What is the Great Falls South Arterial Alignment Study?
The concept of a new south arterial has been the subject of numerous plans, studies and news articles since the late 1960s. However, in the following years local economic conditions didn’t allow budgeting for right-of-way acquisition. Since that time, the arterial was incorporated in the 2000 Great Falls Transportation Plan and a feasibility study was completed in 2004. It was concluded in this feasibility study that a southern arterial would achieve the highest benefit/cost ratio. The City of Great Falls, in coordination with the Montana Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, initiated a route location study to develop and evaluate different alignment options for the arterial. The Great Falls South Arterial Alignment Study will follow an evaluation and public involvement process to ensure that there is a full and fair discussion of all significant social, economic, and environmental impacts before a specific set of alternatives are selected.
