Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Candidates back connectivity-first approach to boost walking, biking and pedestrian safety in Missoula
Summary
Forum candidates prioritized street designs that favor safety and connectivity, including safer crossings, sidewalks and mixed-use zoning to enable active transportation and reduce reliance on cars.
Missoula City Council candidates at the Oct. 29 forum emphasized improving sidewalks, safer street design and connectivity to encourage walking, biking and transit use across the city.
Daniel Carlino, who sponsored the city's Vision Zero transportation safety policy, said safer street design and mixed-use zoning would make walking and biking more viable. "More people will be able to walk, bike, roll places if they feel safe in doing so," Carlino said.
Jennifer Savage focused on missing sidewalk links and walkability gaps: "I think the thing that I would sort of champion in this situation is connectivity. I think that we have a lot of sidewalks that don't go anywhere."
Candidates also debated who pays for sidewalks and how redevelopment districts are used. Mike Nugent defended the role of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA), saying it has built miles of sidewalks and trails (including the Bitterroot Trail) and that creating more MRA districts can concentrate funds for connectivity projects. David Quattrocci called for prioritizing sidewalks and infrastructure in underinvested neighborhoods rather than expecting benefits to "trickle down."
Pedestrian-safety measures discussed included quick-build roundabouts, traffic-calming bulb-outs and neighborhood traffic circles. Carlino said he had doubled the budget for quick-build neighborhood traffic projects in a past amendment.
Why it matters: Candidates connected safer street design and better connectivity to public safety, reduced car dependence, and greater access to jobs and services, especially for residents without cars.
Ending: Candidates said implementation requires targeted capital investment and alignment with land-use changes to put homes closer to everyday destinations.
