The traffic problems on Russell Street are notorious. Traffic jams more than one mile long are typical most days. Air pollution and public convenience are degraded by bumper-to-bumper traffic. Public comments have clearly identified safety and mobility for all traffic modes as primary concerns. Congestion levels along the corridors are high and expected to worsen if we don’t make improvements.
Future traffic volume estimates, based on the community comprehensive plan, show that Russell between Broadway and Mount Avenue/South 14th Street and South Third between Russell and Reserve streets require substantial modifications to meet future travel demands. A two-lane or three-lane Russell Street simply does not have adequate capacity for future traffic operations, and federal agencies will not fund this project if it does not anticipate community growth.
The Missoula Public Works Department, in cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, initiated an eight-year EIS process to fully evaluate alternatives to address the current and projected safety and mobility concerns on Russell and South Third. The project proposed in this DEIS presents a real opportunity to address all of these problems.
Federal funding is available now to reconstruct the first phase of Russell from Broadway to South Third. The project includes complete reconstruction of the Broadway/Russell intersection, a new four-lane Clark Fork River bridge, turning lanes and landscaped medians, bike lanes, three trail under-crossings, a new traffic signal at Wyoming Street for better neighborhood access and new pavement, curbs and sidewalks to South Third Street. Future phases for reconstruction of Russell south of Third to Mount/South 14th will be scheduled as funding is available.
Reconstruction of South Third from Russell to Reserve is proposed to be accomplished with local funds and city street crews, and could begin within one year after the EIS process is complete. Again, construction is planned in phases and will take several years to complete. The South Third design includes two travel lanes and a new center turn lane, along with curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes. Future phases will complete the road with landscaped medians and roundabout intersections at Catlin Street, Johnson Street and Curtis Street/Shilling Street for enhanced neighborhood access.
The process has not been smooth or quick. We are now at a critical point in the EIS process, and public participation is key during the comment period. At the close of public comment Oct. 20, we will begin to respond to all comments and finalize the document.
We have listened. While it is virtually impossible to fully satisfy all constituents, we are sensitive to the many varied concerns that have arisen from this project. Some of the public comment has focused on not wanting a Reserve Street built on Russell, especially south of South Third Street through the neighborhood. The city does not want that either. The Stephens Avenue model, which was designed by the city’s Public Works Department, has been the common ground for design from the beginning of the EIS. We believe a Stephens-like road is a responsible solution that could address the problems of safety and mobility and meet the needs of our growing community while being sensitive to the neighborhoods close to the project.
The comment period for the Draft EIS is now open, and this represents an opportunity for all citizens interested in improving Russell and South Third to have a say on the project. Your opinion and comments are welcome and encouraged. The time is here to e-mail or speak up at the DEIS public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Franklin School, 1901 S. 10th St. W. An open house will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.
DEIS copies are available at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/eis_
ea.shtml, or call project coordinator Gregg Wood, at 552-6093 for more information.
I hope to see you at Wednesday’s public hearing, where you can speak your mind about this important community project.
Steve King is director of public works for the city of Missoula.
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