Transportation officials present Higgins Avenue plans to Missoula City Council

A proposed reduction in vehicle lanes and the addition of protected bike lanes on Higgins Avenue could reduce crashes by 50% while boosting business within the corridor, city officials told members of the City Council this week.

But it could also eliminate some parking and add an additional minute to a driver’s commute at peak hours, transportation planners added.

After years of discussion and the release of a new Downtown Master Plan, transportation officials with the city this month said they’d settled upon a preferred concept to improve the safety and aesthetics of downtown’s prized corridor.

Martin Kidston