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| Date: | 03/21/2023 |
| Title: | Billings Functional Class Revisions and Urban Highway System Designations |
| Presented by: | Scott Walker |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
Information
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Billings MPO Policy Coordinating Committee sign the appropriate Maps and request to begin the process revising our MDT designated Functional Class and Highway System Designations for Grand Avenue and 62nd Street West.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
This is a formal request by the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to MDT to review the Functional Classification and Urban Highway designation of portions of Grand Ave and 62nd Street West to determine if the segments be added to the Urban Highway System.
Eligibility for Urban Highway System designation require a roadway to be functionally classified as a major collector or above. Functional classification is a method of classifying roads by the service they provide as part of the overall highway system. Most roadways have a predominate function – either to provide the motorist with access to abutting land or to allow movement through an area. For example, local road facilities emphasize the land access function, arterials emphasize a high level of mobility for through movement, and collectors offer a combination of both functions. MDT staff rely on the criteria and guidelines outlined in the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration manual “Highway Functional Classification – Concepts, Criteria and Procedures” to determine the appropriate functional classification of roadways.
MDT is recommending the following functional classification and system modifications, as shown on the attached maps:
Functional Classification Recommendations:
Additions to Urban Highway System
Eligibility for Urban Highway System designation require a roadway to be functionally classified as a major collector or above. Functional classification is a method of classifying roads by the service they provide as part of the overall highway system. Most roadways have a predominate function – either to provide the motorist with access to abutting land or to allow movement through an area. For example, local road facilities emphasize the land access function, arterials emphasize a high level of mobility for through movement, and collectors offer a combination of both functions. MDT staff rely on the criteria and guidelines outlined in the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration manual “Highway Functional Classification – Concepts, Criteria and Procedures” to determine the appropriate functional classification of roadways.
MDT is recommending the following functional classification and system modifications, as shown on the attached maps:
Functional Classification Recommendations:
- Grand Avenue from 52nd Street West to 62nd Street West be reclassified from a Minor Collector to a Major Collector (1.184 miles)
- 62nd Street West from Rimrock Road (L-56-532A) to Grand Avenue from a Minor Collector to a Major Collector (1.008 miles)
Additions to Urban Highway System
- Grand Avenue (L-56-503A) from Shiloh Road to 62nd Street West (2.713 miles)
- 62nd Street West (L-56-596A) from Rimrock Road (U-1034A) to Grand Avenue (1.144 miles)
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
FISCAL EFFECTS
The addition of these roadways to the Urban Highway system has no impact on the roadway ownership and maintenance responsibility, this responsibility remains with the City of Billings and Yellowstone County. There are also no fiscal effects from making this request for a system change. If the change were to be ultimately approved, it could make funds available for improvements to this corridor.