Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II

Flathead County Transportation Plan – Phase II
can be seen graphically via maps available at the Montana Department of Transportation’s (MDT’s)
website at the following addresses:
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/urban_maps/fc_internet/KALISPELLFUNC.PDF (Kalispell Urban Area)
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/urban_maps/fc_internet/WHITEFISHFUNC.PDF (Whitefish Urban Area)
http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/docs/funct‐classification.pdf (State Rural Area)
Roadway functional classifications within rural Flathead County include principal arterials, minor
arterials, major and minor collector routes, and local/subdivision roads. The urban areas of Flathead
County are also served by a similar hierarchy of streets. However, due to their urban nature, the
volumes on these streets are generally higher than in rural areas. Although volumes may differ on
urban and rural sections of a street, it is important to maintain coordinated right‐of‐way standards to
allow for efficient operation of urban development. A description of these classifications is provided in
the following sections.
Principal Arterial System
The purpose of the principal arterial is to serve the major
centers of activity, the highest traffic volume corridors, and the
longest trip distances. This group of roads carries a high
proportion of the total traffic. Most of the vehicles entering
and leaving the area, as well as most of the through traffic
bypassing a central business district, utilize principal arterials.
Significant intra‐area travel, such as between central business
districts and outlying residential areas, and between major
suburban centers, is served by principal arterials.
The spacing between principal arterials may vary from less
Photo 1: Highway 35 ‐ Principal Arterial
than one mile in highly developed areas (e.g., the central
business district), to five miles or more on the urban fringes. Principal arterials connect only to other
principal arterials or to the interstate system and should not allow for direct residential driveway access.
The major purpose of the principal arterial is to provide for the expedient movement of traffic. Service
to abutting land is a secondary concern. Principal arterials should be public roads maintained by the
MDT. Easement/right‐of‐way widths for arterials must meet MDT standards. The speed limit on a
principal arterial could range from 25 to 70 mph depending on the area setting.
Minor Arterial System
The minor arterial street system interconnects with and works in conjunction with the principal arterial
system. It accommodates trips of moderate length at a somewhat lower level of travel mobility than
principal arterials, and it distributes travel to smaller geographic areas. With an emphasis on traffic
mobility, this network includes all arterials not classified as principal arterials. While minor arterials
provide access to adjacent lands, direct residential driveway access should not be allowed.
2‐2 | P age Existing Transportation System