HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-30-25 Public Comment - M. Fahrney - Transportation Board Meeting-9_24 Public Comment SubmissionFrom:Maddy Fahrney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Transportation Board Meeting-9/24 Public Comment Submission
Date:Tuesday, September 23, 2025 10:47:24 PM
Attachments:Transportation Board Meeting Public Comment .pdf
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Hello,
My name is Madeline Fahrney, and I just wanted to send in my public comment via email incase the PDF I tried to attach did not attach successfully on your website.
Thank you,
Madeline Fahrney (925) 519-2638
As a resident of the university neighborhood, an employee and student at MSU, and a
daily user of College Street, by car, bike, and on foot—I wanted to share direct feedback from
last Monday’s Open House and highlight a few major concerns and suggested improvements
regarding the College Street renovation (8th to 11th).
The community voiced clear consensus against the proposed mini-roundabout at 8th Ave:
over 95% of attendees strongly opposed it, citing safety, confusion, and unnecessary complexity
for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, as well as concern that it would cut off the Exxon by
closing its only two entry/exit points. I urge the Board to acknowledge, document, and act on this
overwhelming feedback by removing the Concept Exhibit 1A, with the roundabout, from the
next design iteration. I’d also like to see more detailed planning for multi-use asphalt entry/exit
points for bicycles, so they genuinely improve safety and connectivity for cyclists rather than
complicate biking along this critical corridor.
As someone who has been hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in a design nearly
identical to those being proposed, I urge you to seriously consider closing public access to Bison
Lot 8, located across S. 10th on College St. Doing so would greatly enhance safety for all
cyclists and pedestrians using the new multi-use asphalt path, which is intended for just that
purpose. When vehicles are parked facing north in this lot, drivers exiting have poor visibility
and must encroach onto the multi-use path, creating a frequent and preventable conflict point
with vulnerable road users.
Finally, I encourage renewed outreach to MSU. The lack of university engagement and
financial contribution was a serious concern for many attendees, given that MSU and its students
will benefit for decades to come from these improvements. In turn, I am willing to take action
myself by drafting an op-ed for the Bozeman Chronicle that highlights MSU’s lack of
engagement in the project and calls for a more meaningful partnership, with the hope that public
attention might encourage MSU to reconsider its stance.
Thank you for considering this feedback as you weigh the next steps for the College
Street Renovation. I care deeply about achieving a design that truly works for everyone, and I
hope the Board will reflect the public’s priorities in this process.