increase along Foothills
Road, issues regarding the safety of the corridor may worsen as the effects of the roadway
characteristics become more influential on the corridor traffic.
Identified Issues:
Multiple sharp horizontal curves and substandard vertical curves that limit sight distance and
create safety issues
Intersections along curves
Inadequate signing in some locations
Increasing ADT may decrease roadway safety
6. Helena Flats Road
Photo 13: Bachelor Grade Road / Foothills Road
Helena Flats Road was evaluated from MT Highway 35 north to
East Reserve Drive. Helena Flats Road is a two‐lane paved
roadway with little to no shoulder and is classified as a minor
arterial. This corridor serves local residents and connects
Highway 35 to Highway 2 via East Reserve Drive. The study
corridor has a posted speed limit of 35 mph.
This corridor is increasingly seeing use as an informal “bypass”
for vehicles traveling between US Highway 2 and MT Highway
Photo 14: Helena Flats Road 35. This usage is being fueled by those travelers wishing to
avoid the intersection and additional trip length by going
through the intersection of LaSalle Road and MT Highway 35.
Helena Flats Road is a major corridor used to access the Evergreen Schools (both junior high and
elementary). This corridor currently lacks sidewalks and bike lanes. The close proximity to schools in
the area increases the likelihood of students being present along the corridor, either walking or biking.
Potentially hazardous conditions for pedestrians exist due to the speeds along the corridor and the lack
of pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
A speed study was conducted by RPA along Helena Flats Road in August 2008 north of US Highway 2.
The speed study showed an average speed of 34.5 mph and an 85 th percentile speed of 39.2 mph. The
2‐36 | P age Existing Transportation System