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Neighborhood Council #7 backs MDOT traffic study and seeks crosswalk on River Drive South
Summary
On June 8, 2026 Neighborhood Council #7 approved a letter endorsing residents' requests for an MDOT traffic study on River Drive South and urged a designated crosswalk to improve pedestrian safety; MDOT said the study could take more than a year, while a crosswalk could be handled more quickly.
Neighborhood Council #7 voted June 8, 2026 to approve a letter supporting constituents' requests that the Montana Department of Transportation conduct a traffic study on River Drive South and to seek establishment of a designated crosswalk.
Jim Wingerter of the Montana Department of Transportation addressed the council and residents about vehicle speeds and pedestrian safety along the corridor. Council minutes record Wingerter saying, "Results could be more than a year away," when speaking about a full traffic study, and that a request for a crosswalk "could be handled more quickly." Rep. Jane Weber distributed copies of a support letter she wrote to MDOT asking for the study and for a lower posted speed where pedestrian and commercial activity has increased.
The council's approved letter, prepared by Neighborhood Council #7 and addressed to the City of Great Falls Street and Traffic Department, notes recent business expansion on River Drive South — citing Golden Triangle Gym, Lit'l Duke University, New City Church and Opportunity Bank — and describes how speed limits transition from 30 to 40 miles per hour near New City Church. The letter requests a traffic study that the council said it hopes will lead to a lower speed limit and a designated crosswalk.
Sandra (Sandy) Rice said the MDOT-support letter was approved "as written" and that she would send copies to Eric Boyd, Jim Wingerter, Lonnie Hill and Chris Gaub. The council recorded that it will be kept informed of MDOT's progress on both the study and any crosswalk installation.
The action recorded in the minutes was an approval of the support letter to MDOT; no formal timeline for MDOT's study was provided beyond Wingerter's statement that a study setup and monitoring process could extend beyond a year. The council did not adopt ordinances or change municipal speed limits; any regulatory change would require subsequent action by the city or state transportation authorities.
Next steps noted in the meeting minutes: MDOT will monitor the request and provide updates to the council; Neighborhood Council #7 members and community supporters will continue outreach to city and state staff.
