Transform Brooks – Connect Midtown

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Overview

Transform Brooks – Connect Midtown is an urban design initiative aimed at improving Midtown Missoula’s transit and transportation infrastructure with a strong focus on Brooks Street. In 2023, the City of Missoula and Mountain Line received a federal grant to refine a concept for transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and street improvements along Brooks Street. The work funded with the federal grant is wrapping up this spring with a plan including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with permanent bus stops, a new transit center in Midtown, and high-frequency connections between Midtown and Downtown and other key areas.

BRT Design Considerations

Initially, a center-running BRT concept was proposed, repurposing the center turning lane and dedicating it to buses. However, as the feasibility phase of the Transform Brooks study progressed, business and property owners and other stakeholders expressed concern that the center-running concept could have significant property and right-of-way impacts, particularly at station stops where an additional lane would be required to allow busses to pass, thus widening Brooks Street in those locations. Based on this feedback, the design team was directed to examine a side-running BRT alternative and equitably compare it to the center-running configuration. The side-running configuration would run buses in existing travel lanes with station stops at the curb.

Key considerations in comparing the two options:

  • Economic Development – How well will each configuration attract investment and new economic developments in Midtown?
  • Traffic Assessment – What are the potential traffic impacts associated with each configuration?
  • Funding Competitiveness – How competitive will each configuration be when seeking federal funding?
  • Operational Costs – What will the cost to operate the new BRT and maintain the transportation infrastructure be for each configuration?
  • Safety – How does each configuration address safety concerns on Brooks Street?
  • Pedestrian Permeability – How can each configuration encourage more people to move easily on foot across Brooks Street and through Midtown?

Infrastructure & Economic Development Impacts

Regardless of the BRT configuration, certain infrastructure changes are needed:

  • New pedestrian infrastructure (e.g., wider sidewalks, enhanced crossings).
  • Aggregated left-turn lanes and some side street closures.
  • Consolidated driveways to improve traffic efficiency.

Preferred Route & Station Locations

  • Midtown-Downtown Route: Ridership data suggests Stephens Avenue/Orange Street as the best route.
  • Southern Terminus and New Transfer Station: An area south of Southgate Mall is identified as the ideal location for a new bus transfer station.

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

BRT is a high-efficiency transit system that operates in dedicated lanes, offering frequent and reliable service. Cities nationwide have successfully used BRT to enhance transportation, improve economic development, and create pedestrian-friendly environments.

Potential Benefits of BRT for Brooks Corridor:

  • Safer pedestrian crossings Brooks Street, over shorter distances.
  • Faster travel times, even during peak hours.
  • New infill development and economic investment in Midtown.
  • Transportation choices.
  • Streamlined vehicle movement.

Potential Challenges of BRT:

  • Restricted left-turn lanes may impact accessibility in some locations.
  • There may be temporary disruptions during construction.
  • Some additional right-of-way may be needed.
  • Some in the community may have concerns about increased density.
  • Competitive federal funding will be required.

Past & Ongoing Planning Efforts

Community Engagement & Next Steps

The City and Mountain Line, alongside a consultant team, are managing the project. Residents, businesses, and property owners will continue to have opportunities to participate, ask questions, and provide feedback as the project progresses.

Overview

Transform Brooks – Connect Midtown is an urban design initiative aimed at improving Midtown Missoula’s transit and transportation infrastructure with a strong focus on Brooks Street. In 2023, the City of Missoula and Mountain Line received a federal grant to refine a concept for transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and street improvements along Brooks Street. The work funded with the federal grant is wrapping up this spring with a plan including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with permanent bus stops, a new transit center in Midtown, and high-frequency connections between Midtown and Downtown and other key areas.

BRT Design Considerations

Initially, a center-running BRT concept was proposed, repurposing the center turning lane and dedicating it to buses. However, as the feasibility phase of the Transform Brooks study progressed, business and property owners and other stakeholders expressed concern that the center-running concept could have significant property and right-of-way impacts, particularly at station stops where an additional lane would be required to allow busses to pass, thus widening Brooks Street in those locations. Based on this feedback, the design team was directed to examine a side-running BRT alternative and equitably compare it to the center-running configuration. The side-running configuration would run buses in existing travel lanes with station stops at the curb.

Key considerations in comparing the two options:

  • Economic Development – How well will each configuration attract investment and new economic developments in Midtown?
  • Traffic Assessment – What are the potential traffic impacts associated with each configuration?
  • Funding Competitiveness – How competitive will each configuration be when seeking federal funding?
  • Operational Costs – What will the cost to operate the new BRT and maintain the transportation infrastructure be for each configuration?
  • Safety – How does each configuration address safety concerns on Brooks Street?
  • Pedestrian Permeability – How can each configuration encourage more people to move easily on foot across Brooks Street and through Midtown?

Infrastructure & Economic Development Impacts

Regardless of the BRT configuration, certain infrastructure changes are needed:

  • New pedestrian infrastructure (e.g., wider sidewalks, enhanced crossings).
  • Aggregated left-turn lanes and some side street closures.
  • Consolidated driveways to improve traffic efficiency.

Preferred Route & Station Locations

  • Midtown-Downtown Route: Ridership data suggests Stephens Avenue/Orange Street as the best route.
  • Southern Terminus and New Transfer Station: An area south of Southgate Mall is identified as the ideal location for a new bus transfer station.

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

BRT is a high-efficiency transit system that operates in dedicated lanes, offering frequent and reliable service. Cities nationwide have successfully used BRT to enhance transportation, improve economic development, and create pedestrian-friendly environments.

Potential Benefits of BRT for Brooks Corridor:

  • Safer pedestrian crossings Brooks Street, over shorter distances.
  • Faster travel times, even during peak hours.
  • New infill development and economic investment in Midtown.
  • Transportation choices.
  • Streamlined vehicle movement.

Potential Challenges of BRT:

  • Restricted left-turn lanes may impact accessibility in some locations.
  • There may be temporary disruptions during construction.
  • Some additional right-of-way may be needed.
  • Some in the community may have concerns about increased density.
  • Competitive federal funding will be required.

Past & Ongoing Planning Efforts

Community Engagement & Next Steps

The City and Mountain Line, alongside a consultant team, are managing the project. Residents, businesses, and property owners will continue to have opportunities to participate, ask questions, and provide feedback as the project progresses.

Page last updated: 20 Mar 2025, 01:30 PM