HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-20 Public Comment - E. Bode - FMT_public_comment_on_Kagy_project
Dear Bozeman City Commission,
Forward Montana envisions a Bozeman where people of all economic classes have access
to a safe and efficient commute to work, school, and play. We envision a Bozeman where
choosing low carbon and carbon-free transportation does not compromise our safety.
The project to widen Kagy Boulevard to four lanes prioritizes motorists over the many
students and residents that walk and bike to their classes and places of work, be it by choice
or because their transportation options are financially limited. This project prioritizes
marginal decreases in commute time for motorists over a critical city goal in the Bozeman
Climate Plan: to reduce vehicle emissions and enhance non-motorized transportation. This
costly project commits millions of dollars to renovating relatively new infrastructure when
improvements are sorely needed elsewhere.
In contrast, the College project is second in line to Kagy and is poised to build high-quality,
accessible infrastructure for walking and biking. According to the Capital Improvement
Plan, College Street "is already in a failing condition" and "eventually the street will become
deteriorated to a point where it is unfeasible to maintain..." Additionally, the MSU Bicycle
Master Plan identifies College as a “significant barrier” to pedestrian commuters to campus.
As an MSU alumnus and frequent cyclist, College Street is SCARY. The street is narrow, full
of potholes, has no crosswalks for several blocks, and no bike lanes. Pedestrians dart
between parked cars and traffic to reach popular amenities off campus or wait for friendly
motorists in steady traffic to notice them and let them through. College Street not only
dissuades multimodal transportation, it is an active threat to pedestrians and cyclists alike.
We urge you to reprioritize the College Street reconstruction ahead of Kagy. When it is
time for Kagy renovations, we support a two or three lane configuration, which not only will
reduce emissions, but will also reduce the project costs significantly and be more friendly to
cyclists and pedestrians. Join us in our vision of safe, accessible, and sustainable,
multimodal transportation in Bozeman, a vision the City has already committed to in
multiple City plans.
Sincerely,
Emma Bode (she/hers)
Bozeman Field Manager
Forward Montana
Forward Montana builds political power with and for young Montanans by driving a culture of civic engagement,
and electing leaders and passing policies that are representative of the needs and vision of our generation.