Author: Bill Walker

Issues for the 2024 North Fork Summer 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.

This year’s Summer 2024 Interlocal  Agreement Meeting is hosted by the North Fork Preservation Association on July 10, 1:00pm, at Sondreson Hall. It is preceded by the annual Firewise meeting at 9:30am and lunch at noon. Continue reading Issues for the 2024 North Fork Summer Interlocal

North Fork Road construction season begins with lots of gravel hauling

As some of us noticed, especially those  who live within earshot of the North Fork Road, there has been a lot of heavy gravel hauling going on. According to Stephanie McElhinney, the Federal Highways Administration project engineer, it is related to this year’s scheduled construction work on the upper five miles of the North Fork Road:

The contractor was up in Whale Creek on Monday/Tuesday.  They hauled out 14 trucks with of material to take down to Cutting Edge’s facility.  My understanding from another FHWA staff member was there were other trucks up in the area as well doing culvert repair.

She went on to say that we’ll see more action starting in early June, the official start date for the project, which includes work on both the top five miles of the North Fork Road and on Glacier Drive between Polebridge and Glacier Park. There will also be a project newsletter posted within the next few weeks.

For overall project information, see: Federal Highways Administration 2024 construction plans for the North Fork Project

 

Glacier National Park Announces 2024 Spring Operations

From the official press release includes a map of how Going-to-the-Sun Road access will be controlled . . .

Glacier National Park Announces 2024 Spring Operations

WEST GLACIER, Mont. [May 10, 2024] – Glacier National Park staff are gearing up for the season and while full park operations are still a month off, visitors will see an increase in recreational opportunities throughout May.

The west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road will undergo the last phase of construction work that began in May 2023. The last 2.8 miles of construction will focus on paving Going-to-the-Sun Road, starting west of Sprague Creek Campground up to North Lake McDonald Road. Construction resumed in April 2024, and is expected to be completed in late May to early June 2024, weather permitting. Construction will cause delays along Going-to-the-Sun Road, including weekends through Memorial Day weekend. Visitors should anticipate up to a 30-minute wait. Visitors should drive and bike with caution. Continue reading Glacier National Park Announces 2024 Spring Operations

First Aid/CPR/AED Course May 21

First Aid SignageBob Lee will be giving his well-regarded First Aid/CPR/AED class in the North Fork again this spring. It is an all-day course, starting at 9:00am and wrapping up by 4:00pm (although we usually finish earlier). The date is Tuesday, May 21. In order to avoid any possible conflict with the hall ceiling project, the course will be held at the Rittenburg’s, 1276 Long Bow Trail. Cost is $45/person. Bring your own lunch and drinks. Class size is limited to 10 people.

The course offers two-year AHA certification in First Aid, CPR and AED usage. If your job requires certified First Aid training, your current certification is expiring, or if you just want to get up to speed on such things, this is an excellent way to get it done.

Contact Bill Walker, 406-407-2764 or wkwalker@nvdi.com to sign up for the course.

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