MISSOULA, Mont. — City officials in Missoula are working to make local commutes easier and more efficient by updating the Long-Term Road Plan. The city is in the process of revising its Long Range-Transportation Plan, a document that outlines goals and proposed projects designed to improve transportation infrastructure over the next several years.
The Long Range-Transportation Plan is updated every four years and serves as a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing the transportation network in Missoula. Its primary goal is to create a more connected, multimodal transportation system that ensures access, mobility, and resilience for residents and visitors alike. The current plan includes several key projects, such as improvements to Russell Street, Higgins Avenue, and Scott Street, all of which are part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve critical transportation corridors.
Aaron Wilson, the City of Missoula’s Transportation Planning Manager, noted that the work on the 2024 update builds upon the progress made during the previous plan cycle. “The last three or four years we’ve done a lot from our 2020 list, so this is just a continuation of that,” Wilson said. “We’ll check off a number of these in the next four years.”
The updated plan includes a total of 193 recommended projects. These projects were selected based on community feedback, agency analysis, and the feasibility of financing. Federal funding plays a significant role in determining when specific projects will begin, as the availability of grants can influence the timeline. As a result, some projects are marked as “grant-contingent” or “illustrative,” which provides flexibility to adapt to changes in funding opportunities.
Projects are prioritized according to several key factors, including safety, multimodal connectivity, the preservation of existing infrastructure, and support for active transportation initiatives. While the immediate focus is on projects that are more likely to receive funding in the near term, Wilson highlighted that some midterm projects could be moved up the timeline if additional funds become available.
“The near term are more likely to get funded or a project or two that’s in the midterm that would jump up to near term because we have a little bit of extra money,” Wilson explained.
As Missoula continues to grow, city leaders hope that the Long Range-Transportation Plan will help address the evolving needs of residents, ensuring that transportation infrastructure can support a vibrant, expanding community for years to come.
