South Avenue Safe Streets

Let us know what to prioritize for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for South Avenue.

Missoula County and the City of Missoula received a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant earlier this year that will fund much-needed safety improvements on South Avenue between Reserve Street and Clements Road and on Clements Road between South and North avenues.

City Council approved the grant agreement on Oct. 16, 2023, which could help pay for reconstruction on these roads in the Target Range and Orchard Homes neighborhoods southwest of Missoula, including:

• adding a two-way left-turn lane, intersection crossings, sidewalk and bike lane on the north side of South Avenue
• connecting the shared-use path on the south side of South Avenue
• connecting the shared-use path on Clements Road between South and North avenues. View plans in the "documents" section.

This area experienced 113 crashes between 2016 and 2020. These improvements would help minimize crashes in the area by providing improved crossings, left and right turn lanes, and biking and walking connections from multiple schools, shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, a medical center and Fort Missoula Regional Park.

In addition to improving traffic safety along the city and county portions of these roads, adding options for non-motorized travel to South Avenue and Clements Road will improve connections to places people want to bike and walk to, helping more residents access the area’s amenities.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant is a new federal grant designed to eliminate or significantly reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries for all users through development of a safety action plan that informs new construction projects. Residents are encouraged to let staff know what they should prioritize as the project progresses, particularly on the aspects along Clements Avenue and the county portion of South Avenue, which is west of 36th Street.

County and City staff also held an open house to provide information, answer questions and gather public comment on this and other potential projects in the area on Sept. 7, 2022, where residents provided input.