Please consider residents of the area

While I understand the population of Bozeman and Gallatin County has grown exponentially, as a member of this neighborhood and frequent user of the Ponds trails, I disagree with turning Fowler into a 3- or 4-lane roadway.

The old-growth cottonwoods are irreplaceable and paving over another stream would be killing what tiny bit of Bozeman is left. The area is habitat for birds, fish, and several small animals, and the trees provide a barrier from the traffic and shade in the summer. This is a park used by many in town, not just the neighborhood. Covering the stream would only inhibit the growth of new trees and destroy wildlife habitat. Disturbing the creek and trees along Fowler would add additional costs to this project that could perhaps be better spent elsewhere. Routing heavier amounts of traffic through areas with high numbers of pedestrians, cyclists, pets, and school children would be a huge safety risk to the residents of this neighborhood.

Ferguson is only a few blocks away and is easily accessed from this area. Please, let’s do right for the community and wildlife and keep it a two-lane street. Extending a road doesn’t have to be that invasive.