Summer 2010 update: Due to public support, the road was chip sealed again and restriped to give more safety to bicyclists and improve livability for several residents.  Two blocks were changed back to parallel parking from the diagonal parking, and the center line was shifted one foot to the south to increase bike safety.  The two changed blocks were on the more residential east end.  This seems like a good 'meeting in the middle' for those that want more parking and those that want better bicycle facilities and less cars on the street.

Background:

Spruce Street, from Madison to Higgins, underwent changes in late summer of 2009.  MIST opposed the changes due to decreased bicycle safety and the lack of pubic input on the project.

The road was changed from two travel lanes, two bike lanes and parallel parking on both sides of the street to two travel lanes, two bike lanes, one side with parallel parking and one side with diagonal parking.  This simple change of parallel parking to diagonal parking on one side meant that 10' would be taken away from the travel lanes and bicycle lanes.

Parallel parking generally takes up 8' of width of street while diagonal takes up about 18' of width.

While Spruce St. used to have some of the best bike lanes in Missoula (at 6.5' to 7' in width), with little chance of being 'doored,' the street now has several safety issues.

Initital Summary Letter and Diagram by MIST, Given to Residents

Spruce Pictures- A 14 page document with pictures and captions to explain the on-the-ground situation

Drivers use the bike lane to drive in due to snow piling in the center of the street- before the City narrowed the bike and driving lanes, this was not an issue.

Turning around, looking east on East Spruce, more drivers are forced to use the bike lane (the left side of the video).

The view from a bicycle seat

more road projects