Fowler Avenue Extension Project in Bozeman – Updates & Timeline

For years, the extension of Fowler Avenue on Bozeman’s west side has been a topic of discussion. With the city’s rapid growth, the need for another north-to-south corridor is becoming critical. While the project promises to ease traffic congestion in this area, it has also raised concerns regarding nearby neighborhoods, open space, and environmental impacts.

Currently, Fowler Avenue runs from Huffine to Babcock and from Durston to Oak in disconnected sections. This project will connect Fowler from Huffine to Oak Street, providing a continuous route through Bozeman’s west side. Another development in the early stages in this area is a proposed affordable housing project. Click here for more information on this.  

Project Overview

• Road Type: Two-lane road with turn lanes where needed

• Bike/Pedestrian Features: Sidewalks and shared-use paths

• Key Intersections:

  • Traffic signal at Fowler & Babcock

  • Roundabout at Fowler & Durston

• Tree Preservation & Mitigation: Existing trees and irrigation ditches will be preserved where possible, with plans to plant nearly 250 new trees along the route

• Status: Currently in design phase

Project Updates

July 2025 Update

Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, starting with the segment between Oak Street and Durston Road. Phase 2 will follow in summer 2027, extending from Durston to Babcock.

The project is now in the 60% design phase, with 90% design expected by fall 2025. The current design calls for a two-lane road with sidewalks on both sides. Planned neighborhood access points include entrances into Harvest Creek Subdivision from Caterpillar, Farmall, and Rose streets. Two roundabouts, one at Annie and one at Durston are also included in the plans.

May 2024 Update

The city plans to build a two-lane road with turn lanes through the 1.5-mile stretch of Fowler, connecting Babcock to Davis Lane. Originally envisioned as a five-lane road, the plan was scaled back after community feedback. Bike lanes will be incorporated where possible.

Efforts are being made to reduce impacts on existing trees and irrigation ditches, and nearly 250 new trees are planned as part of the project. A traffic signal is planned for the intersection at Babcock, with a roundabout at Durston. The project remains on track for construction to begin between Oak and Durston in 2026, with the Durston to Babcock section to follow in 2027 and full completion expected in 2028. At this point, the design was approximately 30% complete.

March 2023 Update

The pre-design phase was completed, which included initial surveys, environmental assessments, traffic projections, community feedback, and a concept design. Design work, led by Sanderson Stewart, is underway and will take the project through to construction bid documents.

Key design decisions finalized at this stage included the two-lane configuration with turn lanes, shared-use paths, a traffic signal at Babcock, and a roundabout at Durston.

Project Background

Fowler Avenue currently dead-ends in several places, with trails and open land separating the disconnected sections. The planned extension will provide a much-needed through-route connecting subdivisions, the Bozeman Gateway Shopping Center, and medical facilities like Billings Clinic.

While the new corridor is expected to alleviate traffic on nearby residential streets, concerns remain about impacts on neighborhoods such as Fowler Place Subdivision, Valley Unit, and Harvest Creek, as well as environmental considerations related to trails and mature trees along the route.

During the early design phase, the city sought community input through focus groups, site tours, and public meetings. They continue working to secure right-of-way through privately owned parcels needed for the road connection.

Check back here for ongoing updates as the project moves through design and into construction.

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