Whitefish council authorizes application for federal grant to fund East Second Street railroad overpass

The Whitefish City Council unanimously authorized staff to submit a Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant application for a proposed East Second Street overpass, a project the city and BNSF have discussed as the preferred mitigation for railroad‑crossing safety.

Public Works Director Craig Workman summarized an FRA planning grant the city previously received and said BNSF has verbally committed up to $6 million toward construction, leaving roughly $2.8 million as the city’s potential share if the application is successful. Workman said the RCE program nationwide is expected to distribute approximately $1.1 billion in this round and applications were due June 8.

Council members and staff emphasized that the conceptual alignment now under review follows the existing Second Street horseshoe alignment and that detailed design must avoid encumbering land‑and‑water conservation restrictions, preserve access to the dog park and airport, and coordinate with BNSF and MDT. Workman stressed that the current plan is conceptual and that the final design will refine community impacts.

Council Member Ben moved to approve submission of the grant application; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Council discussion recognized design concerns raised earlier in the meeting and directed staff to refine alignment details should the grant move forward.

The grant application itself would cover engineering and construction if awarded; the council did not commit city capital in that vote beyond acknowledging the potential match requirement and the need to plan for it. If successful, construction and final design will proceed through additional public processes.