NEWS ADVISORY

July 12, 2023

For immediate release

NORTH AVE. WATER MAIN PROJECT FACILITATES FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Begins July 17

The City’s Public Works and Mobility Department, in collaboration with Missoula Redevelopment
Agency, will begin a water main extension project July 17, weather permitting, on North Ave. W. from
Johnson St. to Garfield St. with completion expected August 28.

The project involves replacing old portions of the existing water main and extending it where no main
current exists, for a total of about 720 feet of new main. Construction of the water main helps set the
stage for redevelopment of adjacent City property by providing access to municipal water and
enhancing fire flows to the site. MRA’s investment in this public infrastructure advances the Agency’s
efforts to support affordable housing by reducing a development cost that would otherwise be borne
by a developer and passed on to owners or tenants as higher housing costs.

Missoula Water will manage the project with MRA providing the funding for design, engineering, and
construction.

The project will require closure of North Ave. W. to through traffic. Construction will be staged as best
as possible to allow access to businesses on the north side of North Ave. W. throughout construction.
Detour routes have been established and will be clearly marked.

We encourage drivers to avoid the area and to use an alternate route when possible. Everyone
traveling near the construction area and along detour routes should do so slowly and cautiously.

For more project information and detour maps, visit www.ci.missoula.mt.us/2668/Water-Projects. This
web page will be updated as necessary during construction.

For questions about project construction, contact Andy Schultz, City Engineer for Utilities, at 406-552-
6758 or SchultzA@ci.missoula.mt.us.

For questions about MRA’s funding for the project, contact Tod Gass, MRA Project Manager, at 406-
552-6159 or GassT@ci.missoula.mt.us.

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Lori Hart, Public Works & Mobility Communications Specialist, 406-552-6354 office, 406-830-6077 cell,
HartL@ci.missoula.mt.us