Third Street and Clements Road Complete Street Project in Target Range
Let us know your thoughts or questions about staff looking into creating a “complete street” for Clements Rd. from North Ave. to Third St, and Third St. from Clements Rd. to Reserve St.
Drop by an open house between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Hawthorne School gym to learn about the complete street concept and let staff know your thoughts or questions.
After hearing concerns from area residents, Missoula County staff want to know if the surrounding Target Range neighbors and community support a “complete street” project on Third St. and Clements Rd. Currently, this roadway network has a “rural typical section,” meaning it is just a road with roadside drainage. A “complete street,” which is what staff are considering, includes curb and gutter for drainage, sidewalks and shared-use paths for bikes or other non-motorized users. This concept would most likely slow traffic down while providing a space for bikes, walkers and others who aren’t traveling by car.
Staff are only looking into this project, and no plans have been made. First, staff want to make sure members of the neighborhood and community agree with the idea and support moving forward. If the surrounding community supports the idea, staff will begin plans for the project. If the surrounding community opposes the idea, staff will not begin any plans for the project.
This project would not allow the City to annex more of the Target Range neighborhood, and annexation is not the goal of this project. This project is in response to comments from residents who feel the Third St. and Clements Rd. area feels unsafe with vehicles driving too fast and no area for bikes or other non-motorized traffic.
Two important sideboards with the project would be to minimize the need for any additional roadway easements and use the large amount of federal discretionary funding that is available to limit the need for local funding.
Missoula County, the City of Missoula and the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization are hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Hawthorne School gym where residents can come and ask questions, let staff know their thoughts and learn more about the project.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-4818 Email sstack@missoulacounty.us -
Phone 406-552-6668 Email wilsona@ci.missoula.mt.us
I do feel it would be beneficial to have a shared used path along 3rd street similar to what is currently in place along Clements. I don't think it would be necessary to add sidewalks, curbs, etc., except possibly to the city boundary.
I am in support of this project and prefer Option 2 because I believe children are safer and more comfortable riding their bikes separated from traffic (as am I). Thank you for continuing to improve the Target Range neighborhood's safety.
Many people (including me) love to walk or bike in this area and this is exciting to see!
I am happy to hear that steps are being taken to improve pedestrian infrastructure improvements along S 3rd St W and Clements Rd and support of “complete street” infrastructure. The current number of pedestrian users of this roadway is not an indication of the need for improvements as many people, myself included, actively avoid walking or biking in this area due to safety concerns and close-calls with vehicles. There is no shortage of data on the safety benefits of sidewalks, designated crossing areas, increased visibility, slower auto speeds, etc. for pedestrians. The National Highway Transportation Safety website lists predictability and walking on sidewalks as the top two safety improvements for pedestrians on roadways. The Montana Dept of Transportation has set goals to make pedestrian safety (outlined in the 2019 Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan) a priority. I would encourage and support efforts by the City of Missoula, Missoula County, and any other entity to provide matching funds and help improve this problem area.
I feel that both drawings are a little over designed. Keeping a more simple layout would benefit the community much more. Wouldnt a 10' bike/walking path on one side be sufficient. It seems that every plan wants bike lanes everywhere and they most often go unused. On any given day I may encounter a handful of bikes on my daily commute. These design seem to assume there are thousands of bikes on the road. When it comes to public expenditures we need to be more prudent with the funds and cater more to the larger use of our public ways. I agree that in a perfect would we could meet the needs of everyone. As far as the greenery, who is going to maintain these areas. As an example; I drive down South Ave every day and see the inconsistent manner in which these areas are maintained. I truly see the need for improvement I just want to see an effective us of our money
I don't think adding 30 more feet of asphault or concrete will do anything to slow down speeders / high school kids. I do agree that at least a path on one side or the other is needed but it can be a shared use path with the minimal traffic it would get between bikes, joggers, etc. Ask MCSO to patrol and hand out some very hefty speeding tickets for a while, and drivers, especially the kids that race around the neighborhood and the fort, might get the point. My guess is that most have figured out it's faster to duck off of Reserve at 3rd and race around Clements to get back to Big Sky or wherever they are going, than to sit in bumper to bumper traffic on Reserve to get to South. Then wait for 4 cars wanting to turn left onto Old Fort Road to get to the nursing home or hospital instead of going to Dearborn/Old Fort Rd, and then wait for another car to turn left into the Emergency room or the PT area of Community. The other option is to put in some additional stop signs.
Thank you for considering this option! I am in favor of the Complete Street design on Third Street, starting at the Reserve Street intersection and heading west to Clements. Our family stays active by walking and biking, and with a young child, it feels unsafe biking and walking along our stretch of Third Street with no sidewalk or bike lane. I would love to see these improvements made as soon as possible. Thank you!