Potomac Elementary school zone and school zone speed limit

Update: The public hearing meeting to hear this proposal has been postponed to May 28.

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28.

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings.

Project Description

Missoula County opened a public hearing period to establish a school zone and school zone speed limit at Potomac Elementary, located at 29750 Potomac Road in Potomac. At the end of the hearing period, the county commissioners will consider a resolution to:

• Establish a 15-mph school zone speed limit on Potomac Loop and on Potomac Road
• Install signs on Potomac Loop and Potomac Road
• Double the fines for speeding in a school zone

Project Background

A member of the school safety team contacted Public Works staff in January 2026 with concerns about the speed limit and the lack of school zone signs around Potomac Elementary. Although there are modern school crosswalk signs between the school and the Potomac Community Center, there are minimal signs on Potomac Road because standards were different when they were put in place.

There are currently no signs at the north end of Potomac Loop to indicates there is a school nearby. Public Works staff have no record of action to establish a school zone or school zone speed limit in the Potomac Elementary School area.

State law requires local agencies to consult with the school district when establishing a school zone. Since there is no existing designation, the superintendent took the request to the school board. Support for the school zone and school zone speed limit was unanimous. The superintendent then submitted the request to Public Works staff, followed by the county commissioners approving a public hearing period on March 26. The hearing will close and the county commissioners will vote on the proposed resolution during a public hearing meeting on Thursday, April 23.

Project Timeline

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28.

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by Wednesday, April 22, by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Erik Dickson, 406-258-3772

Important Links and Documents

Potomac Elementary School Existing Signs Map

Potomac Elementary School Existing Signs Photos

Potomac Elementary School Proposed Signs Map

Potomac School Zone Final Resolution