In November of 2007, the City of Billings Planning Division entered into a contract with Interstate Engineering, Inc., to complete a transportation study for the Blue Creek area. This project was identified and requested by the residents of Blue Creek through ongoing discussions of community planning in the Blue Creek area. The Study addresses road and intersection conditions, pedestrian access, and overall traffic safety issues along the Blue Creek Road corridor. Blue Creek Road is the spine of the Blue Creek Transportation Study area. The study area boundary extends on the east as far as the Blue Creek watershed boundary. The Crow Indian Reservation boundary is the southeast extent of the study area with inclusion of Blue Creek Road south to the intersection with Pryor Creek Road. The Study represents a summary of study goals and objectives, specific work efforts, and the short-term and long-term recommendations for transportation infrastructure improvements in the Blue Creek area. The study considers both motorized and non-motorized transportation elements. The Blue Creek Transportation Study was distributed to the council for its February 16, 2010, City Council Work Session. An additional hard copy of the plan is available in the City Clerk’s Office.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) at its January 7, 2010, meeting received a presentation on the transportation study from staff. After review and discussion, the TAC unanimously voted to accept the Blue Creek Transportation Study as presented by staff and recommend approval of the study to the governing bodies to incorporate it into the Billings Urban Area Transportation Plan.

The Planning Board at its February 9, 2010, meeting conducted a public hearing on the study to receive public comment. The Planning Board voted to forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider a recommendation to PCC on the Blue Creek Transportation Study at its meeting on February 25.

The Exectuve Summary of the Blue Creek Transportation Study is attached to this memo. The full report is available at the Planning Division Office.

The City Council may:

• Recommend approval of the plan to the Policy Coordinating Committee.
• Recommend denial of the plan to the Policy Coordinating Committee.

There should be no direct financial impact from the adoption of this plan. However, the plan should assist with transportation project identification and prioritization for the Blue Creek community.

Staff recommends that City Council recommend approval of the Blue Creek Transportation Study to the Policy Coordinating Committee.