Roundabout at George Elmer Drive & Cattle Drive
The City of Missoula's Engineering Division is reactivating the roundabout project that was planned for the intersection of George Elmer Dr. and Cattle Dr. The completed roundabout will enhance safety at this intersection for vehicles as well as for people walking and bicycling in the neighborhood.
Engineering staff members want to provide the public with updated information. They are happy to answer questions and welcome public comment on the project. Please use the Questions and Comments tabs below to ensure a timely response and to help us track comments.
UPDATE - September 30, 2020
After receiving several questions and comments about this project, City Engineer Kevin Slovarp provided the following additional information:
The water feature at its current height blocks the visibility of a pedestrian crossing Cattle Drive from north to south from the driver of a vehicle traveling east on Cattle Drive to the intersection with George Elmer Drive (GED). The water feature also "hides" vehicles approaching and within the GED intersection from the driver of a vehicle traveling east on Cattle Drive. The water feature is planned to be modified to a lower height to allow for the sight visibility hazard to be mitigated and allow for the safe travel of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists at and through the intersection. The pedestrian visibility issue is not a major concern at this time as this west leg of the intersection is currently controlled with a stop sign. The roundabout is needed for access control and a higher form of access control (roundabout from stop-control) is needed at this intersection to effectively serve 44 Ranch and Flynn Ranch residents. Without the proposed roundabout, access to/from GED will become more and more difficult as additional development occurs both north and south of this intersection. Some of those developments are in the City’s subdivision review process now. At this time, the plan is for the water feature to remain a water feature, but lower in height, and the adjacent sign modified enough for the sight visibility concerns to be successfully mitigated.
The proposed roundabout has another intended function rather than just access control. It also allows additional pedestrian safety when crossing GED. The center medians will provide a pedestrian refuge and reduce the length of pedestrian crossing distance. This is especially important as 44 Ranch 5-acre park draws residents from the Flynn Ranch development.
The City is planning on undertaking these proposed intersection improvements to proactively increase the safety of all people walking, riding, or driving at this intersection.
The center of the proposed roundabout is desired to be landscaped and not just a big concrete circle. The City will either need to take maintenance responsibilities for the planned landscaping or the HOA, residents of 44 Ranch, and/or Flynn Ranch will need to do so. If the HOA or residents take over the landscaping maintenance duties, it could likely be designed to what the residents desire, more aesthetically pleasing, and/or maintained to the degree the residents desire.
In addition to the intersection improvements at Mullan and GED, the BUILD Grant project is constructing additional non-motorized infrastructure to both sides of GED between 44 Ranch and Mullan Road.
Another aspect of the BUILD Grant project and physical construction of street improvements is a planned reduction of the current speed limit from 45 mph to 30 mph.
For more information on the BUILD Grant project, please visit https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/community-development/community-planning-services/planning-projects/build-grant.
Information on the Mullan Area Master Plan is available at https://www.mullanareamasterplan.com/home, and there is an Engage Missoula topic for the plan at https://www.engagemissoula.com/mullan-area-master-plan.
Current Status
The City is moving forward with the project because access to the area and safety need to be improved before upcoming housing construction projects begin in the area. The original plans for the project are being revised and updated, and construction is expected to begin as soon as the design is finalized and weather permits.
There have been concerns about the status of the water feature currently installed on the west side of the intersection. In order to mitigate sight visibility hazards, comply with sight visibility requirements, and have the future roundabout function as intended, the water feature must be lowered to a height of less than 30 inches. Lowering the water feature will be part of the project.
This project will be funded using both developer and City contributions.
Background
Design and construction of the roundabout was required as City Council conditions of approval for the 44 Ranch and Flynn Ranch subdivisions. Unfortunately, conflicts over design elements left the project only partially complete for many years.