Custer Avenue near McHugh Lane with two vehicles traveling west. Traffic in the background near the light at Montana and Custer Ave. Businesses showing on the right side and a grass shoulder on the left side as you are looking at the image.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with the City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, and the Greater Helena Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, has completed the Custer Avenue Improvements Study for West Custer Avenue between North Montana Avenue and Henderson Street. The study provides a planning level look at how the corridor functions today, and documents potential improvement concepts that could address congestion, delays, safety, access, and multimodal needs, along with related public input, environmental setting, drainage considerations, and funding and implementation constraints. As a planning document, the completed study does not create an active construction project, commit funding, or establish a schedule for specific improvements.

Within this framework, the study examined two corridor concepts: a four lane roundabout alternative and a five lane signalized alternative. These concepts, compare how each could perform under future conditions, including traffic flow, safety, access, right of way needs, and estimated costs along the corridor. This information helps illustrate potential tradeoffs and benefits of different intersection and corridor configurations, including changes to turning movements and non-motorized facilities. This study does not identify a preferred alternative.

The Custer Avenue Improvements Study was completed through a collaborative process to better understand transportation needs and explore potential solutions for this important route. The study draws on detailed traffic and safety analysis, land use and drainage information, and community input gathered through surveys, focus groups, and public meetings to document corridor conditions and evaluate potential improvement concepts. The final report serves as a planning level resource for future consideration of corridor needs.

Custer Avenue Feasibility Study

Custer Avenue Preliminary Traffic Engineering Report

Appendix A Data Collection
Appendix B Existing Conditions
Appendix C Projected Conditions
Appendix D Intersection Alternatives Operations
Appendix E Corridor Alternatives Operations
Appendix F Public Involvement

Custer Avenue near McHugh Lane with twelve cars traveling east and 3 cars traveling west. The traffic signal at the Custer Avenue and McHugh Lane is centered in the picture. Text stating “Custer Avenue Improvements Study” is centered at the top of the graphic. Four Georgians Elementary School , a sign for Tiny’s Gym on the left and a Meineke sign is on the right, in the background. A sign indicating an exclusive left turn lane and a shared through/right turn lane is featured prominently in the foreground. The logo for Montana Department of Transportation is discreetly displayed on the bottom right of the picture.