Project Overview: “Transform Brooks-Connect Midtown” Initiative

The “Transform Brooks-Connect Midtown” project is advancing, with conceptual plans now at the 15% design stage. The initiative aims to redevelop the Brooks Street corridor into a high-capacity, rapid-transit bus route. This transformation is a strategic effort to guide the growth of the Midtown district toward a sustainable, walkable community integrated with housing, services, and efficient public transportation. The project’s core objective is to establish the necessary infrastructure to support transit-oriented development, directly contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and resilient urban environment. Final adoption of the plan is anticipated by the end of the year, which will initiate the funding acquisition phase.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project is fundamentally aligned with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on creating an inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban future for Missoula.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The initiative is a direct implementation of SDG 11, aiming to make the city more sustainable and inclusive. Its design and objectives address several specific targets:

• Target 11.2: By establishing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with 15-minute service, the project provides a safe, affordable, and sustainable transport system for all, significantly expanding public transit access.
• Target 11.3: The focus on transit-oriented development (TOD) promotes inclusive and sustainable urbanization. The plan integrates transportation with land-use planning to encourage mixed-use, high-density development.
• Target 11.1: The project framework is designed to support the future development of adequate and affordable housing along the transit corridor.
• Complete Streets: Enhanced pedestrian safety, improved crossings, and sidewalk amenities are central to making the corridor safe and accessible for all users.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The project represents a significant upgrade to local infrastructure, fostering innovation in urban mobility.

• The development of a modern BRT system constitutes the creation of quality, reliable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development.
• It addresses the impending functional failure of a key arterial road due to rising population and traffic density.
• The plan includes provisions for charging infrastructure for Mountain Line’s electric bus fleet, promoting sustainable and innovative technology.

Additional SDG Contributions

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By improving public transit efficiency and capacity, the project encourages a modal shift away from private vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of an electric fleet further supports climate goals.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The initiative is expected to stimulate economic development and attract investment in the Midtown district by providing predictable, high-quality infrastructure for developers.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The project is a model of public-public partnership, involving collaboration between the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, the City of Missoula, Mountain Line, and the Montana Department of Transportation.

Project Design and Implementation Details

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Concept

The project has evolved from an initial center-running concept to a side-running system. This revised design places the dedicated bus lanes along the curb. The side-running approach was selected for several strategic advantages:

1. Lower overall capital costs.
2. Reduced requirement for private property acquisition.
3. Simpler operational logistics and maintenance.
4. Greater pedestrian connectivity and safety, with plans for a pedestrian refuge in the center median.

Key Operational Features

• A high-frequency service schedule of every 15 minutes.
• A primary route connecting the downtown transfer station with a new transfer center to be located near the Southgate Mall.
• Approximately 11 fully developed transit stops along the corridor.
• Inclusion of a center median and traffic signal control to maintain bus schedule reliability and traffic efficiency.

Strategic Objectives and Funding

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

The project’s vision extends beyond transportation infrastructure. It is a foundational element for transit-oriented development in Midtown, an area with high employment density but an outdated, auto-centric design. By creating permanent stops and high-quality pedestrian access, the project aims to provide the predictability that developers require to invest in mixed-use, urban-style residential and commercial projects.

Funding and Partnerships

The collaborative partnership between municipal and state agencies is critical to the project’s success, embodying the principles of SDG 17. An initial $850,000 federal grant was secured four years ago to fund the study phase. With the design concept now established, the project partners will proceed with seeking comprehensive funding for construction and implementation. Mountain Line is a key financial partner and plans to co-locate its new administrative base and electric fleet charging infrastructure adjacent to the new southside transfer station, further integrating sustainable infrastructure into the project.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The article focuses on a major infrastructure project, the “Transform Brooks-Connect Midtown” study, which aims to build a “high-quality transit system.” This includes developing a “rapid-transit bus corridor,” a “new transfer station,” and the necessary “charging infrastructure” for an electric bus fleet. This directly relates to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The project’s core mission is to make the city of Missoula more sustainable by addressing urban mobility and development. Key themes include creating a “walkable future,” promoting “pedestrian safety,” implementing “Complete Streets,” providing “high-frequency transit,” and guiding “transit-oriented development” to manage a rising city population and avoid traffic failure.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly highlights the collaborative nature of the project. It states, “It’s truly a partnership between Mountain Line and the city to bring about a project like this. MDT [Montana Department of Transportation] is a partner at the table with us as well.” This multi-stakeholder partnership involving city agencies (Missoula Redevelopment Agency), public transit authorities (Mountain Line), and state-level departments (MDT) is a clear example of SDG 17 in action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  1. The project is designed to develop a “high-quality transit system” and “solidify the infrastructure needed to attract and guide transit-oriented development.” The shift to a “side-running system” was made because it was “more affordable with simpler operations,” addressing the focus on affordability and quality.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
  1. The plan to create a “rapid-transit bus corridor” with “15-minute bus service” directly addresses the expansion of public transport. The emphasis on “safety for pedestrians,” “pedestrian connectivity,” and creating a “pedestrian refuge” in the middle of the street directly aligns with improving road safety for all users.
• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
  1. The project is a strategic response to the city’s “population on the rise” and aims to “steer Midtown toward a walkable future woven around housing and services.” It is an example of integrated planning that connects transportation with “housing needs,” “economic development,” and “mixed-use and urban-style development.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
  1. The article details a multi-agency public partnership essential for the project’s success, involving the “Missoula Redevelopment Agency,” “Missoula City Council,” “Mountain Line” (the public transit authority), and the “Montana Department of Transportation.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

For Target 11.2 (Access to sustainable transport):

• Indicator (Implied): Proportion of the population with convenient access to public transport. The article provides specific metrics that can be used to measure this, such as the provision of “15-minute bus service” and the development of “roughly 11 developed stops” along the corridor.
• Indicator (Implied): Improvements in road safety. Progress can be measured by the implementation of safety features mentioned in the plan, such as “high-quality pedestrian crossings,” a “center median,” and a “pedestrian refuge.”

For Target 11.3 (Sustainable urbanization and planning):

• Indicator (Implied): Degree of integrated planning and development. Progress is indicated by the project’s advancement, which is currently at “15% design” and expected to be “ready for adoption by the end of the year.” The successful implementation of “transit-oriented development,” “mixed-use” zoning, and policies supporting “development at density” would be key measures of success.

For Target 9.1 (Development of sustainable infrastructure):

• Indicator (Implied): Investment in and development of sustainable infrastructure. The article mentions the project received an “$850,000 grant” for the study phase. Further progress can be measured by the successful acquisition of land, construction of the “new transfer station,” and installation of “charging infrastructure” for the electric fleet.

For Target 17.17 (Effective partnerships):

• Indicator (Implied): Existence and operational status of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article confirms the existence of a functioning partnership between the city, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, Mountain Line, and the Montana Department of Transportation. The continued collaboration through the design, funding, and implementation phases serves as an ongoing indicator of this partnership’s effectiveness.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kpax.com