We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and concerned citizens of Belgrade, Montana, respectfully petition the City of Belgrade and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to immediately halt the Belgrade Intersection Improvements project at the Main Street and Broadway intersection, specifically the proposed roundabout.

 

The public widely feels this roundabout is unneeded, raises serious safety concerns, imposes significant hardships on local businesses and residents, and places an unnecessary taxpayer burden without proper public consent or approval.

 

Background

The project plans to replace the existing four-way stop at Main Street and Broadway with a roundabout, with construction potentially starting in 2028. This overlaps with the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project (widening, sidewalks, and railroad underpass). While improved traffic flow is a stated goal, the community strongly believes a roundabout is not the right solution for our downtown core.

Reasons for Opposition

 

• The Roundabout is Unneeded: Many residents and business owners feel the current four-way stop adequately serves the intersection and see no compelling need for this major change in a downtown setting.

 

• Public Safety Concerns: The proposed roundabout raises significant safety issues for pedestrians, drivers, and especially vulnerable users in a high foot-traffic downtown area. Many feel it will create unpredictable vehicle movements that could increase rather than reduce accidents.

 

• Hardships to Local Businesses and Residents: Construction and design changes will impose severe hardships, including reduced or eliminated parking, disrupted access, prolonged traffic delays, and negative economic impacts on downtown businesses. Residents will face daily inconveniences and reduced quality of life during years of overlapping construction.

 

• Unnecessary Taxpayer Burden Without Proper Consent: This project would place a significant financial burden on local taxpayers without sufficient public input, consent, or approval from the Belgrade community.

• Excessive Overlapping Disruption: Proceeding with both projects simultaneously would unnecessarily extend these hardships on our community.

 

• Better Phased Approach Available: Complete the Jackrabbit Road improvements first. This will provide real-world data on actual traffic patterns and congestion relief. Only then should any further changes at Main & Broadway be considered through transparent public input.

We support practical, targeted safety improvements but oppose rushing an unneeded roundabout that does not reflect the will of Belgrade residents, creates avoidable safety concerns and hardships, and burdens taxpayers without proper public consent.

 

Requested Action:

We call on the City of Belgrade and MDT to:

1. Immediately stop the proposed roundabout at Main Street and Broadway.

 

2. Proceed with the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project first.

3. After Jackrabbit completion, conduct a thorough, data-driven traffic and safety evaluation.

 

4. Provide full public communication and hold additional transparent meetings before advancing any future plans for the Main & Broadway intersection.

 

5. Prioritize solutions that protect businesses, preserve parking and pedestrian safety, maintain downtown character, and respect taxpayer funds through proper community consent.