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Missoula’s Downtown SAM Project Transforms Streets with Citizen Input
Missoula’s Downtown SAM project reshapes streets with input from 18 citizens.
The City of Missoula’s public works and mobility director, Jeremy Keene, led the Downtown Safety, Access, and Mobility (SAM) project with guidance from a citizens’ working group. This collaboration aims to balance multiple downtown interests, influencing infrastructure changes that could affect urban mobility and community character.
The group’s input shaped plans to convert Front and Main streets to two-way traffic, reduce Higgins Street to three lanes between Brooks Street, add bike lanes, and retime signals. Karen Sipey, a working group member advocating for urban forestry, emphasized a goal of net zero tree loss across the project area. Keene acknowledged that the group’s diverse perspectives improved the project design. The plan is expected to be finalized later in 2026, with construction possibly starting in early to mid-2027.
As Missoula finalizes these changes, similar Montana cities might watch how community engagement influences urban planning. Given Montana’s value on open spaces and walkable downtowns, projects like SAM could set precedents for balancing infrastructure upgrades with preserving local character and natural elements.
Community members play large role in shaping downtown’s transformation
By Zach Volheim, KPAX News
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