Dear Missoula: Slow Down On S Higgins
QUICK: What's the speed limit on Higgins Ave?
It's OK if you don't know offhand. You probably haven't noticed the speed limit signs recently. There's not a lot of them spanning the length and breadth of Higgins to begin with.
You could get an answer to what the speed limits on city roads without posted speed limit signs in the Montana Drivers Manual, which covers a wide range of topics including traffic rules, safe driving habits and other laws.
However most of us tend to forget the salient details of safe driving habits and traffic laws included in the manual. I don't know how long it takes to forget everything covered in the MVD license exam but let's just say...about a week?
Higgins Avenue As We Know It in 2022
The wonky red line was drawn by yours truly. Somebody's digital art skills ain't what they used to be.
S Higgins Ave provides access to businesses, homes, and city parks in the southeast part of the city. The Hip Strip, Hellgate High School, and access to the University of Montana all lie on this road.
However, Higgins Ave also features something else:
At least these two weren't causing heart attacks while darting into the middle of the road at the moment.
Whitetail deer are a common sight on Higgins Ave. Bucks, does and fawns are most active during the spring, summer and fall; coming down into Pattee Canyon to feast on our lawns and shrubs. Hey, it's free real estate.
REMINDER: wild animals are unpredictable and dangerous. Please slow down if you see deer on the side of the road.
S Higgins is, for the most part, very straight. Kind of like a NASCAR speedway. But just because you see all these parallel straight lines in front of you doesn't mean you can hit the gas...like a NASCAR driver.
SHOWN: not an invitation to let 'er rip.
Speed Limits On Higgins
Just so everyone knows, the speed limit changes on Higgins depending on where you are. Here are the zones:
From the Hip Strip south to Hellgate High School, 25mph
From the Brooks St intersection south to Pattee Canyon Rd, 30mph
(during school hours, please observe the 20mph zone in front of Paxson Elementary)
After the curve where Higgins runs east-west to the Russell St intersection, 35mph
The 35mph zone continues as Higgins becomes S 39th St. at the Russell St intersection.
Also, it's been a minute since Google came thru town...evidenced by the gas prices.
DRIVE SAFE. SLOW DOWN.