Right-of-Way Infrastructure Projects

Ivy, Franklin & Park Streets Infrastructure Project Phase 1

Location:  Both sides of Ivy and Franklin Streets, from 4th Street W to Plymouth Street

Description: The Ivy, Franklin & Park project will create a complete multi-modal connection from the south end of the Lewis and Clark neighborhood through Rose Park to the Riverfront neighborhood. This route serves as a Neighborhood Greenway, providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient connection to the trail network and the California Street pedestrian bridge.

 Phase 1 of the project will:

• construct new curb, gutter, and sidewalk where none exists;
• replace hazardous, deteriorated, and non-ADA compliant curb, gutter, and sidewalk;
• install curb-bulb outs at certain intersections;
• install traffic calming circles at certain intersections;
• plant boulevard trees (likely the year after the surface construction is completed).

Benefits:  This project will provide safe, convenient, and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities to walk and bike, as well as drive along safer, calmer corridors. The completed project will better manage stormwater and drainage. It will more fully establish appropriate on-street parking and add to the urban forest. This project not only serves adjacent neighborhoods but also provides for cross-city travel as a central connection in our Neighborhood Greenway network.  

Project Dates:  The project is currently at 30% design. The City expects construction to begin in 2024, depending on budget and current bidding environment.

Public Meeting:  A virtual public meeting was held on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6 p.m. A recording of the meeting is available here.

Plan Sheets

Next Steps:  City Staff and their consultant will continue developing design documents and working with individual property owners about any potential challenges to construction. Please review the Sidewalk Notification Process, located at the top of this webpage, for a more thorough explanation of the steps associated with this type of project.  

Project Contacts:  Brandt Dahlen, dahlenb@ci.missoula.mt.us, call: 406-552-6087; or Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, email: weissb@ci.missoula.mt.us, call: 406-552-6352.

South Avenue Infrastructure Project

Location:  South Avenue from Reserve Street to 36th Avenue

Description:  The project will reconstruct South Avenue from Reserve Street to 36th Avenue. Improvements will include installing curb, sidewalks, drainage structures, bike lanes, trail improvements, lighting, center turn lane, pavement, utility relocation, and landscaping. Additional improvements, based on engineering analysis, may include but are not limited to an extension of the center turn lane west of Suzanne Court and signal modifications at Reserve Street.

The overall project is being divided into segments: 

• Two segments are within the City's right-of-way
  • Segment 1 runs from Reserve St. to Suzanne Ct. and 
  • Segment 2 consists of the area from Suzanne Ct. to 36th Ave. 
• The third segment of this project is in the County and includes the area from 36th Ave. to Clements Rd.  

For more information on the County’s portion of the project, as well as the combined County and City application for a Safe Streets for All federal grant for portions of this project, please visit the Missoula County Voice project web page at https://missoulacountyvoice.com/south-avenue-safe-streets.

Benefits:  The project will provide safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, and other transportation system users and improved access to Fort Missoula Regional Park, Big Sky High School, Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Community Medical Center, and the numerous area residences and businesses.

Project Dates:  To be determined and is dependent upon the outcome of the Safe Streets for All grant application described below

Next Steps:  City and County personnel are working together to apply for a Safe Streets for All federal grant, with the grant application due in mid-September. An open house will be held at the Target Range School library from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, to provide information on the project scope and to allow for public input on the grant application. (Missoula County’s portion of the project included in the grant application involves safety improvements on South Ave. from 36th Ave. west to Clements Rd. and on Clements Rd. between North and South avenues). This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Project Contacts:  Kevin Slovarp, City Engineer for Surface Transportation, at SlovarpK@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6099; Aaron Wilson, Planning Manager, at WilsonA@ci.missoula.mt.us or 406-552-6668

Turner and Worden Streets
Mobility Improvements Project

Location:  Both sides of Turner St. from Scott St. to Worden Ave., both sides of Worden Ave. from Turner St. to N. 5th St. West, and the east side of Holmes St. adjacent to the Community Gardens.

Description:  This project will:

• construct curb and sidewalk where none exists,
• install curb bulb-outs at certain intersections,
• create new bus stops,
• stripe new bike lanes on both sides of Turner St. from Scott St. to Worden Ave. and both sides of Worden Ave. from Turner St. to N. 5th St., including the atypical intersection at Stoddard St., and 
• plant boulevard trees (likely the year after the surface construction is completed).

Benefits:  This project will provide safe, convenient, and accessible facilities for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, and take the bus across the Northside neighborhood between Scott St. and Orange St.

Project Dates:  The project is currently in the design phase. The City expects construction to begin in Spring 2023, depending on budget and current bidding environment. Work on N. 5th St. will coincide with a water main replacement project on N. 5th St.

Public Meetings:  Public meetings were held Dec. 9, 2021, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you weren't able to attend either of these public meetings, links to recordings of the meetings are available below:

3 p.m.:  Meeting recording link Passcode: EK+#6XyT
6 p.m.:  Meeting recording link Passcode: X381*Amz

Public Process:  Below is a a link to information on the process the City will follow to notify property owners whose property is adjacent to this proposed project and who may have an assessment for a portion of the sidewalk improvements.

Sidewalk Assessment Notification Process

Next Steps:  

1. Letter #1 was mailed to affected property owners on Dec. 13, 2022.
2. On Jan. 11, 2023, City Council ordered the work to move forward.
3. Public Works staff will send Letter #2 to property owners shortly thereafter.

Other Information:

Project Slideshow Presentation to Council Public Works Committee on Jan. 11, 2023

PWM Administrative Rule 418, Funding Assistance for City Council Ordered Right of Way Special Improvement Assessment Program (pdf)

Preliminary Construction Plans (pdf) (January 2023)

Project Conceptual Plans (pdf)

Worden/N. 5th Intersection Drawing - Proposed (pdf)

Project Contacts:    Monte Sipe, Surface Project Manager, email: sipem@ci.missoula.ut.us, call: (406) 552-6092 or
Ben Weiss, Senior Transportation Planner, email: weissb@ci.missoula.mt.us, call: (406) 552-6352