FAQs
- 2023 Higgins Corridor Study
- 2021 Long-Range Transportation Plan
- 2020 North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan
- 2019 Downtown Master Plan Updates
- 2015 Front/Main Feasibility Study
- 2009 Downtown Master Plan
How has the public been included?
Public involvement has been a central part of shaping the development of the Downtown SAM project and the submission of the RAISE grant application. Each of the four project elements that make up the SAM project originated from the studies and plans listed below. When the opportunity for funding through the RAISE grant was announced, it was because of these preliminary plans that the City of Missoula was able to submit for the RAISE grant and successfully secure the federal RAISE grant award. Each of these studies and plans included various levels of public engagement throughout.
Now that the funding has been awarded and the project design is underway, public involvement will continue to help develop the final design for the project. There is a citizen-led project working group, established in early 2024, that meets routinely to provide feedback to the design team and the City of Missoula staff on the various project elements. Each member of the working group represents a specific interest group that has a stake in the outcome of the project (i.e. business owners, residents, bikes, urban forest, wheelchair use, delivery drivers, etc.).
In addition to the working group, there will be public meetings throughout the design of the project to further the public input aspect of the design development.
As mentioned, the previous planning efforts, through the studies and plans listed above, were a large reason why we were awarded a RAISE grant. In receiving this grant, the City of Missoula must deliver upon the broader aspects of the project, such as the overall lane reconfiguration along the Higgins Corridor, converting Front Street and Main Street to two-way streets, and building an ADA-compliant ramp from Beartracks Bridge to the Riverfront Trail. Public input will be critical for how we design the details of the project to meet those deliverables and especially for how we phase the project during construction. City staff and the project team continue to meet with stakeholders to listen, gather feedback, and adjust plans as needed.
Have all the project decisions already been made, or is there still opportunity for public and stakeholder input?
As the project progresses towards final design and into construction, there are fewer opportunities for public input to influence the project’s design. The basic framework for the project cannot be altered as those concepts are “baked in”. This includes converting Higgins from 4 lanes to 3, converting Front St and Main St to two-way, constructing an ADA ramp on the East side of Beartracks to the Riverfront Trail, widening the riverfront trail, and optimizing 23 traffic signals in the downtown area. Outside of this framework, the public and other stakeholders can provide input to be considered up until the final design.
How will you communicate updates throughout the project?
The best way to stay informed about the project is to visit the project website. This is where the most timely and accurate information will be posted. Everyone is encouraged to subscribe for project updates here. Project information will also be shared on the City’s website and via social media.
Why is the City of Missoula focusing on changes to Downtown? What can be done about the other challenging streets in Missoula?
Missoula's Long-Range Transportation Plan, most recently updated in 2025, identified nearly 200 projects needed to support growth and travel around the region. However, there was only enough local funding identified to complete around 90 of these projects over the next 20 years, leaving at least 100 projects unfunded.
Federal grants are one way our community can help build needed transportation infrastructure, and the City takes a deliberate approach to ensuring the projects we submit for funding have the best chance for a successful award based on need, grant selection criteria, and available local matching funds.
The Downtown SAM project was determined to be the best-fit project for RAISE grant funding and had the best chance of a successful award. Because of that, the City of Missoula chose to submit the Downtown SAM project for the 2023 RAISE grant and was ultimately awarded the full grant award amount.
The City is also prioritizing other critical corridors for improvement, as shown by the following successful grant applications: $60M for reconstruction and expansion of Russell Street; $9.5M for safety and traffic improvements to South Avenue; $29M for reconstruction of Highway 200 through East Missoula (funding rescinded); $2.5M for replacement of the Lolo Street Bridge; and $13M for construction of new streets west of Reserve.
How are ADA accessibility guidelines being met throughout the project?
We are using federal PROWAG standards while balancing existing conditions and project constraints.