[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6166674,"mediaKeyId","5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2","parentId",5415115,"title","City of Missoula outlines multimodal plan: Brooks BRT, Downtown Sam, rightsizing and long‑range funding gaps","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",1450000,"endMs",2048000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2&start=1450&end=2048","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2/thumbnail_1450000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166674/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/City-of-Missoula-outlines-multimodal-plan-Brooks-BRT-Downtown-Sam-rightsizing-and-longrange-funding-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166674-a9ce5cf6a3a4dda69afd5afe7dc3c4f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436740&Signature=N0EGVwZB75o3wWC9zAMK-Q6rMPy5DCnOj8vCF5MKrzyiOBUEO3EyR8N02juq46p54RiG4ANnNHvdllbewiOBaAJ6-3VlHK83V4qysdtjqMw3RjBRBB97rlOiaRkjNagPT3qrFnsucpn7S0nmLGRBubIoFzpHuJ1zDvEw4ifKuHTL4N-QmbR1xuf6-gBjrIdJmxHMuXTCRWXfxWaQPhXIfjyr9J3foCf9KarhQ4-sXC5UixNoCHpY01OaWqS0Au8U2i5SfJrQH~ygT7Xm6aCnxU6gukf2Qyu1UNnb52vhpwEmn0fVuBeG6Dz3~KzdlbJIxw50Os4E4Wic9WgpMiOPuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-07-18T02:58:04.28Z","article","Jeremy Keane, director of public works and mobility for the City of Missoula, told City Club Missoula that the city faces growing congestion and limited funding while pursuing a mix of large reconstructions and smaller multimodal projects.

Keane said Missoula’s long‑range transportation plan identifies roughly $788,000,000 in projects over 25 years but that available funding programs support about $293,000,000 of that total; the city expects to be able to build about one third of the identified projects in that period. He described an approach that prioritizes multimodal options, compact neighborhoods and safety rather than widening roads where feasible.

Major projects and multimodal priorities

Keane highlighted several projects underway or planned: the Brooks Corridor conceptual work that studied bus rapid transit (BRT) service with 15‑minute frequency and fixed stations; Downtown Sam (rehabilitation of downtown streets, signal optimization and creating bike lanes on Higgins); Orange‑Craig traffic signal and Scott & Phillips roundabout (a short concentrated construction window he said aims to complete work quickly during a school break); South Avenue improvements (curb, sidewalk, bike facilities and a turn lane expected for construction in 2027 in partnership with the county); and a future upgrade to the Broadway/California/Toole intersection (signal or roundabout options being evaluated for improved pedestrian safety).

Keane framed some street conversions as “rightsizing” rather than lane removal for the sake of removal: narrower cross sections can create space for left turn lanes, bike facilities and parking that better serve downtown circulation, he said. He called the 20‑minute neighborhood concept — that daily needs should be reachable within a 20‑minute trip by walking, biking or transit — a guiding principle.

Coordination, governance and public engagement

Keane and MDT staff described coordination through the MPO and policy bodies; Keane said the Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee (TPCC) and technical committees (TTAC) align projects, funding and priorities across the city, county, Mountain Line, the University of Montana and MDT. He emphasized public engagement through the long‑range plan, updated every five years, and project‑level outreach as the means to prioritize competing projects.

Questions from the audience addressed Miller Creek access, potential new interchanges near Reserve/Scott and how projects account for events and seasonal traffic. Keane said some solutions — such as a bridge to Blue Mountain Road — had proven environmentally difficult and costly in the past and that interim strategies focus on improving existing routes and intersections.

What officials said

Jeremy Keane, Director of Public Works and Mobility, City of Missoula: “If people can make shorter trips, they can make those trips more easily by other modes, walking and biking, taking the bus.”

Ending

Keane urged public participation on Engage Missoula and the city’s public works pages for project updates and noted the challenge of prioritizing hundreds of projects with constrained funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Club Missoula Presents - July 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Missoula’s public works director described a suite of multimodal projects and long‑range funding limits, emphasizing ‘rightsizing’ streets, a Brooks Corridor bus rapid transit vision and the Downtown Sam reconstruction at a City Club Missoula forum.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166680,"MDT outlines $74 million Russell Street grant, pavement program and wildlife‑crossing studies for Missoula district",447,864000,1311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2&start=864&end=1311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2/thumbnail_864000.jpg","/articles/6166680/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/MDT-outlines-74-million-Russell-Street-grant-pavement-program-and-wildlifecrossing-studies-for-Missoula-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166680-34972e84f069bfc97da999e88cd1c01d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436740&Signature=JQUBhYCfF4gDEhC-AhLlTJbY0Cxw-6ifWsGHJpn-I8AjRMsEm4WzFKIWx0Slcs2nt3Zio61UNgLNQhvEiYsLrJFMOAC17sGVRqBBOAAKm0WoJNjBWD-NLxAY7SCrjswiuK1ZzE08zbiIgXcz8fuMSsohwV78l4B2uk4dsjpJ7pdf-DL9lBPxJj0BvHl0f72ZMZdlUASBiJmeVjgcg7ZasIH808FI-L7fklhqIbO7ckctumwKfqAEo9uHVrOr94II21jZ8OWr0-Fpbvl5bEmtnFBTQYuqMTXWBk4K1TkHPEfppuHvW3vR0e-sQT6l8UfjKE08fSlfpXI8~jvaOkHHyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joel Boucher, pre‑construction engineer for District 1 at the Montana Department of Transportation, outlined a slate of projects that MDT plans in the Missoula district, including pavement preservation that will be let August 21 and a larger, grant‑funded Russell Street reconstruction.

MDT said a pavement preservation package will target multiple city streets — Reserve Street south of Brooks, Beckwith Avenue (Higgins to Arthur), East Broadway east of Van Buren, South Third (Reserve to Russell), Mullen Road (Reserve to Frey) and Toole Avenue (Spruce to Madison between West and East Broadway) — with the goal of preserving asphalt that remains in generally good condition. Boucher said the work is coordinated with the City of Missoula.

Russell Street and other major projects

Boucher described a successful grant application for Russell Street that he said secured about $74,000,000; those funds are targeted for a project that will increase capacity from three to five lanes on Russell from Dakota to Mount and rebuild intersections including Broadway and Russell. He said the grant is expected to be obligated by 2028 with construction in 2029–2030.

Other projects in MDT’s pipeline that Boucher discussed include the Orange Street Tunnel rehabilitation (replacement of outer beams, drainage fixes and concrete patching, with funding identified for 2027), removal of Bonner Street bridge piers in coordination with BNSF and a planned consultant procurement for pier removal, and a series of wildlife‑crossing feasibility studies.

Wildlife crossing funding approach

On wildlife crossings, Boucher said MDT is pursuing studies and projects in two overlapping corridors — one extending past the Y to Garrison and another in the 6‑Mile Creek corridor. He emphasized that MDT is open to crossings but that funding is the challenge: “What we’re doing is we’re looking for alternative ways to fund this,” he said, citing grants, public‑private partnerships and NGO partnerships as possible approaches. The 6‑Mile Creek idea grew from a multi‑stakeholder proposal to replace an underpass with a bridge structure and add fencing.

What officials said

Joel Boucher, Pre‑construction Engineer, MDT District 1: “We set aside a certain amount of money that’s put just towards pavement preservation. ... The asphalt has to be in a fairly good condition and our goal with that is to keep that good asphalt good.”

Ending

Boucher encouraged residents to use MDT’s fact book and project maps (available via QR code he brought to the forum) and said several projects are coordinated with the City of Missoula and the metropolitan planning organization.","Montana Department of Transportation District 1 previewed pavement resurfacing work slated for August bids, a $74 million grant for Russell Street capacity improvements and multiple wildlife‑crossing studies, MDT officials told City Club Missoula.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166683,"Missoula Airport to close to fixed‑wing traffic for 127‑hour runway rehab as $127 million terminal project nears completion",2982,239000,3221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2&start=239&end=3221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415115-9b8d68c21f3d56d6868fe88c49bd57d2/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6166683/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-Airport-to-close-to-fixedwing-traffic-for-127hour-runway-rehab-as-127-million-terminal-project-nears-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166683-0466cf2fa8a4f5f3358a88429b35975a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436740&Signature=B2SKM2M8BJCnshlQFAujFbyxCff~pnGUbWHmqYnRSGcwyxUBueayXsW7sQf2dkgOpX-h42hgUFNdAqBNkURCo7Thrj~UBDjbHOMWmU5ktLCo7fawCqaOQpd4FLLmek-xbXJqo9jAhKL8nxa12CEOTjEKpHHvT2KdrMh1hoglwaB-Rutkfa1nl2yGgwg01S-PFO-spiskz5SerdCPJ1Nn4zKLkh2dCFGNfTwozA9p5YnYdCstYVbOOrO4wGool7DJ6bw6XvminxS5Ka84~qkpZRkTdmQay60YoQ7pzvHLrLQLt195qHShBr3scXp6ZKSTcz7eYcPMREgwWnLXcgLUdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula Montana Airport will be closed to all fixed‑wing aircraft for roughly 127 hours in September so crews can overlay the airport’s primary runway, replace approach lighting and perform other repairs, Tim Damro, deputy director of the Missoula County Airport Authority, said at City Club Missoula’s July forum.

The closure will allow crews to apply a three‑inch asphalt overlay, replace about 335 lights with LEDs, upgrade the approach lighting system to improve instrument approaches in fog, and perform deep maintenance across the newly opened terminal, Damro said. “There’s never a good time to shut down kind of our access to the outside world,” he said, but the airport opted for a single continuous closure to avoid “cold joints” and to produce a longer‑lasting pavement surface.

The runway rehabilitation project budget is about $20,000,000, covered primarily by federal discretionary funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a small airport match, Damro said. Separately, the airport’s multi‑phase terminal expansion has a total project budget of about $127,000,000. Damro said the terminal work has been funded with airport revenues and that Phase 3 (additional gates, concessions and final finishes) is due to wrap up in September, with some concessions opening in August.

Why it matters: the closure will temporarily move commercial operations and many aircraft to neighboring airports and could affect travel during the work window. The rehab is the first major runway overlay since 2008, and airport leaders said the timing was advanced to match available FAA discretionary funds.

Details and local impacts

Damro said the terminal expansion adds baggage claim capacity, new gates and an observation level; once the final phase is complete the airport can serve up to nine overnight aircraft versus three under the old configuration. The project also added a larger baggage claim, relocated rental car counters back inside the terminal, expanded deicing capability to reduce winter delays, and produced a building that airport staff say is designed to be sensory‑inclusive; Damro said the airport is sensory inclusive certified and staff are trained to assist travelers with hidden disabilities.

The airport will reconfigure parking used during construction to create roughly 300 additional spaces across economy, long‑term and premium options; Damro said economy parking will be priced at $8 per day. Concession openings planned for August will include a local coffee brand and a bar featuring multiple local craft beers, he added.

Operations and contingency planning

During the runway closure the airport will be closed to fixed‑wing aircraft; rotor‑wing operations such as Life Flight helicopters and firefighting helicopters will still be permitted, Damro said. He described coordination with airline partners and community stakeholders and said carriers will be asked to relocate to nearby airports during the closure window. “We will be closed to all fixed wing aircraft,” Damro said. He noted crews will work 24 hours a day during the closure to complete paving and striping as quickly as possible.

Master planning and future runways

In response to an audience question, Damro said the airport’s most recent master plan is complete and publicly posted; the process included evaluation of the crosswind runway and a possible parallel runway. He said the crosswind runway was recommended for decommissioning because changing wind patterns made it ineligible for federal funding. A previously studied parallel runway has been moved closer to the existing tower in the current plan so it would be practical for taxi operations and provide relief for general aviation without mixing with commercial traffic.

What officials said

Tim Damro, deputy director, Missoula County Airport Authority: “There’s never a good time to shut down kind of our access to the outside world, but we did try to work with everyone as best we could.”

Audience questions

At the forum, audience members asked about contingency planning for emergency or firefighting flights and whether the airport expansion would attract more airlines and lower fares. Damro said helicopters would still be accommodated and that the larger terminal and additional overnight parking capacity give the airport more options to recruit additional airline frequency. He also noted the airport recently secured a small community air service grant for year‑round service to Chicago.

Ending

Airport officials said they chose a single continuous closure to produce a higher‑quality pavement result and reduce long‑term maintenance. Travelers and local partners should expect a temporary shift of fixed‑wing operations during the September closure and can find updates and detailed schedules on the airport’s website as the date approaches.","Missoula Montana Airport will temporarily close to fixed‑wing aircraft for about 127 hours in September to overlay its primary runway and replace approach lighting, airport officials said at City Club Missoula. The runway rehab is part of separate work from a nearly completed $127 million terminal expansion funded by airport revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City of Missoula outlines multimodal plan: Brooks BRT, Downtown Sam, rightsizing and long‑range funding gaps

MDT outlines $74 million Russell Street grant, pavement program and wildlife‑crossing studies for Missoula district

Missoula Airport to close to fixed‑wing traffic for 127‑hour runway rehab as $127 million terminal project nears completion