Montana FWP required repairs to the aging infrastructure at Makoshika State Park. The park is in a very dynamic geologic setting “the badlands” with fossil laden highly erodible and expansive soils. Early project planning and design included: road repairs; campground relocation; associated municipal water and on-site wastewater disposal designs; trail improvements and a new pedestrian bridge. Budgeting, site assessment, and prioritization moved the project focus to its greatest need of road and drainage repair. Full Depth Recycling (FDR) and Cement Treated Base (CTB) with asphalt overlay were major components of the road design for about 2.5 miles of the park access road. Twenty-six drainage crossings were assessed and reestablished.

The Holter Lake Campground is located about halfway between Great Falls and Helena, Montana on Holter Lake, an impoundment on the Missouri River. Campground visitation is currently about 50,000 visitors per year with projections of up to 350 boat launchings per day. The design includes a 65-foot boarding float between boat access ramp lanes, an 88-foot courtesy dock, and a 235-foot main overnight dock. The layout accommodates 43 overnight moorings and is designed for winter seasonal removal of the floating dock sections.

Trails to the docks were routed to provide ADA accessibility and minimize the impact on the existing facility. The paved trails, concrete stairway, dock abutments, shoreline stabilization, and anchoring system designs were complicated by fill-type soils and shallow groundwater. The existing boat ramp was being undercut at the toe and required deepening and lengthening in addition to adding ramp access lanes. The water depth at the ramp toe required that sheet piling be installed for dewatering during construction. RPA coordinated with a number of structural, geotechnical, dock, and ramp specialists to facilitate the design.

Design alternatives were compiled into reporting that also addressed cost estimates. Design complications included significant wave and ice loads on the dock and shoreline stabilization. RPA accommodated multiple design reviews and provided complete plans and specifications provided for bid. The construction cost of the project was about $1.1M. The design work was completed through RPA’s IDIQ contract with the BLM Montana and Dakotas region.

This project consisted of developing a new public park in Lakeside, Montana. The existing project site contained a hotel, small business office, parking areas and a residence. The project consisted of demolishing the existing improvements and developing the site into a new community park, aptly called Volunteer Park.

RPA provided civil engineering services to design improvements to Adams Street, a 37-stall
asphalt parking lot, storm drainage, water and sewer improvements and ADA compliant
bicycle/pedestrian paths through the park. RPA prepared civil technical specifications and
construction drawings. During construction, RPA provided construction administration and
observation for the project.

Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) also provided civil engineering for the expansion of Volunteer Park in Lakeside, Montana. RPA provided civil engineering for new sidewalk, curb and gutter, drainage and grading. RPA worked with the Montana Department of Transportation to work within their Right-of-Way. The project expanded the Volunteer Park and provided additional green space and pedestrian walkways throughout the park.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS:

• Community Park on Flathead Lake
• Boat Docks
• Swimming Area
• Lakeshore Improvements
• Asphalt Parking Lot
• Storm Drainage Improvements
• MDT Encroachment Permits
• Construction Administration & Observation