The Livingston City Commission voted to award a construction contract to Askin Construction for pedestrian safety improvements along Park Street, including rapid‑flashing beacons at Main & Park and Park & Geyser and a limited curb extension on the north side of Park Street.

City Manager Grant Gager told the commission the project is funded in part by state House Bill 355, the State Local Infrastructure Partnership Act, private donations and a small city contribution. “The project specifically includes the installation of rapid flashing beacons at the Main And Park intersection, and then also at the Park And Geyser Intersection,” Gager said during the presentation. He said the plan and drawings reflect two years of design work with the Montana Department of Transportation.

Supporters said the lights will improve pedestrian safety at two busy non‑signalized crossings. Gager noted the installations appear in the city’s Trails and Active Transportation Plan and that the curb extension mirrors an existing extension near the depot: “That curb extension really replicates what happens about a block down the street,” he said.

Opponents and several business and emergency‑response speakers urged the commission to remove the proposed curb extension on the north side. Leslie Beigel of the visitor center said she and MDT staff were concerned the bulb‑out would narrow the roadway and obstruct delivery trucks and horse trailers during high winds and snow events. Resident Camp O’Neil and others said the plans were not visible to the public before the consent agenda and asked for more outreach. A number of speakers worried snowplow drivers and MDT maintenance crews would be disadvantaged by the curb extension.

Gager told the commission MDT reviewed and approved the bid set for the work and that he had a July meeting with the transportation director, who signed off on the north‑side curb extension. He said MDT staff and the city’s street superintendent had reviewed plowing and maintenance implications; the city noted the north curb extension would not be wider than the existing depot curb and that lane widths in the corridor remain consistent.

Commissioners said they had long considered pedestrian safety along Park Street and cited the growth policy and active transportation plan as background for the project. Vice Chair Newts and other commissioners said the rapid‑flashing beacons are a proven safety measure and that the curb extension had been negotiated with MDT. Commissioner Willich emphasized transparency and urged staff to make design materials easier to find in future packets.

The commission approved the construction contract for $190,376 (Askin Construction) and authorized the chair and city manager to sign. Motion: move to approve general services agreement 20231 and construction contract with Askin Construction; Motion by Lyons, second by Kale; vote: unanimous.

The city will install the flashing beacons and the limited curb extension, and staff said they will monitor snowplow and large‑vehicle operations after construction and coordinate further with MDT if adjustments are needed.