There is no action required with this Council agenda item.

WO 23-11 is a project to perform maintenance on downtown streets and at the same time, convert certain streets in downtown Billings from one-way to two-way traffic. The project is a result of the ongoing partnership between the Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA) and City of Billings. The DBA has a desire to convert the streets downtown to two-way traffic, and the City of Billings needs to perform pavement preservation on the streets downtown. The DBA and City of Billings have coordinated their efforts for these two goals in order to complete the project most efficiently. The project scope includes traffic analysis and design for the two-way improvements, in addition to analysis and design for a road diet on Montana Avenue. 

In addition to converting some streets to two-way traffic, the project also plans to install a new traffic signal at Division Street and 2nd Ave N. Existing signals will be modified and updated where applicable. Improvements to bicycle infrastructure is also being considered with this project. New bike connectivity on 2nd Ave N, 3rd Ave N, N 31st St, and N 25th St is proposed. Work completed to date related to the project include a Downtown Traffic Study (2019), Alternative Prioritization & Public Preference Plan (2021), and conversion of North 29th Street and North 30th Street (2021). The presentation will present design recommendations resulting from the completed traffic memo. 

This item is being presented for information only so there is no action required at this time. In the future, Council will be asked to approve purchasing of signal equipment (August or September 2023) and approve a construction contract (fall or winter 2023). 

There are no fiscal effects with this presentation, which is intended to provide information only. The design cost of the project is included in the FY23 budget and construction cost is included in the FY24 budget.