r/helena

HELENA — A proposed roundabout at one of Helena’s busiest intersections could soon change the way drivers get through ‘Mini Malfunction Junction’.

As roundabouts continue to be a hot topic in the community, here is a project update.

“We put in for a grant for Safe Streets for All for the Mini Malfunction roundabout and the Custer and Henderson roundabout,” David Knoepke, the City of Helena transportation systems director, said.

The city will not set a construction timeline until it learns whether it received the around $8 million grant. They should have that answer by the end of the year.

Changing Mini Malfunction Junction into a roundabout has been in the works for a while. A 2012 study identified a roundabout as the best option for the five-way intersection, then in 2014, a long-range transportation plan also recommended a roundabout for the intersection. Again, the city’s 2021 five-point intersection study found Mini Malfunction Junction should be turned into a roundabout.

“Studies have shown that coming into roundabouts slows people down,” Knoepke added.

That will improve traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians.

“In the roundabout case, you are only needing to look one way because traffic is only coming from one direction,” Knoepke said. “You are only having to cross one lane of traffic before you get to the splitter island, and then you look to make sure there is no traffic coming.”

Additionally, some people are curious how the roundabout would impact street sweeper and snow plow operations.

“Operations really don’t change. We would start at the center, just like we work at the center line for plowing. We plow from the center to the edge with the roundabout,” Knoepke said.

So why a roundabout? Well, they require less maintenance than signalized intersections, and they keep traffic flowing more smoothly.

“Roundabouts are an efficient way to move all modes of transportation and I think if built that we would have that we would have a public education campaign to help folks understand,” Knoepke said.

Just purchased some house plants from them, and they were so incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and insanely kid-friendly. Can't recommend enough, and their new (ish) location is so much better. If you're in the market for a monstera or ficus etc, definitely check them out!

Evening everyone, I'm interested in finding like minded car enthusiasts. I see fellow BMW drivers about, is there a meet up or a place for a hang out? DM me if there. Thanks!

Looking for recommendations on the best OB in Helena. My previous doctor no longer delivers babies so I'm looking for someone else. Thanks!

Yooooooo my fellow people,
I’m hoping to get a cheap used tuba, it can be beat up and dented so long as it still plays.
Pretty broke, so genuinely will take a project if need be. I have more time than money at the moment so I will fix it up.
Got a degree in solo tuba performance, but sadly had to sell my instrument a decade ago.
If anybody knows someone who’s had a tuba sitting in a closet/storage for a while, please let me know
Thank you!!

Hello Helena!

I'm going to be working at the VA for about 9 months starting next week. Super excited to check out a new place, I currently live in Missoula. I'm hoping to meet someone with a spare room or space to pay a bit of rent to (I'll only crash there once maybe twice a week) but until then will be getting either a hotel room or airbnb. Does anyone have advice for affordable options?

Thanks!!

If you were fortunate enough to know, or even cross paths with William Neisses, you were blessed to have a lifelong friend in Bengal Billy.

Billy’s Celebration of Life will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke funeral home on August 22nd but I can guarantee you, that venue will not accommodate the crowd that will show up to honor Billy.

I hope the powers that be will reconsider and host this at either the Helena High gymnasium or, weather permitting, Vigilante stadium. It’s only fitting that Helena shows up to honor Billy in the way he deserves to be honored

Had the street blocked off from the coffee stand to the motel. Cops and maybe a fire truck?

Hey all,

Using the search function, it looks like this question hasn't been asked in about 5 years that I could find. Can anyone recommend where to take a Subaru to get worked on that isn't Placer? Previous posts recommended DJ's. Does that recommendation still stand? Any other shops people have had positive experiences with wrenching on Subarus? Thanks!

Howdy yall I've moved here recently and wanted to ask if anyone knows a good place to buy bulk ammo locally and a place to go to the range for plinking and practice. I own a couple of calibers of firearms and i wanted to see if anyone's got the inside scoop on a good ammo deal.

Thanks for ya time. Hope this doesn't break rules.

I’m not in the loop at all I guess. I was thinking about taking my family over there to check it out but is there a real reason not to? Is it unsafe or something actually important?