Sha-Ron Parking Access
JAG Grading and Paving completed construction on the new parking lot across from Edgewood Drive on Hwy 200 in East Missoula, near the Sha-Ron Fishing Access site in June, and the lot is now open for river users.
On June 8, the commissioners also approved a 'no parking' resolution along Highway 200 near this parking access site.
JAG Grading and Paving completed construction on the new parking lot across from Edgewood Drive on Hwy 200 in East Missoula, near the Sha-Ron Fishing Access site in June, and the lot is now open for river users.
On June 8, the commissioners also approved a 'no parking' resolution along Highway 200 near this parking access site.
Missoula County built an overflow parking lot and connected a pedestrian trail directly northeast of the Sha-Ron Fishing Access Site on the Clark Fork River in East Missoula. One of the most popular river access sites for floaters, boaters and other recreationalists in the summer, the Sha-Ron Fishing Access Site has a small, 25-vehicle parking lot, so many users parked their vehicles along the shoulder of Highway 200. Though this was legal at the time, it created an unsafe environment for pedestrians and vehicles on the narrow roadway, which has speed limits of 45 and 55 mph.
This project was a collaboration between County departments and Montana state agencies, like Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Department of Transportation. The new lot holds 68 vehicles, and it connects to the river from the parking lot itself and via a 0.2-mile shared-use path leading to the access at the Sha-Ron Fishing Access Site. The parking area will have bathroom facilities and a new bus stop along Highway 200 between the two parking lot entrances.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages the site through a recreation permit issued from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which owns the right-of-way. Missoula County maintains the trail between the overflow parking areas. Mountain Line will maintain the bus stop.
The Montana Transportation Commission determines the speed limit on Highway 200 in close coordination with MDT. The last speed study of this stretch of highway was conducted by MDT in 2019. There was no recommendation then to lower the speed limit; however, the construction of this parking lot may influence people's driving habits enough to provide data that may justify lowering the speed limit in the future. Missoula County did submit a formal request to MDT to complete a speed zone study in November 2022. The study is focused on Highway 200 between East Missoula and the intersection of Tamarack Road/Juniper Drive. MDT will likely complete data collection in this summer and have a complete study and recommendation in late 2023 or early 2024.
View the frequently asked questions in the right sidebar for more information.
Share your thoughts on the design!
JAG Grading and Paving completed construction on the new parking lot across from Edgewood Drive on Hwy 200 in East Missoula, near the Sha-Ron Fishing Access site in June, and the lot is now open for river users.
On June 8, the commissioners also approved a 'no parking' resolution along Highway 200 near this parking access site.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-4818 Email sstack@missoulacounty.us -
Phone 406-258-4981 Email ccrowser@missoulacounty.us
Documents
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Floodplain development permit application (30 MB) (pdf)
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Zoning compliance response letter (294 KB) (pdf)
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Floodplain development approval (457 KB) (pdf)
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Design of Sha-Ron Parking Lot (5.48 MB) (pdf)
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Speed Study Request - Hwy 200 - 2022 (210 KB) (pdf)
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FWP News Release: Management of proposed, expanded parking for Sha-Ron Fishing Access Site out for review.pdf (139 KB) (pdf)
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FWP Approval of Sha-Ron Lot Management (3.17 MB) (pdf)
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Speed Study 2019.pdf (1.05 MB) (pdf)
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Speed Study Data 2019.pdf (253 KB) (pdf)
I live near where this will be created and feel that the speed limit should be reduced to 35 past Marshall grade road if this proposed parking lot is going to go in. I also think a turn lane should be added to the highway for people pulling into this proposed parking lot. I think that the plan is good. However, that area has been a nesting area for geese for a long time. The current situation with people parking in the highway is very dangerous and I’ve come very close to hitting intoxicated people fumbling around their vehicles.
It is way too dangerous having people flying past at 55mph. The speed limit should be lowered to 35mph past Marshall Canyon.
The 35 mph speed limit zone needs to be extended beyond Marshall Canyon Road. This parking lot project is an expensive bandaid to the real problem here which is the speed limit increasing from 35 mph to 55 mph in a residential zone with multiple recreational accesses!
This looks like a great project, thank you for taking it on! Hopefully it can also have very clear signage for use, directions and best practices.
Love this project!!! I always worry every summer when driving by Sha-Ron about pedestrians running out into traffic. This will help with traffic and injuries. Great project.
Sounds good!