City accepts FRA planning grant, forms task force to study rail crossings; council appoints representative
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Summary
Whitefish will use a $500,000 planning budget — $400,000 from an FRA grant, $75,000 from BNSF and $25,000 city cash — to study railroad crossing improvements, with a task force established and Councilmember Steve appointed as the city representative.
The Whitefish City Council approved formation of a task force and accepted a Federal Railroad Administration planning grant to study railroad crossing improvements in and near the city.
Public Works Director Craig told council staff had been awarded a planning grant that funds a study of existing rail crossings and potential improvements to enhance safety and traffic efficiency. The total planning budget is $500,000, composed of a $400,000 FRA grant, a $75,000 contribution from BNSF and $25,000 from city funds.
“The plan will examine crossings and propose projects to improve their safety, including a potential grade‑separated crossing east of the existing viaduct and improvements at State Park Road and Birch Point Drive,” Craig said. The grant requires creation of a task force to assist the planning process; staff proposed representatives from city departments, committee members, BNSF, FRA, Rocky Mountain Transit, business owners and one council member.
Council nominated and approved Councilmember Steve (last name not recorded in the transcript) as the council representative on the task force. The motion to approve the task force and appoint a council representative passed by council vote.
Ending: Staff will convene the task force and begin planning work with the FRA and BNSF; the study is intended to inform future capital investments and potential grant requests for construction work.
