It’s no secret that the Gallatin Valley is expanding rapidly. Growth is putting significant pressure on existing infrastructure. To help meet increased demand and to provide the safest facilities for years to come, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is launching the Rouse Avenue – Main to Oak project, which will widen 0.9 miles of Rouse Avenue roadway from Main Street to Oak Street.

Widening Rouse Avenue will add increased capacity to Bozeman’s street grid. Increased capacity will make it easier and safer for residents, commuters and visitors to access Bozeman’s vibrant downtown corridor. Increasing capacity from Main Street to Oak Street will also reduce the number and severity of crashes along this stretch of roadway.

This is the second segment of roadway to be improved as part of the larger Rouse Avenue - Bozeman project. The first segment was completed in the fall of 2018, where the northern section of Rouse Avenue from Oak Street to Story Mill Road underwent multiple improvements to widen the road.

ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND SAFETY

TURN LANES AND SIGNALS: Currently at Rouse Avenue and Peach Street, cars have to come to a stop and wait to turn left. During rush hour, traffic builds up as cars wait for those in front to move. Adding a center turn lane will allow drivers to turn left without stopping traffic. There will also be added traffic signals on Rouse Avenue at the intersections of E. Birch Street, Tamarack Street, Peach Street, and Mendenhall Street. Turn lanes will also be added at these signals, allowing traffic to turn left, right, or straight through the intersection.

UPDATED UTILITIES: When MDT started this project, the entire road, including the utilities that run underneath, was evaluated. Much of the existing infrastructure on Rouse Avenue was very old and improvements were sorely needed. Work began with Northwestern Energy to complete this utility upgrade work in spring 2019, which included installing new storm drains and gas line replacements.

ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS

This multi-year and phased project is expected to be substantially completed in 2020. Upon its completion, residents and visitors will enjoy upgraded driving lanes, new bike lanes and safer pedestrian access.

PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL: Due to inconsistent sidewalks along Rouse Avenue, the current configuration poses challenges for pedestrians. The new roadway will have continuous sidewalks throughout the corridor, from Main Street to Oak Street. Pedestrians will be able to freely stroll from downtown Bozeman to Story Mill Road, where the first phase was completed.

CYCLIST TRAVEL: While there are many great bicycle trails accessible from Rouse Avenue, Rouse Avenue itself can be difficult for cyclists to navigate. Safe bike lanes exist on the north end of Rouse Avenue but abruptly stop near Oak Street, where cyclists often choose to merge with vehicular traffic.

This project will provide a continuous bike lane throughout Rouse Avenue for cyclists to travel safely from Main Street to the trails around Story Mill Road.

IMPROVEMENTS TOPEDESTRIAN & CYCLIST TRAVEL

In October 2019, box culverts will be replaced on Rouse Avenue and Peach Street. Box culverts are structures that allow water to flow underneath a road.

Bozeman Creek flows next to Rouse Avenue during much of its downtown journey. However, at the intersection of Peach Street and Rouse Avenue, this creek crosses underneath the roadway twice. Box culverts will allow the creek to flow safely and freely without damaging the roadway.

It will take about a month to complete box culvert work. Expect to see closures at the intersection of Rouse Avenue and Peach Street this October.

BOX CULVERT WORK

Example of what a box culvert looks like.

During construction, expect to see single-lane closures with flaggers from Oak Street to Lamme Street. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes while major construction is in effect from spring 2020 through winter 2020.

Lamme Street to Main Street will be completely closed off for through traffic and a detour will be in place.

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Note that emergency services will still be able to maneuver through the area and residents who live in closed off areas of the street will still have full access to their property, including alleyways.

For all modes of transportation trying to reach Main Street, the proposed detour is Rouse Avenue to Lamme Street to Seventh Avenue. Signage will be in place to guide people through the detour route.

PROJECT TIMELINE

FALL 2018 – FALL 2019Preliminary utility work. Minimal traffic impacts.Box culverts will be replaced on Rouse Avenue and Peach Street.

SPRING 2020Begin general roadway construction. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

SUMMER 2020Roadway construction from Main Street to East Lamme Street. Roadway closures near Hawthorne School.

FALL 2020Roadway construction across entire project. Rouse Avenue between Main Street and East Lamme Street will be closed to traffic. Delays of 15 minutes with one lane of travel.

WINTER 2020Project completion.

Preliminary work on utility upgrades began in the fall of 2018 and will continue into the fall of 2019. Road construction will be in full swing by the spring of 2020.

Without good roads, bridges, and intersections, traveling safely and efficiently through Montana would be very difficult. More deaths and injuries would occur, and it would be harder to do business, visit family or organize public events such as track meets and concerts. Having good roads, bridges, and other transportation systems and educating drivers how to use them, is critical to building strong communities and a strong state. This is a big job, especially in a huge, rural state with many highways.

Fortunately, the public has tasked Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) with this job. MDT is responsible for providing transportation systems and services that are safe and affordable and that protect the environment and support economic growth for our state.

MDT AND VISION ZERO

LEARN MORE ABOUT VISION ZERO ATwww.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero

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PROJECT HOTLINE:406-207-4484 during business hours.

WEBSITE UPDATES:Visit www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/rouseoakmain/.

RADIO UPDATES: My 103.5 (KZMY) 103.5 FM XL Country (KXLB) 100.7 FM The Eagle (KKQX) 105.7 FM KGLT Public Radio 91.9 FM

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