On Monday, federal, state, and local officials, along with representatives of Watco Cos.’ Mission Mountain Railroad and BNSF Railway, celebrated the completion of the 44-acre, $12.2-million Glacier Rail Park. The event featured the ceremonial driving of 10 golden spikes and the display of the original silver spike that was driven in January 1892 when the Great Northern Railway first arrived in Kalispell.
For more than a decade, city and business leaders have wanted to redevelop the land along the former Great Northern Railway Kalispell Branch through downtown, which today is operated by the Mission Mountain. The tracks are still owned by BNSF. In 2015, the city received a $10 million grant from the federal government to begin construction of a new rail park that will eventually be home to two rail-served businesses currently located near downtown Kalispell: a grain elevator and a drywall warehouse. Once those two businesses are moved — possibly as early as the summer of 2019 — two miles of former GN rail line will be ripped up and replaced with a walking trail, parklands and other commercial and residential developments.
Officials with Watco say the project is a win-win for the railroad and the community that will also increase safety. Not only will the Mission Mountain’s Kalispell customers be located in one centralized spot, it will also eliminate six road crossings through a busy downtown. The new rail park also features a team track, meaning more businesses will have access to rail service and there is at least 7 acres of land that is ready for industrial development.
“This project will transform Kalispell,” says U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who was instrumental in helping secure the government grant.
While construction of the rail park was wrapped up, including the construction of a new rail yard, roads, water, and sewer services, work continues on building the new grain elevator and drywall warehouse.
