Snowbowl Road & Parking Area Improvements

Client: Snowbowl Ski Resort

Client Contact: Brad Morris, Owner

Date of Services: 2003 – Present

Budget:

Snowbowl Ski Resort is located 12 miles north of Missoula and has a projected annual improvement budget associated with the seasonal nature of their business.  The current program calls for over $1,500,000 in improvements, with alternatives developed to suit final budget considerations.

TLI provided engineering and surveying services for a two-fold improvement project, comprised of widening approximately 5.5 miles of road that serves the resort and expansion of the parking facilities.

Our team devised the design geometry for road and parking improvements along the road across adverse terrain that serves the resort.  The existing road was 16 feet wide with excessively steep grades and hazardous curves.  The project specifications required retrofit road widening to a 28-foot road surface, 9% maximum grade, and improvement of all existing curves to meet American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications.  TLI has/is providing road construction plans and specifications in conformance with AASHTO, Federal Highway Administration, and Montana Public Works Standard Specifications.  Design features include massive excavation and embankments, where required, to straighten curves and provide parking areas.  The project was designed to balance with excavation and embankment quantities exceeding 90,000 cubic yards of material. 

TLI is coordinating with the Forest Service to assist the client with project Special Use Permits and review and approval of design plans and specifications, including construction scheduling and oversight.

TLI mapped the existing road corridor using GPS and Total Station equipment to devise the project site plan.  We then coordinated with the Forest Service to identify and memorialize exiting road easements and project right-of-way.  Where required, we devised easement exhibits and negotiated easement terms for acquisition of right-of-way for project improvements.  TLI also provided construction staking and as-built mapping for the three completed phases of the project.