Front/Main Two-Way Restoration

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What are we doing?

  • Restoring Front Street and Main Street to two-way configuration along with the following improvements:
    • Intersection improvements such as bulb-outs and other traffic calming features
    • Installation of a new traffic signal at Front Street and Madison Street
    • Reconfiguration of the Front Street/Main St/Orange Street intersection
  • Conversion of Front Street to two-way travel with dedicated on street bike facilities
  • Conversion of Main Street to two-way travel while maintaining parking configurations

When are we doing it?

  • Current stage: DESIGN
    • Currently at a 60% level of detail
    • Expecting to reach 100% design in Summer 2026
  • Next Stage: CONSTRUCTION
    • Start of construction: TBD, potentially Spring 2027

Why are we doing it?

Restoring Front Street and Main Street to two-way traffic will:

  • create a more efficient flow of traffic because vehicles will be able to access their final destination such as parking garages without having to circle the block
  • create safer facilities for users by adding traffic calming features
  • make traveling downtown more predictable for residents and visitors,
  • better connect to adjacent streets because traffic patterns will be more consistent

How will this change/enhance Downtown Missoula?

  • SAFETY: Reducing the risk of crashes and increasing the level of comfort for all users traveling to and within downtown.

  • By restoring Front and Main to two-way streets, vehicle speeds are expected to decrease

  • The potential for wrong way travel is removed

  • The current double threat to pedestrians of two lanes of one-way traffic will be removed

  • The curb extensions at intersections will make pedestrians more visible and will decrease the crossing distance

  • Other traffic calming measures are being considered through these streets

  • The new traffic light at Madison and Front will provide an additional crossing across Madison rather than the Madison/Broadway Intersection.

  • ACCESS: The ease with which people can reach desired goods, services, activities, and destinations using a variety of transportation modes

  • By restoring Front/Main to two-way flow, the accessibility to businesses and other destinations greatly improves

  • Adding east-west bike connectivity creates improved accessibility through alternative forms of transportation

  • The new traffic signal at Front/Madison will allow for better accessibility to/from adjacent corridors/interstate accessibility

  • Improved access to the parking garages and lots

  • MOBILITY: The ease, efficiency, and capability of moving people between destinations.

  • The restoration of Front/Main will increase the mobility of users of downtown by:

  • eliminating the circling most vehicle users experience

  • facilitating connection to Madison St via a new traffic signal and therefore the University area and access to I-90

  • dedicating a bike facility on Front Street, which helps cyclists move efficiently from east-to-west


Click here to return to the full Downtown SAM project.

What are we doing?

  • Restoring Front Street and Main Street to two-way configuration along with the following improvements:
    • Intersection improvements such as bulb-outs and other traffic calming features
    • Installation of a new traffic signal at Front Street and Madison Street
    • Reconfiguration of the Front Street/Main St/Orange Street intersection
  • Conversion of Front Street to two-way travel with dedicated on street bike facilities
  • Conversion of Main Street to two-way travel while maintaining parking configurations

When are we doing it?

  • Current stage: DESIGN
    • Currently at a 60% level of detail
    • Expecting to reach 100% design in Summer 2026
  • Next Stage: CONSTRUCTION
    • Start of construction: TBD, potentially Spring 2027

Why are we doing it?

Restoring Front Street and Main Street to two-way traffic will:

  • create a more efficient flow of traffic because vehicles will be able to access their final destination such as parking garages without having to circle the block
  • create safer facilities for users by adding traffic calming features
  • make traveling downtown more predictable for residents and visitors,
  • better connect to adjacent streets because traffic patterns will be more consistent

How will this change/enhance Downtown Missoula?

  • SAFETY: Reducing the risk of crashes and increasing the level of comfort for all users traveling to and within downtown.

  • By restoring Front and Main to two-way streets, vehicle speeds are expected to decrease

  • The potential for wrong way travel is removed

  • The current double threat to pedestrians of two lanes of one-way traffic will be removed

  • The curb extensions at intersections will make pedestrians more visible and will decrease the crossing distance

  • Other traffic calming measures are being considered through these streets

  • The new traffic light at Madison and Front will provide an additional crossing across Madison rather than the Madison/Broadway Intersection.

  • ACCESS: The ease with which people can reach desired goods, services, activities, and destinations using a variety of transportation modes

  • By restoring Front/Main to two-way flow, the accessibility to businesses and other destinations greatly improves

  • Adding east-west bike connectivity creates improved accessibility through alternative forms of transportation

  • The new traffic signal at Front/Madison will allow for better accessibility to/from adjacent corridors/interstate accessibility

  • Improved access to the parking garages and lots

  • MOBILITY: The ease, efficiency, and capability of moving people between destinations.

  • The restoration of Front/Main will increase the mobility of users of downtown by:

  • eliminating the circling most vehicle users experience

  • facilitating connection to Madison St via a new traffic signal and therefore the University area and access to I-90

  • dedicating a bike facility on Front Street, which helps cyclists move efficiently from east-to-west


Click here to return to the full Downtown SAM project.

Have questions about the Front/Main Two-Way Restoration? Ask here.

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  • Share Hello is there a design plan that can be shared? As a business owner on front I’d love to have a visual of potential ideas. Thanks so much on Facebook Share Hello is there a design plan that can be shared? As a business owner on front I’d love to have a visual of potential ideas. Thanks so much on Twitter Share Hello is there a design plan that can be shared? As a business owner on front I’d love to have a visual of potential ideas. Thanks so much on Linkedin Email Hello is there a design plan that can be shared? As a business owner on front I’d love to have a visual of potential ideas. Thanks so much link

    Hello is there a design plan that can be shared? As a business owner on front I’d love to have a visual of potential ideas. Thanks so much

    Skinsoul asked 5 months ago

    Hello,

    You can view the 30% Design Open House Boards and roll plots in the Downtown SAM Public Engagement Center. Look for the folder called "Open House Materials." If you're viewing on mobile, you may have to scroll down a bit. 

    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Team 

  • Share WHY MESS IT UP ?? REPAVE THE OTHER STREETS IN TOWN FIRST !! on Facebook Share WHY MESS IT UP ?? REPAVE THE OTHER STREETS IN TOWN FIRST !! on Twitter Share WHY MESS IT UP ?? REPAVE THE OTHER STREETS IN TOWN FIRST !! on Linkedin Email WHY MESS IT UP ?? REPAVE THE OTHER STREETS IN TOWN FIRST !! link

    WHY MESS IT UP ?? REPAVE THE OTHER STREETS IN TOWN FIRST !!

    John Doe asked 9 months ago

    Thanks for your question! There is a robust decision-making process that is involved in planning to repave the streets around Missoula. If you'd like to discuss this topic to learn more about it, please reach out to Deputy Public Works Director-Streets Brian Hensel at (406) 552-6361.  

    Ultimately, the decisions around repaving streets comes down to funding. The Front/Main Two-Way Conversion as part of the Downtown Safety, Access, and Mobility project is funded through a federal grant. That means we have the ability to address this area of town to  

    • Create safer streets for walking, biking, driving, and public transportation. 
    • Improve access and circulation for Downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors. 
    • Create an inviting streetscape that showcases Downtown Missoula as a destination. 
    • Support economic health and investment in downtown.    


    You can learn more at the Open House in the fall (details coming soon!).  

    -Project Team  

  • Share Will there be a call in link for monthly meetings? on Facebook Share Will there be a call in link for monthly meetings? on Twitter Share Will there be a call in link for monthly meetings? on Linkedin Email Will there be a call in link for monthly meetings? link

    Will there be a call in link for monthly meetings?

    Maybe Missoula asked 10 months ago

    Our apologies--we didn't get a notification about this question. We will add a link to our Public Engagement Center for the monthly working group meetings going forward. 

    Thank you! 

    -Project Team 

Page last updated: 02 Mar 2026, 03:26 PM