Milwaukee Trail
The Russell to Reserve section of the Milwaukee Trail
Project Overview
Thanks to the hard work and collaborative efforts of River Road neighbors and the City of Missoula, the Emma Dickinson / River Road Neighborhood is now linked to Missoula's bicycle/commuter trail system via a 1-mile paved trail from Russell to Reserve. The trail was constructed with state and federal transportation funds by the City of Missoula. For the past several years, the neighborhood council and the city have been working together to bring more parks, trails and sustainable transportation options to the neighborhood.
Trail Details
The trail route loosely follows the former Milwaukee Road railroad bed over private property easements and city right-of-way. Several community-minded property owners have granted easements to make room for the trail which gives kids, commuters, cyclists, and citizens of all ages options for safe, healthy, off-street transportation. Where trail easements could not be obtained, the trail will follow existing public street right-of-ways. These easements, combined with city right-of-way, create the continuous 1-mile route. More details are available in the FAQ (PDF).
The trail will enhance livability and property values in the River Road neighborhood by providing pedestrian and bicycle access where none existed, and by enhancing and encouraging redevelopment of underutilized properties
Partners
- Design Team - WGM Group with Kent Watson and Associates for their excellent work in designing a
top notch trail in a tricky location.Team has worked under the direction of Parks and Recreation. - LS Jensen Construction
- River Road Neighborhood Council - support of the project and key role in
public process - Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA) - URD II TIF contribution toward the trail for Garfield Street to Russell Street
- Public Works & Engineering Departments - Coordination on design related issues, especially in regards to the on-street segments of the trail
Funding
State of Montana Community Transportation Enhancement Program and Recreational Trails Grant Program, Missoula Redevelopment Agency, Cash-in-lieu, Open Space Bond (acquisition).
Plans and More Information
The city is committed to working with private property owners to address any concerns about the trail and arrive at reasonable solutions. We'd like to hear from you. For more information on this project, contact the Parks and Trails Development Manager at 406-552-6264.
Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions about the River Road Neighborhood Segment of the Milwaukee Trail (PDF)
- Route Map with Route Descriptions (PDF)
- Detailed Construction Plans (PDF)
- Trail Plan with Profiles (PDF)
- Signing and Striping Plans (PDF)
- Davis and Justus Perspective Drawings (PDF)
- Design Standards for Safety and Security (PDF)
- Join the River Road / Milwaukee Trail email list for project news and updates
Trails, Safety and Property Values
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