An Open Letter: Could Missoula’s Next Traffic Upgrade Be at Lower Miller Creek?

Dear State of Montana Department of Transportation and City of Missoula Public Works & Mobility Department, 

I appreciate the effort you are making to help help make Missoula safer for drivers and cyclists. It can’t be easy to deal with the increasing population and vehicles that go with it.  

Thank you for the recent installation of the new traffic signal on Orange Street and Cregg Lane with the intention of helping to make that area of Missoula safer for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  

Traffic Delays and Safety Concerns at Miller Creek

There is another intersection that could use some attention to help make it a better experience for both vehicles and pedestrians. No, it’s not on Reserve Street. It’s the intersection of Lower Miller Creek Road, Highway 93, and Old Highway 93. 

Recently, there was some work done in that area removing the old train tracks that ran across the Lower Miller Creek Road, which is an improvement. Could the departments now consider installing a designated turn signal on both the Lower Miller Creek Road and Old Highway 93 traffic signals? There is already a turn arrow on Highway 93 in both directions.  

How Small Fixes Could Make a Big Difference

The amount of traffic in that area only seems to be increasing, and it’s getting more difficult for traffic to enter Highway 93 from the side streets. During afternoon hours when school is getting out and traffic is at its peak, I have sat through three cycles of the traffic signal waiting for my turn to merge onto Highway 93.

While that gives me time to practice my air drumming while listening to the radio, it stresses drivers out and makes them take unnecessary chances trying to make the light. I have seen close calls with vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles in that area on more than one occasion.  

I have submitted a form reporting a traffic safety concern on the city of Missoula's website. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Chris Wolfe