PWM & City Leadership Act to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Westside & Northside Safety Improvements

Last Friday, August 22, 2025, the Public Works & Mobility Department unveiled a new roundabout at the Scott and Phillips intersection, featuring a safety-focused design that naturally reduces vehicle speeds, enhances crosswalk safety, and mitigates congestion-related safety issues on Phillips St. within the Lowell Elementary School Zone. The forty-five-day PWM build also widened sidewalks, added parking delineators, improved lighting, and installed buffered bike lanes on Scott St, all while finishing under budget and on time. 

In addition to the roundabout and the implementation of additional safety measures over the summer, the PWM staff conducted an engineering study to evaluate permanently reducing the speed limit on Phillips St. within the Lowell Elementary School Zone and presented the findings at the City Council Meeting on August 25. After thoughtful discussion, Council Members voted to further enhance community safety by enacting a reduced speed limit of 15 MPH in the school zone during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. PWM crews installed the new speed signs for this school zone the following morning on the first day of school. 

Missoula’s Public Works and Mobility staff want to thank the Westside and Northside neighborhoods, Mayor Davis, the City Council, Missoula Police Department, and all our project partners for their thoughtful collaboration on this project. Every improvement we make together creates a safer Missoula for our community to walk, bike, or drive. 

For more information on this or other Public Works & Mobility projects, please visit our website at ci.missoula.mt.us/2839/Transportation-Projects.