Ninepipe highway construction project could begin in 2022
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News from the Federal Highways Administration
RONAN – The Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are proposing the reconstruction of U.S. Highway 93 (US-93) between Redhorn Road and Brooke Lane located south of Ronan in Lake County.
Currently, this approximately eight-mile segment has been broken into two projects referred to as the Post Creek Hill project and the Ninepipe Section. The Post Creek Hill project between Redhorn Road and 2,000 feet north of Gunlock Road is approximately 3.7 miles long and is currently in preliminary design. The Ninepipe Section extending from the northern end of the Post Creek Hill project to Brooke Lane is a reconstruction project that will be designed in the future.
The purpose of the project is to improve the transportation system between Evaro and Polson. Proposed work includes widening and reconstructing the highway, constructing a northbound passing lane on Post Creek Hill, adding a ten-foot-wide path for bikes and pedestrians, intersection improvements, wildlife crossing structures, environmental enhancements and re-vegetation of disturbed areas with consideration of the impacts on the landscape. A highway right-of-way will be required for these improvements.
It is anticipated that construction in the US-93 Ninepipe/Ronan project corridor could begin in 2022 with one or more separate construction projects, depending on funding availability and other factors.
The proposed project travels through the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge owned by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kerr Mitigation Land owned and managed by CSKT, the Kicking Horse Waterfowl Production Area owned and managed by the USFWS, and the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area owned and managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. These special resources are protected under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 as recreational areas and wildlife and waterfowl refuges.
The transportation improvements that are currently being proposed were identified as the preferred rural alternative in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that was completed in February 2008. At that time, the FEIS did not include impacts to properties protected under Section 4(f). However, as the design of the roadway and pedestrian facilities has progressed, unavoidable Section 4(f) impacts have been identified.
Approximately 6.54 acres from the Ninepipe WMA, 0.54 acres from the Kicking Horse WPA, 0.75 acres from Ninepipe NWR and 1.17 acres from the Kerr Mitigation Land are expected to be incorporated into the transportation facility. Additionally, property boundary fencing would be replaced, construction slope grading would temporarily disturb vegetation, and temporary access interruptions are expected for some parcels during construction.
Through impact avoidance, minimization and mitigation or enhancement measures, FHWA’s preliminary conclusion is that the impacts to the Section 4(f) properties can be classified as “de minimis.” This means that FHWA currently concludes that the impacts of the proposed project would not adversely affect the activities, features, or attributes that qualify those resources for protection under Section 4(f). With this notice, the public has an opportunity to review and comment on the effects of the project on the Section 4(f) resources listed above.
If you would like to request more information or to provide comment, please contact Heidy Bruner, Federal Highway Administration, 585 Shepard Way, Suite 2, Helena, MT 59601; 406-441-3914, heidy.bruner@dot.gov. Please submit your comments by Feb. 20.
