Missoula MPO Long-Range Transportation Plan
Public Review Period
The Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released the Missoula Connect Long-Range Transportation Plan for public review. The 45-day public review period is now open and will run through May 19, 2025.
We invite you to review the plan and share your feedback. We encourage written comments be provided by May 8th, to allow the project team time to review and respond. You may submit comments in the following ways:
In addition, you can provide comments in person or online during the upcoming Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee meetings:
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:30 P.M.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 1:30 P.M.
Click on the image tiles below to open the plan or appendix in a new tab.
Final Plan (Left) and Appendix (Right)
Download or open the document in a new tab by clicking here.
Use the comment box below to submit comments on the Missoula LRTP. You may use the comment box as many times as you like. If you have any issues or would like to submit comments by email, contact Glenn Ingram at IngramG@ci.missoula.mt.us.
Background
The Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) works to plan a safe transportation network for the Missoula area to ensure we have a comprehensive, cooperative, and connected transportation system. Every four years, the MPO updates the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Missoula urban area.
The 30-year plan looks at all modes of transportation to identify priorities for projects and programs, as well as how funding should be allocated. Relying on previous planning work and community outreach, the LRTP update integrates existing plans and projects, envisioning a resilient transportation network that improves access and mobility for all Missoula area residents, workers, and visitors.
Transit and Transportation Virtual Open House Recording
Watch our recorded Transit and Transportation Virtual Open House to learn more about the creation of the LRTP recommended project list. This video provides an in-depth look at how the MPO, in collaboration with community partners and public input, identified and prioritized projects to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity across the region. View the video in a new tab here.
Missoula LRTP Recommended Project List and Map
As part of the LRTP planning process, the MPO has developed a comprehensive list of recommended projects to address the region's future transportation needs. This list was shaped through community input, technical analysis, and collaboration with agency partners to balance regional priorities with fiscal constraints. The recommendations prioritize projects that enhance safety, improve active transportation, maintain and preserve existing infrastructure, and support multimodal connectivity while considering the region’s limited funding. Some projects are classified as grant-contingent or illustrative due to funding or feasibility constraints, ensuring flexibility to adapt to future opportunities.
To view the Recommended Project Story Map click here.
An interactive project map can be found here, which allows for filtering projects by recommendation. This map also includes project extents, descriptions, and costs. The full project list can also be found here in PDF format.
Recommended Programs and Policies
The LRTP also allows the MPO to identify priorities for programs and policies that support the region's transportation needs. A draft list of these initiatives is available for public review here. Building on the recommendations from the previous LRTP, the MPO continues to focus on key next steps, including implementing the recently developed Street Typologies and addressing future study needs that will require collaboration with partners and additional funding. The plan also emphasizes publishing toolkits to guide the implementation of neighborhood greenways, traffic calming and speed management, and complete street pop-up projects.
The following programs and policies emerged as near-term priorities:
- Prioritize funding improvements for Safe Routes to School.
- Identify pathways to prioritize snow removal and sweeping for all modes.
- Update the maintenance database to improve pavement conditions.
- Publish toolkits to implement neighborhood greenways and safety countermeasures.
- Implement recently developed street typologies and design guidelines.
- Advance Transportation Demand Management (TDM) efforts with Code Reform.
- Partner with organizations to improve community health through mobility options.
- Eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through Vision Zero efforts.
The full list of draft recommendations can be viewed here.
2023 Existing Conditions Report and Executive Summary
As we progress through the LRTP update we will share project documents as they are completed. These documents are located on the right side of this page, under "Planning Documents."
The Existing Conditions Report provides a comprehensive overview of Missoula’s regional planning context, focusing on population and employment patterns. It evaluates the current state of the transportation network, including roadways, transit, and multimodal infrastructure. This report lays the groundwork for future recommendations and improvements in Missoula's regional planning and transportation systems. The Executive Summary condenses the key findings of the Existing Conditions Report. It highlights important aspects of Missoula’s demographics, transit system performance, and multimodal transportation conditions, including roadways, bicycle, and pedestrian networks. This summary serves as a quick reference to the broader report’s insights, supporting the development of future plans and recommendations.
Public Engagement and Outreach
Engagement for this LRTP update and Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) is being conducted in three phases with a focus on communicating with a wide range of community voices in the Missoula area. Each phase was designed to gather and apply public feedback to aid in planning for Missoula’s transit and transportation needs.
Phase I outreach spanned from April to June 2024 with a focus on listening to the community’s transportation concerns and hopes for the future. This phase aimed to create awareness of the LRTP and TSP planning efforts as well as gather information on transportation needs/challenges and desired improvements.
The feedback gathered from Phase I was used in the development of recommendations and potential projects which were presented to the public in Phase II. Phase II outreach was conducted from July to September 2024, and focused on soliciting feedback from the community on the proposed recommendations and list of potential projects.
Phase III engagement is ongoing, and includes Public Review of the Long Range Plan, which can be submitted in the comment box above.
MPO staff share information about the LRTP and collect feedback on projects at Missoula Sunday Streets.
As work on the LRTP continues we've learned about your vision for the future of the Missoula area and your ideas for solutions to help respond to current challenges. We heard that you want safe, comfortable, and reliable ways to get around the region. For some, that means better biking connections or safer places to walk; for others, that means a reliable way to drive or an efficient trip to work and services in transit. We know that when transportation is integrated with land use, we can support future growth and enhance the local economy without straining the transportation system or creating negative environmental impacts for future generations. As we grow, we need a transportation system that keeps pace—one that reflects our community’s character and supports a more livable, equitable, and sustainable region.
The LRTP includes five goals that reflect the needs, priorities, and outcomes of our region.
The MPO Planning and Urbanized Areas
The Missoula MPO utilizes several boundaries to determine the scope and extent of the work outlined within the LRTP. Some Missoula County residents living outside city limits are within the MPO Planning Area and Urbanized Area.
The MPO Planning Area is Missoula’s 20-year projected growth area. Within the Planning Area is the Urbanized Area; a federal designation based on census data. The MPO can spend Federal Highway Administration Urban Funds on infrastructure and services within this boundary. The Urbanized Area is larger than the extent of the City – meaning some County residents live in the Urbanized Area.
You can use our map (click here to open in a new tab) to find out if you live within the MPO Planning Area or Urbanized Area. The LRTP Project Map shows the current projects included within the LRTP and their extent in the region.
Mountain Line Transit Strategic Plan
The Missoula MPO's LRTP is being planned concurrently with Mountain Line's Transit Strategic Plan. To learn more about the Transit Strategic Plan and leave comments related to transit service in Missoula, please visit their Engage Missoula page.
Use the comment box above (or linked here) to submit comments on the Missoula LRTP. If you have any issues or would like to submit comments by email, contact Glenn Ingram at IngramG@ci.missoula.mt.us.
Missoula MPO Long-Range Transportation Plan
Public Review Period
The Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released the Missoula Connect Long-Range Transportation Plan for public review. The 45-day public review period is now open and will run through May 19, 2025.
We invite you to review the plan and share your feedback. We encourage written comments be provided by May 8th, to allow the project team time to review and respond. You may submit comments in the following ways:
In addition, you can provide comments in person or online during the upcoming Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee meetings:
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:30 P.M.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 1:30 P.M.
Click on the image tiles below to open the plan or appendix in a new tab.
Final Plan (Left) and Appendix (Right)
Download or open the document in a new tab by clicking here.
Use the comment box below to submit comments on the Missoula LRTP. You may use the comment box as many times as you like. If you have any issues or would like to submit comments by email, contact Glenn Ingram at IngramG@ci.missoula.mt.us.
Background
The Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) works to plan a safe transportation network for the Missoula area to ensure we have a comprehensive, cooperative, and connected transportation system. Every four years, the MPO updates the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Missoula urban area.
The 30-year plan looks at all modes of transportation to identify priorities for projects and programs, as well as how funding should be allocated. Relying on previous planning work and community outreach, the LRTP update integrates existing plans and projects, envisioning a resilient transportation network that improves access and mobility for all Missoula area residents, workers, and visitors.
Transit and Transportation Virtual Open House Recording
Watch our recorded Transit and Transportation Virtual Open House to learn more about the creation of the LRTP recommended project list. This video provides an in-depth look at how the MPO, in collaboration with community partners and public input, identified and prioritized projects to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity across the region. View the video in a new tab here.
Missoula LRTP Recommended Project List and Map
As part of the LRTP planning process, the MPO has developed a comprehensive list of recommended projects to address the region's future transportation needs. This list was shaped through community input, technical analysis, and collaboration with agency partners to balance regional priorities with fiscal constraints. The recommendations prioritize projects that enhance safety, improve active transportation, maintain and preserve existing infrastructure, and support multimodal connectivity while considering the region’s limited funding. Some projects are classified as grant-contingent or illustrative due to funding or feasibility constraints, ensuring flexibility to adapt to future opportunities.
To view the Recommended Project Story Map click here.
An interactive project map can be found here, which allows for filtering projects by recommendation. This map also includes project extents, descriptions, and costs. The full project list can also be found here in PDF format.
Recommended Programs and Policies
The LRTP also allows the MPO to identify priorities for programs and policies that support the region's transportation needs. A draft list of these initiatives is available for public review here. Building on the recommendations from the previous LRTP, the MPO continues to focus on key next steps, including implementing the recently developed Street Typologies and addressing future study needs that will require collaboration with partners and additional funding. The plan also emphasizes publishing toolkits to guide the implementation of neighborhood greenways, traffic calming and speed management, and complete street pop-up projects.
The following programs and policies emerged as near-term priorities:
- Prioritize funding improvements for Safe Routes to School.
- Identify pathways to prioritize snow removal and sweeping for all modes.
- Update the maintenance database to improve pavement conditions.
- Publish toolkits to implement neighborhood greenways and safety countermeasures.
- Implement recently developed street typologies and design guidelines.
- Advance Transportation Demand Management (TDM) efforts with Code Reform.
- Partner with organizations to improve community health through mobility options.
- Eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through Vision Zero efforts.
The full list of draft recommendations can be viewed here.
2023 Existing Conditions Report and Executive Summary
As we progress through the LRTP update we will share project documents as they are completed. These documents are located on the right side of this page, under "Planning Documents."
The Existing Conditions Report provides a comprehensive overview of Missoula’s regional planning context, focusing on population and employment patterns. It evaluates the current state of the transportation network, including roadways, transit, and multimodal infrastructure. This report lays the groundwork for future recommendations and improvements in Missoula's regional planning and transportation systems. The Executive Summary condenses the key findings of the Existing Conditions Report. It highlights important aspects of Missoula’s demographics, transit system performance, and multimodal transportation conditions, including roadways, bicycle, and pedestrian networks. This summary serves as a quick reference to the broader report’s insights, supporting the development of future plans and recommendations.
Public Engagement and Outreach
Engagement for this LRTP update and Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) is being conducted in three phases with a focus on communicating with a wide range of community voices in the Missoula area. Each phase was designed to gather and apply public feedback to aid in planning for Missoula’s transit and transportation needs.
Phase I outreach spanned from April to June 2024 with a focus on listening to the community’s transportation concerns and hopes for the future. This phase aimed to create awareness of the LRTP and TSP planning efforts as well as gather information on transportation needs/challenges and desired improvements.
The feedback gathered from Phase I was used in the development of recommendations and potential projects which were presented to the public in Phase II. Phase II outreach was conducted from July to September 2024, and focused on soliciting feedback from the community on the proposed recommendations and list of potential projects.
Phase III engagement is ongoing, and includes Public Review of the Long Range Plan, which can be submitted in the comment box above.
MPO staff share information about the LRTP and collect feedback on projects at Missoula Sunday Streets.
As work on the LRTP continues we've learned about your vision for the future of the Missoula area and your ideas for solutions to help respond to current challenges. We heard that you want safe, comfortable, and reliable ways to get around the region. For some, that means better biking connections or safer places to walk; for others, that means a reliable way to drive or an efficient trip to work and services in transit. We know that when transportation is integrated with land use, we can support future growth and enhance the local economy without straining the transportation system or creating negative environmental impacts for future generations. As we grow, we need a transportation system that keeps pace—one that reflects our community’s character and supports a more livable, equitable, and sustainable region.
The LRTP includes five goals that reflect the needs, priorities, and outcomes of our region.
The MPO Planning and Urbanized Areas
The Missoula MPO utilizes several boundaries to determine the scope and extent of the work outlined within the LRTP. Some Missoula County residents living outside city limits are within the MPO Planning Area and Urbanized Area.
The MPO Planning Area is Missoula’s 20-year projected growth area. Within the Planning Area is the Urbanized Area; a federal designation based on census data. The MPO can spend Federal Highway Administration Urban Funds on infrastructure and services within this boundary. The Urbanized Area is larger than the extent of the City – meaning some County residents live in the Urbanized Area.
You can use our map (click here to open in a new tab) to find out if you live within the MPO Planning Area or Urbanized Area. The LRTP Project Map shows the current projects included within the LRTP and their extent in the region.
Mountain Line Transit Strategic Plan
The Missoula MPO's LRTP is being planned concurrently with Mountain Line's Transit Strategic Plan. To learn more about the Transit Strategic Plan and leave comments related to transit service in Missoula, please visit their Engage Missoula page.
Use the comment box above (or linked here) to submit comments on the Missoula LRTP. If you have any issues or would like to submit comments by email, contact Glenn Ingram at IngramG@ci.missoula.mt.us.
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