Staff recommends that the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approve the Billings Bypass Corridor Study based on the recommendations of the City-County Planning Board, Billings City Council, and the Board of County Commissioners.

The MPO hired Dowl through a competitive process to develop the Corridor Study. Development of this study was led by an Advisory Committee (AC) consisting of the Billings MPO, City of Billings, Yellowstone County, local community leaders, and MDT staff members as technical support. The Billings Bypass Corridor Study offers the unique chance to vision while simultaneously laying a solid foundation for the thoughtful and safe growth of the area around the north portion of the Billings Bypass Corridor north of the Yellowstone River. Specifically Five Mile Road from Old Highway 312 to Mary Street, a new roadway, that is being called Trailhead Road, from the Main Street/US 87/junction to the roundabout at 5 Mile Road, a continuation of Trailhead Road from the roundabout at 5 Mile Road across the Yellowstone River.

The recommendations in this study are the result of careful research, extensive data collection and analysis, and inclusive public and stakeholder involvement involving review of the Transportation system, land use, Public and Private utilities, floodplains, irrigation and drainage. Results achieved through this study will provide insight for the final design and construction of the Billings Bypass and provide guidance for future urban development along the corridor. There has been one recommended update to this study by the City Council and that is removing the word "municipal" and replacing it with "public utilities" in references to water and sewer services, and also adding some clarity to the need for additional water and sewer master planning to determine future capacity needs and extensions. This is all focused on Page 29 of the study where water and sewer infrastructure is described in detail.

The development of the Study afforded several opportunities for public participation during the drafting phase. The adoption process also invites stakeholder input. During the Planning Board Meeting on November 22nd, the Planning Board received a detailed presentation from Lisa Olmstead of DOWL, consultant for the project.  Following the presentation, Scott Walker, Transportation Planning Coordinator added some information regarding the public participation process. Scott noted that in the beginning the public seemed to be more focused on the road infrastructure and construction plans as opposed to the visioning process. Scott clarified that as the project progressed the public was more engaged in the visioning.  At this meeting, the public hearing was held and there was no public testimony during the hearing. Lisa Olmstead highlighted the roadway will complete a missing link between Lockwood and the Heights and will draw these two communities closer. This study was also reviewed during work sessions with both the City Council and Board of County Commission. During regularly scheduled meetings, where the public was allowed to comment, the City Council and BOCC voted to recommend approval of the plan.  The City Council acted on the study during its regular meeting January 9 and it was approved by the County Commissioners on January 10, 2023.

The Policy Coordinating Committee may:
Approve the Billings Bypass Corridor Study or,
Recommend disapproval of the Billings Bypass Corridor Study. Since the City Council, County Commission and Planning Board approved this project in the MPO's annual work program and in the Planning Division's annual budget, disapproving the study would be inconsistent with past commitment to completing this study.

There is no fiscal effect to adopting this plan. Plan recommendations may be considered as the City develops its Capital Improvement Plan and the County develops their financial plan or applies for grants in the future and direct infrastructure costs will be determined at that time.

This corridor study was a planning-level assessment of a study area occurring concurrent to construction of the Billings Bypass roadway. The study included review of: The Transportation System, Land Use, Public and Private utilities, Floodplains, Irrigation and Drainage, corridor aesthetics and vision. Information for this study was collected from consultation with technical experts, public and stakeholder engagement opportunities, and thorough research. This information has been compiled to present a vision for transportation and land use and used as a foundation for urban development planning and recommendations for the corridor area north of the Yellowstone River.