CONSTRUCTION
How long will it take to complete the project?
Construction began July 21, 2026, and is anticipated to be fully completed by fall 2027.
MDT expects the bulk of the work to be completed during the 2026 construction season, with the intersection open to traffic by the end of the year.
This timeline is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen factors.
What can drivers expect during construction?
The intersection of Woodland Avenue with 2nd Street East/Conrad Drive will be closed to traffic during construction.
The closure is expected to start August 10.
Detour and alternate route signage will be in place to guide drivers around the limited closure. Access to nearby properties will be maintained.
Will property owners be able to access their driveways?
Yes. Access to nearby properties will be maintained.
Will emergency services be able to get through?
Yes. The contractor will work with emergency services to ensure they always have access to the area during construction.
How can I receive project updates?
Regular updates will be posted on the project webpage and shared by email and text message.
- Text woodland to 406-302-9922 to receive text updates.
- To subscribe to email updates or ask questions, email
sloane@bigskypublicrelations.com or call 406-207-4484 during business hours.
Who is paying for the improvements?
This project is funded through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), along with the required state matching funds.
The primary focus of HSIP is to identify locations with a history of high-severity crashes and prioritize improvements that reduce the likelihood of such crashes.
THE ROUNDABOUT OPTION
Why are improvements needed at the Woodland Avenue with 2nd Street East/Conrad Drive intersection?
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the City of Kalispell identified this intersection as having a higher number of crashes than other similar intersections. Because of its crash history, the intersection qualified for funding through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which supports projects that reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. The planned improvements are intended to make the intersection safer for everyone who uses it.
Why a roundabout at Woodland Avenue with 2nd Street East/Conrad Drive?
After evaluating options, MDT and the City of Kalispell determined that a small, single-lane roundabout is the safest and most efficient solution for this intersection.
The current intersection has an unusual traffic pattern. Westbound traffic traveling up the Conrad Drive hill continues through the intersection without stopping, while traffic from the other three directions must stop. Combined with increased traffic volumes, this configuration has contributed to a higher number of crashes.
The small roundabout option was selected because it:
- Improves safety for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
- Reduces the number and severity of crashes by slowing vehicle speeds and eliminating the potential for high-speed, right-angle collisions.
- Is a cost-effective, long-term solution that is expected to accommodate traffic volumes for at least the next 20 years without the need for additional major improvements.
Roundabouts have been proven to improve safety. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), converting stop- or signal-controlled intersections to roundabouts can reduce injury crashes by as much as 75 percent.
Why not install a traffic signal instead?
Traffic signals were evaluated during the planning process. A single-lane roundabout was selected because it provides greater long-term safety benefits by reducing severe crashes, slowing vehicle speeds, improving traffic flow, and accommodating future traffic volumes.
Will a roundabout fit at the intersection of Woodland Avenue with 2nd Street East/Conrad Drive?
Yes! The planned single-lane roundabout was specifically designed for this intersection and is approximately the same size as the existing one, minimizing impacts on adjacent properties.
How will the roundabout work in the winter with the Conrad Drive hill?
The uphill approach on Conrad Drive will be modified to improve visibility and create a slightly flatter landing as vehicles enter the roundabout. These improvements are designed to make it easier and safer for drivers to navigate the intersection year-round, including during winter conditions.
Key benefits include:
- Improved sight distance for drivers approaching the roundabout.
- A flatter approach, making it easier to slow down or stop, if needed, to yield to circulating traffic or pedestrians.
- More time for drivers to identify a safe gap in traffic, adjust their speed, and enter the roundabout.
- Smoother traffic flow because drivers yield rather than stop when the intersection is clear.
Roundabouts are designed to operate safely in all seasons, including snow and ice. Communities with similar winter climates, including Helena, Missoula, and Billings, have successfully used roundabouts for many years.
The Miller Creek roundabout in Missoula, which has approach grades similar to those on Conrad Drive, performs well in winter conditions and has been well-received by the public.
As with any roadway, drivers should reduce their speed and adjust their driving to match weather and road conditions.
Will winter maintenance change?
No. The City of Kalispell will continue to service Conrad Drive hill as a priority winter maintenance route, including deicing and plowing of the pavement.
What about trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles?
MDT has worked with the local trucking industry to optimize the design of roundabouts for large trucks and other oversized vehicles such as school buses, RVs, equipment, and horse trailers. This roundabout has been designed to fit within the context of the neighborhood and the lower-volume roadways leading into the roundabout, while still accommodating larger vehicles when they need to use this route.
The slightly raised interior section of the roundabout, containing colored and patterned concrete, is called a truck apron, and larger vehicles are encouraged to use it to drive through the roundabout safely. The back wheels of the oversized vehicle can ride up on the truck apron, so it can easily complete the turn, while the raised concrete portion discourages use by smaller vehicles.
What about pedestrians and bicyclists?
Roundabouts make things easier for pedestrians and bicyclists, too. The slower speeds and one-directional traffic flow in a roundabout limit crossing conflicts and give vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians more time to react to one another. A successful example is the roundabout at the intersection of West College Street and South 11th Avenue at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, which has heavy vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle use. There has been a reduction in the number and severity of crashes.
All pedestrians must cross at the designated crosswalks and should never cross through the center island. When driving through a roundabout, vehicles must yield to pedestrians. Although vehicles are required to stop for pedestrians, pedestrians should always exercise caution when crossing.
How do I navigate a roundabout?
Knowing how to navigate a roundabout properly promotes safe traffic flow for motorized and non-motorized users alike.
- Approach a roundabout slowly. Slowing down is one of the most important steps to safely navigating a roundabout. The Federal Highway Administration recommends driving speeds in roundabouts to be 15 to 20 mph or less.
- Check for and yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk or waiting to enter the crosswalk.
- Look to the left. Traffic flows in a counterclockwise direction. Yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout. They have the right of way.
- Stay to the right. Upon entering the roundabout, stay to the right of the center island. Do not stop if the way is clear. Never pass or overtake another vehicle after entering a single-lane roundabout.
- Travel around the center island. Vehicles must travel around the center island until the driver has approached the desired street. Drivers should use their right-turn signal to exit the roundabout, again checking for and yielding to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk or waiting to enter the crosswalk.
Visit Roundabouts to learn more.