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Council questions MDT speed recommendation, agrees to send letter opposing increase through downtown corridor
Summary
Council and police raised safety concerns about a Montana Department of Transportation study recommending raising a downtown 25 mph zone to 30 mph; staff and police said MDT omitted local crash and citation data and noted increased stopping distances for pedestrians; council agreed to let the mayor sign a draft letter opposing the change and to copy county commissioners.
Councilors and staff discussed a joint study presented by the Montana Department of Transportation that recommended raising a 25‑mph zone on Highway 2 to 30 mph through a busy pedestrian area. Police and staff argued the MDT analysis relied primarily on Montana Highway Patrol data and did not include local collision, response or citation data from Columbia Falls or the county sheriff, which they said undercounted local pedestrian exposure.
Staff (chief representative) raised pedestrian‑safety concerns, citing the park, unmarked crossings and documented stopping‑distance increases when a speed limit rises from 25 to 30 mph. A councilor asked whether the city’s opposition would prevent MDT from changing the limit; staff replied that MDT has final authority but that city and county comments are an important part of the public record sent to the traffic commission.
Councilors discussed whether the county had been included in the study; staff said it appeared to have been a joint request and that the city’s draft letter had been copied to county commissioners. The mayor was asked to sign the letter and council indicated consensus for the mayor to do so.
No formal vote was taken on a resolution; staff will transmit the final signed letter and continue to coordinate with the county and the traffic commission.
