Missoula leaders weigh next step for downtown S.A.M project

MISSOULA, Mont. — A major downtown transportation project in Missoula moved closer to a key decision as city leaders considered whether to advance it into final design and implementation.

The Downtown Safety, Access and Mobility project included changes to Higgins Avenue, Front and Main streets, downtown traffic signals and parts of the riverfront trail system.

City leaders said the plan aimed to make downtown easier and safer to navigate for people driving, walking, biking or using a wheelchair. They also said the changes were meant to serve a growing Missoula and expand transportation options downtown.

The project manager described the goal as giving people more ways to move through the area.

"So if you want to bike downtown, or if you want to park your car and walk through downtown, whatever it may be, these improvements will allow all users to do that. It's really about creating choice. So creating a choice of how you want to get to and operate within the downtown area," said Megan McMeekin.

Some residents and business owners questioned whether the project’s benefits would justify its cost and impact on access during and after construction.

One downtown business owner said those concerns centered on customers who depend on driving into the area.

"But if all the people who rely on cars to get downtown can't come downtown, then how many businesses are going to be able to survive with that loss of revenue? I mean, just getting through the four years of construction is going to be a huge challenge. But after the construction, if there’s traffic congestion and parking issues, people aren’t going to come downtown," said Danielle Petrie.

City leaders said public feedback had helped shape the project during the planning process. They also said future funding decisions would still go through public review and approval.

As leaders weighed the next phase of the SAM project, the discussion remained focused on balancing safety, mobility and the needs of downtown businesses.