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Sidewalk Projects
Ivy, Franklin & Park Streets Infrastructure Project Phase 1
Location: Both sides of Ivy and Franklin Streets, from 4th Street W to Plymouth Street
Description: The Ivy, Franklin & Park project will create a complete multi-modal connection from the south end of the Lewis and Clark neighborhood through Rose Park to the Riverfront neighborhood. This route serves as a Neighborhood Greenway, providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient connection to the trail network and the California Street pedestrian bridge.
Phase 1 of the project will:
- construct new curb, gutter, and sidewalk where none exists;
- replace hazardous, deteriorated, and non-ADA compliant curb, gutter, and sidewalk;
- install curb-bulb outs at certain intersections;
- install traffic calming circles at certain intersections;
- plant boulevard trees (likely the year after the surface construction is completed).
Sidewalk Assessment Notification Process
Benefits: This project will provide safe, convenient, and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities to walk and bike, as well as drive along safer, calmer corridors. The completed project will better manage stormwater and drainage. It will more fully establish appropriate on-street parking and add to the urban forest. This project not only serves adjacent neighborhoods but also provides for cross-city travel as a central connection in our Neighborhood Greenway network.
Project Dates: The project is currently at 30% design. The City expects construction to begin in 2024, depending on budget and current bidding environment.
Public Meeting: A virtual public meeting was held on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6 p.m.: Meeting Recording.
Next Steps: City Staff and their consultant will continue developing design documents and working with individual property owners about any potential challenges to construction. Please review the Sidewalk Notification Process, located at the top of this webpage, for a more thorough explanation of the steps associated with this type of project.
Additional Information: Sidewalk Projects Overview
Project Contacts: Brandt Dahlen, Surface Project Coordinator, at dahlenb@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6087; or Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, at weissb@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6352
Turner & Worden Streets
Mobility Improvements Project
PROJECT UPDATE - MARCH 27, 2023
City Council voted to reject the single bid for this project. City engineers will make some adjustments to the project and re-bid it in late 2023. Affected property owners will be contact via letter with next steps in the process once bids are opened. This page will be updated.
Location: Both sides of Turner St. from Scott St. to Worden Ave., both sides of Worden Ave. from Turner St. to N. 5th St. West, and the east side of Holmes St. adjacent to the Community Gardens.
Description: This project will:
- construct curb and sidewalk where none exists,
- install curb bulb-outs at certain intersections,
- create new bus stops,
- stripe new bike lanes on both sides of Turner St. from Scott St. to Worden Ave. and both sides of Worden Ave. from Turner St. to N. 5th St., including the atypical intersection at Stoddard St., and
- plant boulevard trees (likely the year after the surface construction is completed).
Sidewalk Assessment Notification Process
Benefits: This project will provide safe, convenient, and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, and take the bus across the Northside neighborhood between Scott St. and Orange St.
Project Dates: The project is currently in the design phase. The City expects construction to begin in Spring 2023, depending on budget and current bidding environment. Work on N. 5th St. will coincide with a water main replacement project on N. 5th St.
Public Meetings: Public meetings were held Dec. 9, 2021, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you weren't able to attend either of these public meetings, links to recordings of the meetings are available below:
3 p.m.: Meeting recording link Passcode: EK+#6XyT
6 p.m.: Meeting recording link Passcode: X381*Amz
Public Process: Below is a a link to information on the process the City will follow to notify property owners whose property is adjacent to this proposed project and who may have an assessment for a portion of the sidewalk improvements.
Sidewalk Assessment Notification Process
Next Steps:
- Letter #1 was mailed to affected property owners on Dec. 13, 2022.
- On Jan. 23, 2023, City Council ordered the work to move forward.
- Public Works staff mailed Letter #2 to property owners on Feb. 8, 2023.
- Letter #3 was mailed to property owners on Mar. 2 to notify them of the bid opening.
Other Information:
Project Slideshow Presentation to Council Public Works Committee on Jan. 11, 2023
Construction Plans (pdf) (February 2023)
Project Conceptual Plans (pdf)
Worden/N. 5th Intersection Drawing - Proposed (pdf)
Project Contacts: Monte Sipe, Surface Project Manager, email: sipem@ci.missoula.ut.us, call: (406) 552-6092 or
Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, email: weissb@ci.missoula.mt.us, call: (406) 552-6352
Transportation Safety Projects
The City of Missoula Transportation Safety Team (TST) includes planners, engineers, and Street Maintenance Division staff who meet regularly to improve safety and operations for people walking, biking, and driving. Major improvements like new traffic signals, roundabouts, bike lanes, and travel lanes are typically addressed through large-scale projects included in the annual Community Investment Program. When appropriate, TST refers traffic safety concerns on local streets to the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP), which analyzes the data for these concerns and determines potential solutions.
To report a traffic safety issue, please fill out our Traffic Safety Concern Form.
North 3rd Street West at Grand Avenue
Location: On N. 3rd St. W. on the west side of the Grand Ave. intersection
Description: Proposed "quick build" project to install curb extension bulb-outs and paint the crosswalk on this side of the intersection to provide traffic calming at this location. The bulb-outs will be constructed with paint and plastic bollards, which provides an opportunity for the neighborhood to add artwork to the area inside the bollards (see map). Signage will also be installed to direct traffic back to I-90 for those who end up in the neighborhood by mistake.
Benefits: The intent is to improve safety by reducing speeding, cut-through traffic, and crashes.
Project Dates: Work is expected to start in early July, weather permitting, and should only take a day or two to complete.
Other Information:
Project Contact: Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, 406-552-6352, WeissB@ci.missoula.mt.us
Lewis & Clark Neighborhood Traffic Management
Location: Kent Ave. from Maurice to Bancroft, Park St. from Mount to Pattee Creek, and the general area bounded by Mount Ave., S. Higgins, Pattee Creek, and Bancroft.
Description: The City of Missoula is proposing to install a series of traffic calming circles, bulb outs, speed humps, and stop signs to manage speeds, reduce cut through traffic, address limited sight distances at intersections, and promote biking and walking. Specific proposed locations are as follows:
- Circles: Park/Burlington, Park/Kensington, Park/Sussex, Park/Dearborn, Kent/Lester, Kent/Queen, Central/Thames, Central/Hollis, Sussex/Lester
- Stop Signs: North/Queen, North/Hollis (both), North/Thames (both), North/Lester, Central/Queen, Central/Lester, Sussex/Queen, Sussex/Thames
- Bulb Outs: Kent/Gerald, Kent/Park
- Speed Humps: Benton/Queen, Benton/Hollis
Benefits: This project will further establish the Neighborhood Greenway (NG) network, of which Kent Ave. and Park St. are two of the highest priority routes. Benton Ave. is also on the NG network due to its connections to Sentinel High School, Lewis & Clark Elementary, Dornblaser Field, and by extension of the Lewis & Clark trail to Gerald Ave., another top priority NG. This project builds on previous traffic calming efforts in the neighborhood and ties into other Transportation Projects: Ivy/Franklin Sidewalks and the Kent/Central connection through Tremper's Shopping Center (see project information above and below on this web page).
Project Area Map and Proposed Features (pdf)
Project Dates: We hope to install as soon as possible, likely late August – early September, weather and materials dependent.
Public Meetings: Two virtual public meetings will be held on Thursday, July 27. Links to video recordings of the meetings are provided below:
11:45 a.m. meeting 5:15 p.m. meeting
Contact: Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, at WeissB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6352
Kent Avenue – Central Avenue Greenway & Traffic Calming Project
Location: W. Kent Ave. from Russell St. to Regent St.
Description: Installation of a hybrid urban traffic circle at the W. Kent Ave. and Oxford St. intersection and the following safety improvements:
- mid-block speed hump between Regent St. and Oxford St.,
- raised crosswalk on W. Kent Ave. between Tremper's Plaza and Tremper's Shopping Center,
- widened sidewalk on the south side of W. Kent Ave. between Russell St. and the driveway entrance into Tremper's Shopping Center, and
- crosswalk enhancements on Russell St., including rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
Benefits: Slower and safer traffic flow with safer pedestrian and bicycle routes and crossings.
Project Area Map & Preliminary Design (pdf)
Project Dates: Engineering consultant will begin to contact adjacent property owners Oct. 3 – 14, 2022, with project expected to go to bid in Feb. 2023 and construction summer 2023.
Contacts: Brandt Dahlen, Surface Project Coordinator, at DahlenB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6087; or Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, at WeissB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6352
McDonald Avenue Traffic Calming
Location: McDonald Ave. from S. Russell St. to Brooks St.
Description: The City of Missoula is proposing to install bulb outs, stop signs, a calming circle, and a speed hump to manage speeds, address limited sight distances at intersections, and mitigate known crash locations. Specific proposed locations are as follows (also shown on map):
Circle: Grant St
Stop Signs: Joyce Dr., Rosebud Ln. (both already installed)
Bulb Outs: Washburn St., Garfield St., and Paxson St.
Speed Humps: Between S. Russell St. and Washburn St.
Benefits: Through the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, staff review, analyze, rank, and prioritize citizen requests for help mitigating traffic problems they observe in their neighborhoods. Over the past few years, several McDonald Ave. residents have alerted us to high speeds and crashes along the corridor. We verified these concerns, and after ranking this project against others in the community, are able to address the issues. We expect this project will reduce vehicle travel speeds through this residential neighborhood without hindering emergency response or other necessary movements for delivery/moving trucks.
Project Area Map and Proposed Features (link pdf)
Public Meetings: August 23, noon to 1 p.m. or 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Videos of the meetings will be posted below once available.
Noon to 1 p.m. Teams meeting link
5:15 to 6:15 Teams meeting link
Project Dates: We hope to install as soon as possible, likely late August – early September, weather and materials dependent.
Contact: Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, at WeissB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6352
S. Russell Street Commuter Trail Crossing Project
Location: Both sides of S. Russell Street, adjacent to 2821 S. Russell Street at the Fairgrounds trail and near the YMCA.
Description: The project will create a complete multi-modal connection from the Fairgrounds trail to S. Russell Street. The project entails constructing a commuter trail crossing north of the existing pedestrian crossing on Russell St. and installing new bulb-outs, curbs, ramps, sidewalk, center median curb, one bus stop as well as new signing, striping, and temporary pedestrian level lighting near the east and west curb ramps. This commuter trail crossing will have rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs).
Benefits: This project will provide safe, convenient, and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities to walk and bike along safer, calmer corridors and serves adjacent neighborhoods. It will also provide drivers on S. Russell Street with infrastructure that indicates the trail crossing, so they should expect pedestrians, bicyclists, and others to be present. The completed project will better manage stormwater and drainage.
Project Dates: The project is currently at preliminary design stage, and the Montana Department of Transportation has approved this project. The City expects construction to begin in the fall of 2023 or in the spring of 2024, depending on budget and current bidding environment.
Next Steps: City staff and their consultant will continue developing design documents.
Project Contacts: Mark Todorovich, todorovichm@ci.missoula.mt.us or call 406-552-6098; or Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, email weissb@ci.missoula.mt.us or call 406-552-6352
Other Information: Stage 3 (90%) Plans (pdf)
Scott Street – Phillips Street to Otis Street – Surface Improvements Project
Location: On Scott St. from Phillips St. to Otis St.
Description: Street and other surface improvements for the corridor, based on the North Reserve/Scott Street Master Plan, that include sidewalks, a two-way protected bikeway on the west side of the street, roundabouts, turn lanes, crosswalks, streetlighting, non-motorized connections from Stoddard St. to the Scott Street Bridge, traffic calming measures, curbs, drainage structures, and asphalt resurfacing.
Benefits: Project benefits include improving safety and easing traffic pressure created by residential and commercial developments in the Northside Neighborhood.
Project Dates: A professional services agreement with WGM Group was approved by City Council and signed by the Mayor on March 6, 2023, to begin preliminary engineering to define the scope, planned improvements, cost, constraints, and timing of the improvements. Future phases will include final plan preparation and construction administration.
The preliminary engineering phase is expected be completed in 2023 with final design and construction occurring in 2024 – 2025. Construction may be phased over multiple years depending on available funding.
Some interim safety improvements have been made, including installation of new ADA ramps and refreshed crosswalk markings at the Turner St. intersection and a speed limit sign at the south end of the Scott St. Bridge that tells drivers their speed. (See photos above.)
Public Meetings: An Inclusive Interdisciplinary Walking Audit was held on, March 2, 2023, which included participants walking or otherwise traveling along certain areas in the neighborhood to assess current street and sidewalk conditions as related to safety, comfort, convenience, and accessibility. By bringing together an interdisciplinary group of officials and community stakeholders, walk audits help leaders and policy makers understand multiple, often underrepresented, perspectives and invite them to explore new solutions to mobility challenges.
Additional public meetings are expected, and dates and times for those will be posted on this page once available.
Project Contacts: Brandt Dahlen, Surface Project Coordinator, at DahlenB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6087; or Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, at WeissB@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6352
South Avenue Safety & Infrastructure Improvements Project
Location: South Avenue from Reserve Street to 36th Avenue
Description: The project will reconstruct South Avenue from Reserve Street to 36th Avenue. Improvements will include installing curb, sidewalks, drainage structures, bike lanes, trail improvements, lighting, center turn lane, pavement, utility relocation, and landscaping. Additional improvements, based on engineering analysis, may include but are not limited to an extension of the center turn lane west of Suzanne Court and signal modifications at Reserve Street.
The overall project is being divided into segments:
- Two segments are within the City's right-of-way
- Segment 1 runs from Reserve St. to Suzanne Ct. and
- Segment 2 consists of the area from Suzanne Ct. to 36th Ave.
- The third segment of this project is in the County and includes the area from 36th Ave. to Clements Rd.
For more information on the County’s portion of the project, as well as the combined County and City application for a Safe Streets for All federal grant for portions of this project, please visit the Missoula County Voice project web page at https://missoulacountyvoice.com/south-avenue-safe-streets.
Benefits: The project will provide safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, and other transportation system users and improved access to Fort Missoula Regional Park, Big Sky High School, Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Community Medical Center, and the numerous area residences and businesses.
Project Dates: To be determined.
Next Steps: City and County personnel worked together to apply for a Safe Streets for All federal grant, which was submitted in mid-September 2022. An open house was held at the Target Range School library from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, to provide information on the project scope and to allow for public input on the grant application. (Missoula County’s portion of the project included in the grant application involves safety improvements on South Ave. from 36th Ave. west to Clements Rd. and on Clements Rd. between North and South avenues).
The City was notified on January 31 that our grant application was approved for $9 million! The next steps will be to finalize design and start planning for construction. Check back--this page will be updated as information becomes available.
Project Contacts: Kevin Slovarp, City Engineer for Surface Transportation, at SlovarpK@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6099; Aaron Wilson, Planning Manager, at WilsonA@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6668