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| Planning Board | |
| Date: | 02/13/2024 |
| Title: | 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program Review and Public Hearing |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
Information
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Board (PB) receive a presentation of the 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and conduct a public hearing to collect public testimony regarding the TIP. The Planning Board at the February 27th meeting will take formal action on the study to forward a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC).
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The TIP is a comprehensive document outlining the prioritized list of transportation projects and initiatives that the Billings Metropolitan Organization (MPO) intends to undertake over the upcoming TIP period of 2024-2028. The purpose of the TIP is to provide the mechanism for scheduling federal funds for surface transportation projects, indicate regional priorities, and demonstrate a short-range transportation vision for the area. A secondary purpose of the TIP is to provide information about other transportation projects in the urbanized area that are exempt from the TIP approval process, such as projects that do not utilize federal funds. This program plays a crucial role in addressing current and future transportation needs, promoting safety, and fostering economic development.
Key Components of the TIP:
1. Project List: The TIP includes a detailed list of proposed projects, along with their descriptions, scopes, budgets, and anticipated timelines. These projects are aligned with strategic goals and aim to address identified transportation challenges in the region.
2. Funding Allocation: Clear and transparent allocation of funds is outlined in the TIP, demonstrating a commitment to efficient resource utilization. Funding sources, including federal, state, and local contributions, are clearly specified for each project.
3. Public Involvement: Prior to finalizing many of the projects in the TIP, staff conducts public consultations to gather input from stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and community organizations. This occurs in several areas of our planning process, including most recently the update to the Billings Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) in 2023. The feedback from the LRTP process and other opportunities has been incorporated into the TIP to ensure that it reflects the diverse needs of our community.
Performance Measures: To gauge the success of the transportation initiatives, the TIP includes performance measures aligned with our organizational objectives. Regular reporting on these measures will enable us to track progress and make data-driven decisions.
Key Components of the TIP:
1. Project List: The TIP includes a detailed list of proposed projects, along with their descriptions, scopes, budgets, and anticipated timelines. These projects are aligned with strategic goals and aim to address identified transportation challenges in the region.
2. Funding Allocation: Clear and transparent allocation of funds is outlined in the TIP, demonstrating a commitment to efficient resource utilization. Funding sources, including federal, state, and local contributions, are clearly specified for each project.
3. Public Involvement: Prior to finalizing many of the projects in the TIP, staff conducts public consultations to gather input from stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and community organizations. This occurs in several areas of our planning process, including most recently the update to the Billings Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) in 2023. The feedback from the LRTP process and other opportunities has been incorporated into the TIP to ensure that it reflects the diverse needs of our community.
Performance Measures: To gauge the success of the transportation initiatives, the TIP includes performance measures aligned with our organizational objectives. Regular reporting on these measures will enable us to track progress and make data-driven decisions.
STAKEHOLDERS
The review of the TIP will include the MPO’s Transportation Planning Process that includes numerous opportunities for public input. The Planning Board, the designated MPO, will host a public hearing at this meeting and encourage and collect public comment. There is also opportunity for public comment during the Billings City Council, Board of County Commissioners, and the Policy Coordinating Committee public meetings.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
FISCAL EFFECTS
A range of federal funding sources is available to the Billings MPO area for the purposes of funding transportation system improvements. A list of those sources is shown in the TIP. There is no known direct impact on City or County funds in budgeting for these projects given the use of federal funding sources. Projects in the TIP that are not federally funded have already been identified in other programming documents, like the City’s Capital Improvement Program.
SUMMARY
The TIP is regularly reviewed and updated as projects change or are added. This is a standard process that ensures the continuation of federal funds coming to Billings for surface transportation projects, indicates regional priorities, and demonstrates a short-range transportation vision for the area. It is noted that many of the changes in this TIP are still tied to completion of the Billings Bypass segments across the project as that project continues to near completion.