Missoula County Government: Sha-Ron Parking Lot Construction Delayed, Work To Begin In 2023

Missoula MT

27 April, 2022

3:02 PM

Description

Press release from the Missoula County Government: April 26, 2022 Missoula County and partner agencies now plan to begin construction of an overflow parking lot and pedestrian trail northeast of the Sha-Ron fishing access in the spring of 2023. Construction was originally slated to begin this year, but the new timeline will allow all partnering agencies sufficient time to conduct required assessments and finalize all agreements before groundwork begins. The lot would hold 68 vehicles, reducing the number parked along the highway, and it would connect to the popular river access via a 0.2-mile shared-use path. Plans also call for the parking area to have portable bathroom facilities screened by a fence or barrier. Construction is estimated to take about two months. The goal is to have the parking lot available for the 2023 summer float season. Staff had originally planned to complete the project by the end of 2022. Unexpected delays interrupted the timeline, requiring adjustments to the schedule around weather and material prices. The new timeline will allow for a more competitive bidding process when the project is set to begin. "We are excited to have this project ready for public use," Public Works Director Shane Stack said. "This is a partner effort between Missoula County; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; the Montana Department of Transportation and the Missoula Urban Transportation District, and each of these agencies have policies and procedures that must be followed. We've adjusted the timeline slightly to make sure all agencies can complete their requirements and to help reduce the cost of materials." The public is encouraged to participate and stay informed about the Sha-Ron Parking Access on the County's online engagement platform, Missoula County Voice, at https://missoulacountyvoice.com/sha-ron-parking-access. The site has a public comment portal and people can review project maps, a cost estimate and design details. Once the construction is complete, it is proposed that FWP could manage the site through a recreation permit issued from the Montana Department of Transportation, which owns the right-of-way. Missoula County will maintain the trail between the overflow parking areas. Stack is available for media inquiries at [email protected]. This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.