Missoula in Motion previews Downtown SAM, Bear Tracks ramp and Reserve Street safety plan; funding remains uncertain

Missoula in Motion staff described several forthcoming pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects in Missoula and emphasized that most remain in planning until funding is secured.

Claire outlined the Downtown SAM (safety, access and mobility) project as a renovation of the downtown corridor that will add improved bicycle facilities, sidewalks and safety measures. She said an open house will be scheduled for community input and further details will appear on the city’s engaged Missoula pages.

On access to the riverfront, Claire said the Downtown SAM design includes a ramp off the northeast side of Bear Tracks Bridge with a switchback intended to minimize disturbance to park space while improving access to trails and Caras Park. "The hope was not to disturb too much of the park space and provide better access for walkers and rollers," she said, and officials encouraged attendees to review the design at the open house.

Attendees also raised Reserve Street concerns. Claire noted the Reserve Street safety plan was adopted and reflects public input and crash-data analysis, but she emphasized the plan’s projects are not yet funded: "The way these things work is you have to do the plan first, then you can go out and apply for some federal funding for those projects," she said. Speakers recommended that the city pursue federal grants to pay for identified improvements such as roundabouts and lower speed limits.

Claire flagged one recent funding development in another area: staff said a previously announced multi-million-dollar grant for East Missoula infrastructure that had been reported in the press was no longer available; presenters did not provide a named source or further details during the session.

The presentation did not include formal city actions; speakers urged residents to follow project pages for open-house dates, grant timelines and potential construction schedules.