If you’ve seen a rig drilling in the middle of the street in the past few weeks, don’t be alarmed, it’s all part of a project to renovate and rebuild main roads that serve the Columbia Falls High School and Glacier Gateway Elementary School.

The city of Columbia Falls, in partnership with Jacobs and WGM Group, is moving forward in the design phase for the Columbia Falls Gateway to Glacier Safety and Mobility Improvement Project. Drilling has been completed to collect soil and rock samples on 13th Street West, Fourth Avenue West, and Seventh Street West. 

Flagging and preliminary survey work is in progress along the project corridor. Residents are asked to avoid removing flags or markers as all work is being conducted on city property. 

The Gateway to Glacier Safety and Mobility Improvement Project will use the $10 million federal RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant funds awarded to the city in 2022.

The project consists of reconstructing 1.3 miles of road, installing 1.7 miles of sidewalks, and adding 1 mile of multi-use pathways along the above-mentioned roads. Multiple intersections will be improved, as well as parking improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility in the downtown area. The project also includes installing a new water main under the roadway to improve efficiency and reduce water loss.

Construction is expected to start in October 2025 and finish by October 2027.

The work is badly needed, particularly on 13th Street West, where the pavement continually breaks up around the high school.

The project will also dovetail into a project with the city and the state to build sidewalks on most of Railroad Street. The city has sought sidewalks on that stretch of road for decades.

That project was held up this year due to a right of way concern at the end of Nucleus Avenue. 

For more information about the Columbia Falls Gateway to Glacier Safety and Mobility Project, including construction schedules and updates, visit the project webpage at https://www.columbiafallsgatewaytoglacier.com.

Big Sky Public Relations will provide project updates to keep the public engaged throughout the design phase and construction. Those interested in receiving this information are encouraged to contact them at [email protected] or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.