MISSOULA – Winter turns into construction season here in Montana, and while the ADA accessibility project started in 2018 the final phase of the project started April 1 with sidewalk improvement taking place on the west side of Higgins from Front to Main streets.
“Were really excited to be able to finish out the Missoula ADA project this spring. It’s early April and we are starting construction like I said,” said Missoula District Construction Operations Engineer Donny Pfiefer. “We anticipate the work here on Higgins and on the Broadway segments this spring and into early summer. If things keep going forward, well like they have been, we think we will be finished by early July.”
A possible early-July wrap-up date is great news for Missoula residents because the downtown ADA project is in a high-traffic area.
“All these areas that were working in the Missoula ADA project are difficult areas. We worked last year on Orange Street this year on Higgins, Broadway, Fifth and Sixth,” Pfiefer said. “They are all heavily-trafficked areas most with pedestrian, bicyclists and obviously vehicles, too.”
So while the project is going on, officials say take your time through the construction areas and be aware of any potential traffic pattern changes in the area.
“There’s a lot going on with these construction projects and some of the detours and things change the way things look and feel, so just be really careful when you are walking through there. Pay extra attention, whether you are walking or driving through the construction zone, there’s changes and a lot going on right now,” Pfiefer added.
Road traffic in the area will be restricted down to single-lane closures with pedestrian detours during the project.
Reporting by Connor McCauley for MTN News
