Sha-Ron Parking Access

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On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the commissioners at their administrative public meeting approved a contract with JAG Grading and Paving for construction of the new parking lot. Construction begins April 17, 2023, and will last until June 2023.

Missoula County commissioners opened a hearing on May 25 to consider adopting a "no parking" resolution for the area along Highway 200 near the Sha-Ron river access site to reduce the risk of people parking along the highway during the season of peak river recreation now that there will be a parking structure to accommodate river recreators. The follow up meeting to make a decision on this will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Join the meeting in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County courthouse annex, or via Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and meeting link to join.

Missoula County will build an overflow parking lot and connected 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, Sha-Ron currently has a small, 25-vehicle parking lot, so many users park their vehicles along the shoulder of Highway 200. Though this is legal, it creates an unsafe environment for pedestrians and vehicles on the narrow roadway, which has speed limits of 45 and 55 mph.

This project is a collaboration between County departments and Montana state agencies. The new lot will hold 68 vehicles, reducing the number parked along the highway, and it will connect to the river access via a 0.2-mile shared-use path. The parking area will have portable bathroom facilities screened by a fence or barrier. A new bus stop will be located along Highway 200 between the two parking lot entrances.

Planned construction of the project is scheduled for spring 2023 and is estimated to take about two months. The goal is to have the parking lot available for the summer 2023 float season.

Once construction is complete, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will manage the site through a recreation permit issued from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which owns the right-of-way. Missoula County will maintain 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.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the commissioners at their administrative public meeting approved a contract with JAG Grading and Paving for construction of the new parking lot. Construction begins April 17, 2023, and will last until June 2023.

Missoula County commissioners opened a hearing on May 25 to consider adopting a "no parking" resolution for the area along Highway 200 near the Sha-Ron river access site to reduce the risk of people parking along the highway during the season of peak river recreation now that there will be a parking structure to accommodate river recreators. The follow up meeting to make a decision on this will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Join the meeting in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County courthouse annex, or via Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and meeting link to join.

Missoula County will build an overflow parking lot and connected 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, Sha-Ron currently has a small, 25-vehicle parking lot, so many users park their vehicles along the shoulder of Highway 200. Though this is legal, it creates an unsafe environment for pedestrians and vehicles on the narrow roadway, which has speed limits of 45 and 55 mph.

This project is a collaboration between County departments and Montana state agencies. The new lot will hold 68 vehicles, reducing the number parked along the highway, and it will connect to the river access via a 0.2-mile shared-use path. The parking area will have portable bathroom facilities screened by a fence or barrier. A new bus stop will be located along Highway 200 between the two parking lot entrances.

Planned construction of the project is scheduled for spring 2023 and is estimated to take about two months. The goal is to have the parking lot available for the summer 2023 float season.

Once construction is complete, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will manage the site through a recreation permit issued from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), which owns the right-of-way. Missoula County will maintain 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.

  • Let us know your thoughts on a "no parking" resolution along Highway 200 near the Sha-Ron river access site.

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    Missoula County commissioners opened a hearing on May 25 to consider adopting a "no parking" resolution for the area along Highway 200 near the Sha-Ron river access site to reduce the risk of people parking along the highway during the season of peak river recreation now that there will be a parking structure to accommodate river recreators. The follow up meeting to make a decision on this will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8. Join the meeting in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County courthouse annex, or via Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and meeting link to join.

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  • Give us your feedback on the floodplain development permit application

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    The comment period for the floodplain development permit application closed on Friday, Feb. 10.

    This new parking lot is located partially in the floodplain. The Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department is reviewing a floodplain development permit application from the Missoula County Public Works Department for work within the Clark Fork River floodplain. Public Works’ contractor will pave, grade, place fill and add the river access trail in this floodplain.

    The primary purpose of the floodplain development permit is to promote public health, safety and general welfare, minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards and promote wise use of the floodplain.

    The comment period for the floodplain development permit application closed on Friday, Feb. 10. Staff from the Planning, Development and Sustainability Office approved the floodplain development permit application. View the approval in the documents.

  • Share your thoughts on related zoning regulations

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The property is split-zoned under the Missoula County Zoning Regulations with Residential Zoning near the road and Resource, Open Lands Zoning near the river. As public agencies, Missoula County and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks were allowed to vary from the zoning regulations through a public forum. Pursuant to section 76-2-402, MCA, the Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on Oct. 27, 2022, to hear all comments and questions. Find the response letter from the involved agencies about the zoning compliance on this land.

Page last updated: 26 May 2023, 09:00 AM