Front/Main Two-Way Conversion

UPDATE—October 2024

This project has been combined with the other projects shown below into the Downtown Safety–Access–Mobility (DowntownSAM) Project, so all updates to this portion of the project will be provided on that page.

The City of Missoula applied for a large federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant in February 2023. This grant would provide significant federal funding to Missoula to enhance safety and mobility in the Downtown area. Projects included in this grant compile multiple projects into the Downtown Safety and Mobility (Downtown SAM) overarching project:

• Higgins Avenue from Brooks to Broadway
• Front and Main St. Two-way Conversion between Orange and Madison
  
• Riverfront Trail Connections between Ryman and Kiwanis Park
• Downtown Signal Optimization – 22 signals between Orange and Van Buren
  

Receiving this federal funding would help fulfill long-term safety and mobility improvements in Downtown Missoula that are included in the Downtown Master Plan. We want to share the current status of these projects and invite your feedback and input. Join Mayor Hess and City staff on Tuesday, May 9th from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Wilma, 131 S Higgins Ave. We welcome you to learn more and engage with the City's current planning stage with the Downtown SAM projects. For in-depth information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) in the Documents section. We appreciate your time and interest in working with City staff to create creative solutions to safety and mobility in Downtown!

A public meeting was held on May 9 that included an informational slideshow presentation followed by an opportunity for residents and downtown businesses owners to comment and ask questions about the projects. Prior to the meeting, six small group meetings with downtown businesses were held in late April and early May, and a summary notes document was compiled from those meetings.

Project Background

The Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA) completed a feasibility study in 2015, reviewing what it would take to restore Front Street and Main Street from

Junction of E. Front St and Madison Ave.

one-way streets back to two-way traffic operations in downtown Missoula. The Front and Main Street Two-Way Conversion is a continuation of this feasibility study and will develop a plan for the two well-traveled Missoula streets and access and circulation for the Kiwanis Park neighborhood.

Front and Main Streets are in the heart of Missoula. Currently two one-way streets, these roadways will be converted to two-way traffic, improving circulation, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and economic vitality in Downtown Missoula.

Recent Design Update

MRA and the City of Missoula are working with HDR Engineering to design the Front and Main Two-Way Conversion project to address the transportation needs of all users downtown. This design has the follow objectives:

• Promote Downtown Missoula as an accessible destination for people of all ages and abilities.
• Improve public safety by slowing vehicle speeds and increasing pedestrian visibility.
• Improve the efficiency of traffic circulation downtown.
• Provide an aesthetically pleasing streetscape that may include street trees, lighting, and landscaping.
• Enhance multi-modal transportation opportunities Downtown with the installation of separated, directional bike lanes. Bicycles will travel eastbound on south side of Main Street and westbound on the north side Front Street.
• Create curb extensions (bulb outs) at intersections on Front and Main Streets between Orange/Madison Streets to promote a pedestrian scale streetscape that reduces pedestrian crossing distances, increases pedestrian visibility, and provides for a safer walkable downtown.
• Enhance and relocate bus stops for a more efficient and user-friendly transit system.
• Modify the intersection of Orange/Front/Main Streets to function with new two-way traffic flows and to effectively work with potential future development at the Riverfront Triangle redevelopment site.
• A new traffic signal at the 5-legged intersection of Front/Madison/Hartman Streets to accommodate two-way traffic on Front Street and provide a dedicated traffic light phase for Hartman Street for an improved entry and outlet point for the Kiwanis Park neighborhood at Hartman Street.
• Enhance economic vitality by encouraging visitors, improving visibility, and simplifying access to downtown businesses.
• Advance the design of the Project to final construction drawings - allowing the Project to be bid for construction when a funding source has been identified.

The graphic below shows the early preliminary design of the Front and Main Street Two-Way Conversion from HDR. View a larger version of the map here.

Next steps:

• The Front and Main Street Two-Way Conversion Project is expected to be at the preliminary 90% design level and submitted to the City of Missoula for review in March 2023.
• The Front and Main Street Two-Way Conversion Project is part of a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant application the City/County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is submitting to the US Department of Transportation for potential construction funding. The RAISE grant could potentially fund several safety, ADA, and multi-modal connectivity projects in the downtown area. The grant application is due in March 2023, and staff will be notified of award status in Fall 2023. For more information, please visit the Higgins Corridor Project Engage Missoula page.
• If the City of Missoula were to receive federal funding, construction of the Front and Main Two-Way Conversion project would take place in 2025-2026.