Third Street and Clements Road Complete Street Project in Target Range
Rather than exploring a full complete street concept along Third Street and Clements Road, staff will instead look at a shared use path along this section of road.
After hearing concerns from area residents, Missoula County staff led a multiple-month engagement effort 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 considered, 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.
After multiple months of engagement, rather than exploring a full complete street concept along Third Street and Clements Road, staff will instead look at a shared use path along this section of road. This project is already identified in the Pathways and Trails Masterplan, which you can view online. Because funding is limited, there is no timeline for that path now; however, staff will keep it on their radar as future funding opportunities become available.
Missoula County, the City of Missoula and the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization hosted an open house on March 7, 2024, at the Hawthorne School gym, to hear from residents about this, and this Missoula County Voice page has been up from winter until the summer 2024.
Let us know your thoughts about a "complete street" concept.
Rather than exploring a full complete street concept along Third Street and Clements Road, staff will instead look at a shared use path along this section of road.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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 am in favor of adding a multi-use walk/bike path along one side of 3rd Street from Clements to Reserve. I agree with others that such a path would be much safer than trying to bike along 3rd St. I would prefer to maintain as much of the rural feel of the area as possible by not building such formal infrastructure as depicted in the two drawings. An improved road surface along with a multi-use path separated from car traffic would be my preference.
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!