The Billings MPO identified the need to conduct a corridor study to evaluate transportation needs along the proposed alignment of the Inner Belt Loop.  This study examines the proposed corridor from the terminus of Skyway Drive and Alkali Creek Road to the Highway 3 and Zimmerman Trail intersection and addresses future access options as development occurs along the roadway, potential intersections, storm water management, landscaping, bicycle and pedestrian access, building and development layout and transportation safety along the corridor.

 

The Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) through a competitive process hired Sanderson Stewart to develop a corridor planning study of the future Inner Belt Loop corridor in Billings and Yellowstone County. The extent of the study area is from the Skyway Drive/West Wicks Lane intersection on the northeast to the Montana Highway 3/Zimmerman Trail intersection on the south terminus of the connection.

The Inner Belt Loop project has been discussed for almost 30 years as a way to provide a much-needed connection between the Billings Heights and West End. Formal work on this project began in 2005 with a planning study to identify the feasibility of a connection through northwest Billings and identify a preferred route. This study included substantial public participation opportunities that resulted in broad approval by the community. Additionally, this study is specifically related to the vision of the corridor and how it can function. Design of the roadway was started in 2009 with construction of Skyway Drive completed in 2014. The City has allocated in the current CIP $7 million toward construction of the road in 2022 with the remaining $7 million needed to complete the road in 2024. In addition, the City of Billings applied for a BUILD Grant in May for the amount of approximately $16.8 million to complete the construction of the Inner Belt Loop, Skyline Trail, and Stagecoach Trail. If awarded, the city will be able to save the additional $7 million to complete the roadway that was anticipated to be needed in 2024.  Announcement of the BUILD grant results is set for September 15.

The desired outcome of the study is to provide a vision for the corridor that balances the need to plan for new development that will inevitably occur around the roadway while ensuring a safe, connected community.  The analysis and recommendations in the plan were identified through extensive data analysis along with public and stakeholder involvement. The goal is to develop principals that are consistent with principals within the City of Billings Growth Policy.

Several recommendations were formed as an outcome from this study and include, but are not limited to:

• Formalized intergovernmental agreement between the City and County to develop a coordinated approach to land use and development within the City or the County along the corridor.
• Application of development tools such as neighborhood planning; continued review and update to the Limits of Annexation Map; identify design standards within project Re:Code for appropriate zoning; and develop a plan for utility expansion, primarily water and sewer.
• Design considerations such as recommending that the current Right-of-Way width of 90 feet be expanded to 100 feet to provide flexibility in building setbacks, multi-use facilities, drainage, lighting, boulevard sidewalk and raised center median for access control.
• The study also identified options for roadway phasing if the city is not successful in the BUILD grant and local funding is split between years 2022 and 2024.
• Water and sewer infrastructure tools that will support development along the Inner Belt Loop that could include private property owner agreements, reimbursement agreements and Special Improvement or Rural Improvement Districts.

The contract for the Inner Belt Loop Corridor Study with Sanderson Stewart was budgeted at $100,000. The majority of the funding is through the Billings Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's Federal PL (planning) funds. PL funds for this project required a 40% local match, which was provided through the Planning Division's FY19 and FY20 Council-approved budgets and 2020 Unified Planning Work Program, utilizing its County-Wide Planning Mill Levy revenues.

Although the study does not provide exact costs associated with corridor design elements, beyond the roadway and pathway elements that are already designed, or the expansion of services such as water and sewer, the study does provide general information on what costs to expect with development of the roadway.
 

Staff recommends that at the June 23 meeting, the Yellowstone County Planning Board receive a presentation on the Inner Belt Loop Corridor Study and conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the plan.  The Planning Board is scheduled to take formal action on the Study and provide a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) at its July 14 meeting.  The PCC is scheduled to take final action on the study at it's meeting on July 21, 2020.