Transforming the Heart of Missoula
The synergy of the Higgins Avenue corridor study, bridge deck improvement project and the renaming of the Higgins Bridge to honor the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is the opportunity of a generation
Letting it flow
Higgins runs through the heart of Missoula, crosses the Clark Fork River and is a cultural center. It’s time we transformed the street and let it flow.
Higgins is Blocked and Dangerous
The current configuration of Higgins- from Broadway to Brooks- does not work for our community. Four lanes, undivided, in the heart of Missoula, leads to crashes, congestion and road rage. For drivers, left turns block the through movement or are prohibited altogether. For people on bicycles, being doored, sideswiped or T-boned happens way too often. People that walk risk the pedestrian double threat and face fast, loud and distracted drivers. We now have an opportunity of a generation to change this unsustainable situation and make for a great street.
Making A Great Street, Letting Higgins Flow.
The picture on the left is N. Higgins. N. Higgins use to be a dangerous 4-lane design. The community came together and changed the street. We can do the same with sections to the south, from Broadway to Brooks. A 2-lane or 3-lane design improves traffic flow, allows for protected bike lanes and creates a pedestrian and people experience worthy of the hearth of Missoula .
