Glacier Underpass

The West Glacier Historical Gateway Project (Glacier Underpass)

 

Built by the Great Northern Railway in 1936, the underpass leading to Glacier National Park is long overdue for some TLC, maintenance, and safety updates. The West Glacier Historical Gateway Project is spearheading the volunteer effort to restore this landmark underpass. The project will be completed in three phases:

Phase 1 (MDT FUNDED) - Spring 2022

Correcting two safety issues at the Underpass into West Glacier. 

The eight-foot-wide bike trail joins a rough asphalt three-foot wide sidewalk on a curve which limits visibility and funnels pedestrians/bikers into a bottleneck. 

Widening and paving the sidewalk will make this safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

 

Phase 2 ($16,000) - Spring through Fall 2022

Landscape beautification will include installation of native flowering shrubs, grasses and perennials, a path and will remove weeds and debris. 

During Phase 2, the natural character of the area by will be restored by replanting the grounds with native flowering perennials, grasses, and an inner path. This project restores the historic garden spot of past decades. 

Using some existing shrubs, the project will remove weeds and install native plants and low growing drought resistant grasses.

 

Phase 3 (TBD) - Fall 2024

Refurbish the BNSF Overpass and the Signage- Gateway to Glacier National Park.

Concrete: sandblasting to bare concrete, repair spalling, apply graffiti washable sealer.

Metal Handrails: repair where needed, sand blast, prime, paint.

Metal Beams: sandblast the bottom, leave bare metal (as the sides and tops)

Replace the worn and fading welcome sign on the overpass. 

  

Thanks for helping us restore this historical treasure!