Governor breaks ground on Evergreen School District sidewalk project with Representative Brockman, community leaders

KALISPELL, MT – On April 18th, Governor Greg Gianforte joined Representative Tony Brockman and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking on a long-awaited sidewalk project alongside U.S. Highway 2 in the Evergreen School District.

“To reach our full potential as a state, Montana families must know their children are safe in their communities, especially on their walk to school,” Gov. Gianforte said. “It’s great to be in Evergreen today with Representative Brockman to celebrate how he and the community worked together to achieve a common goal and to break ground on a long-awaited project."

Through funding secured last year, and originally carried in legislation from Rep. Brockman, the construction of the sidewalk ensures students who bike or walk to school have safe infrastructure.

“Born and raised in Evergreen, I walked these Highway 2 cow trails as a kid. Spearheaded by the Evergreen Community Partners, our community of small business, the school district, the fire district, and hardworking, blue-collar Montanans came together to secure the funding necessary to ensure that Evergreen kids finally have safe routes to schools,” Rep. Brockman said.

Currently, students walk or bike to school on the side of U.S. Highway 2, which can see upwards of 20,000 vehicles daily. Sidewalk construction started in early March and is expected to be completed by mid-August before school begins in the fall.

Dr. Laurie Barron, Evergreen School District Superintendent, and other community partners joined the governor and the representative to discuss the importance and impact of the project.

“After meetings, discussions, and navigating challenges, we are breaking ground on sidewalks that will provide safe routes to school from the Evergreen School District to the intersection a mile south, and we are in the process of planning for Phase 2 which will see sidewalks going north to Reserve,” Supt. Barron said.

Barron continued, “From the governor to community advocates, to everyone in between — today is the result of a tremendous amount of time, effort, collaboration, compromise, and leadership.”

Highlighting support from the community and businesses, Darla Harmon of Evergreen Community Partners added, “When we started this back in 2005, I set out to get West Evergreen Drive covered. Since then, our community has stepped up and was willing to take on the challenge.”

Joining the governor for the press conference and groundbreaking were also members of the Montana Department of Transportation, the Montana Department of Commerce, the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Junior High students, and members of the Evergreen community.