The City Council is being asked to approve a contract with Dowl to develop a Billings Bypass Corridor Study to evaluate the land use and transportation needs along the proposed alignment of the Billings Bypass focused on the corridor north of the Yellowstone River. 

Through a competitive RFP and selection process conducted in December 2020, two proposals were returned, one from Sanderson Stewart (Billings) for $118,000 and Dowl for $119,960.  Based on the Scope of Work advertised in the RFP (attached in the Contract as Exhibit A), Dowl was recommended by the selection committee to complete the Billings Bypass Corridor Study. The selection is in accordance with the City's policies for professional services and MDT requirements since transportation planning funds are used to fund this project. The study will address future access options based on future land use and development along the roadway, potential future intersections, storm water management, bicycle and pedestrian access and transportation safety along the corridor.  The full scope of work proposed by the Consultant is outlined in Exhibit A of the contract.  The contract requires the Scope of Work and Document package to be completed in draft form within 10-months of contract signing with a not to exceed amount of $119,960. 

This project is identified in the adopted 2021 Billings Urban Area Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which City Council recommended for approval in August of 2020. The Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) ultimately approved the document in August of 2020. The UPWP is developed each year and identifies tasks to be completed through the use of Federal Planning dollars allocated to the Metropolitan Planning Organization.