Last Chance Gulch Five Points Intersection
The City of Helena, in partnership with Sanderson Stewart, is conducting a feasibility study for improvements on the Last Chance Gulch 5-Points Intersection. The intersection is located at Last Chance Gulch/Helena Ave/ Neill Ave/ Cruse St., 11th Ave./Cruse St., and Last Chance Gulch/11th Ave.
In this initial phase, the focus is on getting everything ready before the actual design work starts. This includes studying traffic patterns, surveying the area, looking at stormwater issues, and talking with the community about the impacts and benefits of the intersection alternatives. Once all the studies have concluded, up to three design concepts will be developed and shared with the Helena community.
History of what's been done:
The Last Chance Gulch Five Points Intersection has been extensively studied and included in transportation and land use documents since 2004.
In 2012, Helena Gateway Intersection Concept Study recommended further evaluation of a single-lane roundabout and an enlarged signalized intersection.
In 2021, a multimodal traffic study was conducted at the two five-point intersections of Lyndale Avenue/Montana Avenue/Helena Avenue and Last Chance Gulch/Helena Avenue/Neill Avenue. This study evaluated the intersection conditions and provided an in-depth analysis of how to make this intersection safer and more functional for drivers, bikers, and walkers. The main goal of this study was to develop a thorough long-range plan for managing the transportation network and to identify reasonable improvement options for these intersections. The study resulted in the recommendation of a five-legged single-lane roundabout at the Last Chance Gulch 5-point intersection and modifying the intersection at 11th Avenue/Cruse Avenue.
Public engagement took place during both of those recent studies.
You can find the 2021 multi-modal study document on the right sidebar