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Please view all the Downtown Safety, Access, and Mobility projects on the new Downtown SAM hub.
The Downtown SAM project aims to improve Safety, Access and Mobility in Downtown Missoula.
Safety: Improving safety means reducing the risk for crashes and increasing the level of comfort for people traveling Downtown. This includes things like slowing traffic, adding turn lanes, reducing multi-lane crossings, improving lighting, and providing separate spaces for different users (i.e. vehicle lanes, bikeways, and sidewalks).
Access: Access refers to the ease with which people can reach desired goods, services, activities, and destinations. The goal of improving access is to minimize the effort or distance required to reach important destinations, often focusing on enhancing quality of life and connectivity. Improving access means considering things like parking, ADA accessible routes, transit stops, loading zones, deliveries, emergency services, and new traffic signals (i.e. Front/Madison).
Mobility: Mobility refers to the ease and efficiency with which people or goods can move between locations. The goal of improving mobility is to improve circulation and increase the ability for all modes to travel Downtown. Improving mobility includes things like signal timing and coordination, conversion of one-way streets, turn lanes, and separated facilities for different modes.
Focusing on Safety, Access, and Mobility supports economic health and investment by making Downtown a more inviting place and reinvesting in the infrastructure that helps Downtown Missoula be signature destination.
Goals of the Downtown SAM Project Include:
create safer streets for all modes of transportation;
improve access and circulation for Downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors;
establish an inviting streetscape that showcases Downtown Missoula as a destination; and
support economic health and investment in Downtown.
Restoration of both Front Street and Main Street from one-way to two-way traffic
Improvements include:
Restriping, parking lane modifications, bicycle facilities, intersection improvements, a new signal at the intersection of Front Street/Madison, reconfiguration of the intersection at Front/Main/Orange.
C) Riverfront Trail Connections
Widening of the Ron's River Trail (~2,400 ft of path)
Gateway reconstruction of Ryman Street from Front Street to Carousel Drive (200 ft of roadway reconstruction)
Enhanced trail access at Pattee Street
Reconstruction of trail access between Front Street and Ron's River Trail at Kiwanis Park (~300-400 ft of trail)
Construction of an ADA accessible ramp from the east side pedestrian path of Beartracks Bridge to Ron's River Trail/Caras Park
D) Signal Optimization
Upgrade signal detection, controllers, and other hardware as needed at ~8 signals
Conduct signal timing analysis and implement automated signal performance measures across ~ 22 downtown signals
The Downtown SAM project aims to improve Safety, Access and Mobility in Downtown Missoula.
Safety: Improving safety means reducing the risk for crashes and increasing the level of comfort for people traveling Downtown. This includes things like slowing traffic, adding turn lanes, reducing multi-lane crossings, improving lighting, and providing separate spaces for different users (i.e. vehicle lanes, bikeways, and sidewalks).
Access: Access refers to the ease with which people can reach desired goods, services, activities, and destinations. The goal of improving access is to minimize the effort or distance required to reach important destinations, often focusing on enhancing quality of life and connectivity. Improving access means considering things like parking, ADA accessible routes, transit stops, loading zones, deliveries, emergency services, and new traffic signals (i.e. Front/Madison).
Mobility: Mobility refers to the ease and efficiency with which people or goods can move between locations. The goal of improving mobility is to improve circulation and increase the ability for all modes to travel Downtown. Improving mobility includes things like signal timing and coordination, conversion of one-way streets, turn lanes, and separated facilities for different modes.
Focusing on Safety, Access, and Mobility supports economic health and investment by making Downtown a more inviting place and reinvesting in the infrastructure that helps Downtown Missoula be signature destination.
Goals of the Downtown SAM Project Include:
create safer streets for all modes of transportation;
improve access and circulation for Downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors;
establish an inviting streetscape that showcases Downtown Missoula as a destination; and
support economic health and investment in Downtown.
Restoration of both Front Street and Main Street from one-way to two-way traffic
Improvements include:
Restriping, parking lane modifications, bicycle facilities, intersection improvements, a new signal at the intersection of Front Street/Madison, reconfiguration of the intersection at Front/Main/Orange.
C) Riverfront Trail Connections
Widening of the Ron's River Trail (~2,400 ft of path)
Gateway reconstruction of Ryman Street from Front Street to Carousel Drive (200 ft of roadway reconstruction)
Enhanced trail access at Pattee Street
Reconstruction of trail access between Front Street and Ron's River Trail at Kiwanis Park (~300-400 ft of trail)
Construction of an ADA accessible ramp from the east side pedestrian path of Beartracks Bridge to Ron's River Trail/Caras Park
D) Signal Optimization
Upgrade signal detection, controllers, and other hardware as needed at ~8 signals
Conduct signal timing analysis and implement automated signal performance measures across ~ 22 downtown signals
We would like to hear more from you about your experience while commuting, working, shopping, dining, recreating, or just visiting downtown Missoula. Share your thoughts below!
Please view all the Downtown Safety, Access, and Mobility projects on the new Downtown SAM hub.
Share What's your experience Downtown? on FacebookShare What's your experience Downtown? on TwitterShare What's your experience Downtown? on LinkedinEmail What's your experience Downtown? link
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
We are meeting with business owners and employees, residents, and other downtown visitors to present our plans and gather feedback.
Public Meeting & Panel Discussion
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
Tuesday, May 9, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Wilma, 131 S. Higgins Ave.
RAISE Grant Award
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
The grant is expected to be awarded in November 2023.
Next Steps
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
We will determine our next steps once we know if we received the RAISE Grant funding. We will continue to engage with the public throughout the process.
City of Missoula receives federal RAISE grant!
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
City of Missoula was awarded almost $25 million dollar federal RAISE grant on June 22, 2023! Next steps are currently being identified, including a robust public engagement process.
Consultant Selected
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project has finished this stage
DJ&A, a local engineering, environmental, surveying, and planning firm, was selected with help with design of the project in October of 2024.
Surveying Begins
Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility Project is currently at this stage
Beginning in February of 2025, crews from DJ&A started collecting data on property lines, street and sidewalk dimensions, elevations, utilities (both underground and overhead), and locations of trees, light poles, and signposts throughout the project area.
