Lakeside & Somers Residents For Hwy 93 Safety

11/05/2025

Heads up, highway closure tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025) for private contractor work up to 30 minutes affecting both lanes of highway traffic south of Lakeside near MM 95, approximately the old Legacy Bike Park & Lutheran Camp.

Stuck in traffic tomorrow? Post photos of the experience.

07/29/2025

The Polson to Somers Corridor Study's Draft Report is Available. Comments are still welcome through August 29, 2025.

MDT Link:
https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93polsonsomers/

Review the Corridor Study HERE:
https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93polsonsomers/documents.aspx

Review the Access Management Plan HERE:
https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93polsonsomers/documents.aspx

07/09/2024

Be sure to attend one of the public comment sessions to discuss the future of Lakeside and Hwy 93.

A Corridor Study has been approved for US Highway 93 from Polson to Somers.

July 7, 2024, marks 2 years since the Upper West Shore Alliance initiated a petition for a Corridor Study on Highway 93. We’ve spent the past 2 years advocating for the study. In April of 2023, our directors participated in a meeting with the Transportation Commission in Helena asking that they study this precarious corridor. We stay continually engaged with the leadership in both Lake and Flathead Counties advocating for safe passage on Highway 93.

We are ecstatic to share with you that Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl has informed us that MDT nominated Hwy 93 from Polson to Somers for a Corridor Study. The nomination had a positive outcome and the study commenced in March. All work is anticipated to be completed by May 2025. MDT is conducting the study in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), Lake County, Flathead County, resources agencies, and the public. There will be a total of six opportunities for the public to participate in a public meeting about this study. The published schedule reflects that the first public meeting will be held in August 2024. The Upper West Shore Alliance will use our social media platforms to provide notifications of the meetings.

Public comments will be collected and considered throughout the planning process. Details are provided on MDT’s website.

As part of the study, MDT will also develop an Access Management Plan for the Polson to Somers corridor. An access management plan is a proactive strategy to ensure safe and efficient use of the highway while considering the needs of local communities and stakeholders. Access management plays a crucial role in enhancing roadway safety, functionality, compatibility with development, and overall operation.

You can review the details of the US 93 Polson-Somers Corridor Study on MDT’s website. Details include a Plan Overview, Study Area, Schedule, and FAQs. There is also an Interactive Commenting Map.

You can read more and find all the links on our website. https://upperwestshorealliance.org/highway-93-corridor-2024

07/09/2024

The Pedestrian Study for Adams Street in Lakeside was completed in August of 2023. We just got a copy of the report last week.

This is a 16-page document that ultimately concluded that no further improvements are recommended at this time. Even if further improvements were justified, existing conditions prevent further pedestrian safety and intersection improvements without addressing the lack of pedestrian facilities, local access, and parking on the west side of US Highway 93 and north of Bills Road.

From Page 16 of the attached Report
Recommendation
"MDT recommends no additional enhanced traffic control devices to the existing intersection at this time. Although the number of pedestrians during the summer may warrant a signal occasionally, the existing RRFB is functioning as intended and bringing attention to the pedestrians wanting to cross US 93. No other warrants were met and any changes to the intersection traffic control (roundabout, all-way stop-control, or signalization) would likely cause the intersection to perform worse with a lower level of service. Even if further improvements were justified, existing conditions prevent further pedestrian safety and intersection improvements without addressing the lack of pedestrian facilities, local access, and parking on the west side of US 93 and north of Bills Road."

Pedestrian Studies for Bills Road and Bierney Creek are also being completed. Hopefully, we will have those studies soon and can add them to our website, under Local Issues > Highway 93 Corridor 2024
https://upperwestshorealliance.org/highway-93-corridor-2024

06/20/2024

Make sure to voice your concerns and opinions about traffic control and safety on Hwy 93!

https://upperwestshorealliance.org/highway-93-corridor?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR12oapohKuqRookSprF6WiocQkK00Tguusd6ZEASXYzJPQOohkuYGfL9XQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Together we can make a difference.

06/24/2023

06/24/2023

Residents of Rollins have sent out a letter to other community members about the Speed Study. Here is a copy of that letter for those who may not have seen it yet, or live just outside of the delivery area. Please make sure you send your comments about the speed study to the Lake County Commissioners ASAP.

Whether you agree with what is stated in this letter or not, it's important to let the Lake County Commissioners know what YOU think. The last speed study conducted in Rollins was in 2012, so you may not have a chance to do so again for another 10 or 20 years.

Letters must be received no later than July 7, 2023.

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
106 4th Ave. East, Room 211
Lake County Courthouse
Polson, MT 59860

06/21/2023

5:30 this evening after the turn lane was completed.

06/19/2023

Stuck in traffic this morning? Thanks to Christina Schroeter for passing these along. Looks like they have now switched lanes and stopping northbound traffic which is backing up into Lakeside, MT. Lakeside Somers Chamber of Commerce Montana Department of Transportation

06/17/2023

Sharing Sue’s email to MDT expressing her concerns about Hwy 93 traffic & public safety.

👎🏻

06/17/2023

Thank you to Sue Sisley of Lakeside for passing along contact information for MDT.

Our feedback and concerns are important to have documented and will increase the attention this corridor needs to elevate safety issues and hold our elected officials accountable. Phone calls and e-mails help!

Paul Johnson
Proiect Analysis Manager
Rail, Transit, and Planning Division
406-444-72591 800-714-7296
[email protected]

06/16/2023

This page is a resource for residents of Lakeside and Somers, MT to document public safety and traffic issues on Hwy 93.

Construction has become an increasingly important public safety issue and concern, so please use this opportunity to share images, videos, and other information to help our local communities and governments address concerns and problems associated with construction, maintenance, seasonal tourism, and other traffic and public safety issues on Hwy 93 between Lakeside and Somers, MT.

Please keep your comments civil, and this page will be moderated.

Lakeside Somers Chamber of Commerce Flathead Beacon Somers, MT Lakeside, MT Upper West Shore Alliance Daily Inter Lake Montana Department of Transportation Flathead County, Montana Flathead Lake State Park