Author: Bill Walker

Federal Highways Administration 2024 construction plans for the North Fork Project

The Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) updated us at the Winter Interlocal on their plans to finish up what they call the “North Fork Project” this year.

Short version . . .

Construction will start on June 3 for both the upper five miles of the North Fork Road and for Glacier Drive between Polebridge and the Glacier Park entrance.

There will be traffic control with flaggers on both project sections, with delays limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. Beginning August 3, the North Fork segment will be closed to all but local traffic.

Basically, they are finishing up what should have been completed last year.

Read the full details here.

Monthly project updates will be posted here.

Glacier National Park 2024 construction updates

Glacier National Park recently posted their construction plans for this year. Most of this is of interest only to park visitors, but there is some North Fork impact . . .

Inside North Fork Road
Grading will be ongoing throughout the summer on the road to Bowman and Kintla lakes. Operations will not disrupt travel to these destinations. Major road work between Camas and Anaconda creek could impact hiker and biker travel.

Polebridge
Construction on Glacier Drive in Polebridge that began in 2023 will continue in 2024. Visitors to the Polebridge area should expect 30-minute delays before arriving at and departing from the park entrance. Visitors are encouraged not to drive all the way to the North Fork entrance unless they have a vehicle reservation to decrease traffic in the work zone. Information regarding the ongoing construction work will be posted at the Polebridge Mercantile. Updates for the construction project can be found on Montana Department of Transportation’s website.

See the full official press release here.

North Fork Patrol finishes winter/spring property checks

The North Fork Patrol has finished its winter/spring patrol; 137 properties registered with the patrol were checked. 11 property owners were contacted about various issues (damaged stovepipes or vent stacks, snow damage etc.).

We will be having our spring meeting in May, so if you have any questions or concerns please contact Mark at 406-890-5043 or m-mheaphy@hotmail.com.

Community Hall Improvement Update

Sondreson Community Hall

By Jack McFarland and Jim Rittenburg…

Sondreson Hall is getting a new ceiling! For the past several years this topic has been discussed at a number NFLA meetings and the time has finally arrived. The research has been done, the quotes have been obtained, and the work will be undertaken during the month of May so that all work can be completed for our first NFLA meeting of 2024 on June 9th. Please note that during the month of May the hall will not be available for any activities other than the ceiling installation.
In true North Fork tradition, a group volunteers will be undertaking the project. John Stone is head of the ceiling committee and the volunteer crew, and Cody Ling is the construction supervisor. A core group of volunteers is being established and it is likely a call will be put out for additional volunteers as we get closer to May.

Prior to the ceiling installation, roof and soffit vents will be added, and the building will be sealed against animal intrusions. The new ceiling will provide a substantial aesthetic upgrade to the hall as well as holding the insulation in place and excluding rodents and bats from making Sondreson Hall their home!

Reminder: North Fork Interlocal Agreement meeting, Feb 14, 10:00am

North Fork Interlocal Agreement Meeting
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Location: Glacier National Park Community Building
Albright Cir, West Glacier, MT 59936
To attend online (via Microsoft Teams), use this link

 Host Organization: Flathead County Continue reading Reminder: North Fork Interlocal Agreement meeting, Feb 14, 10:00am

North Fork Community Ice Skating Party, Feb 29th!

(Posted on Facebook yesterday by Beth Ulrichsen.)

Ray Brown has generously rented the Stumptown Ice Den for all North Forkers to skate together on…

Thursday, February 29th from 10:30 to 12:00!
Stumptown Ice Den
715 Wisconsin Ave, Whitefish

If you need rental skates, they are provided! Ray said come early if you need skates, like 10:00!

Beginners are encouraged to come, you get to use a chair.

Come skate, watch, and/or socialize!

Press release: Glacier National Park 2024 Vehicle Reservations  Open January 25 

Glacier National Park 2024 Vehicle Reservations  Open January 25 

Reservations Required May 24 through September 8, 2024

[Link to official press release posting.]

WEST GLACIER, Mont. [January 23, 2024] – Glacier National Park reminds visitors that advance vehicle reservations become available on Recreation.gov starting January 25, 2024 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time.

Vehicle reservations will be available on Recreation.gov through two types of booking windows; A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance on a daily rolling basis, beginning January 25 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Next day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. Mountain Time for next-day entry, starting May 23, 2024 on a daily rolling basis. Continue reading Press release: Glacier National Park 2024 Vehicle Reservations  Open January 25 

Issues for the 2024 North Fork Winter Interlocal

Rob Davies, Hungry Horse/Glacier View District Ranger, making a presentation at 2023 Summer North Fork Interlocal, July 12, 2023 - W. K. Walker
Rob Davies, Hungry Horse/Glacier View District Ranger, making a presentation at 2023 Summer North Fork Interlocal, July 12, 2023 – W. K. Walker

In case some of you are North Fork residents/landowners, but are not on the Interlocal mailing list, Here’s a copy of a recent email about submitting local issues and concerns for discussion at the meeting…

Hi, folks.

The Winter 2024 Interlocal Agreement Meeting is hosted by Flathead County at 10:00pam, on Wednesday, February 14, at the Glacier National Park Community Building on Albright Circle near the park’s West Glacier entrance. Continue reading Issues for the 2024 North Fork Winter Interlocal