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| Date: | 04/15/2025 |
| Title: | Request to MDT for Local Federal Funding Priority - Grand Avenue |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
Information
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approve adding Grand Avenue from 41st Street West to 62nd Street West as a local priority for federal funding per the PCC member recommendations. Upon approval, MPO staff request that the PCC sign the formal request letter for submission to MDT.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for coordinating regional transportation planning and allocating federal funds to eligible projects. MPO sponsorship is required for local projects seeking federal funding through programs such as the Surface Transportation Program - Urban (STPU) and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. Sponsorship ensures the project meets federal eligibility requirements and allows it to compete for funding.
In March 2023, the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved a request to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to add Grand Avenue (from 41st Street West to 62nd Street West) and 62nd Street West (from Grand Avenue to just north of Rimrock Road) to the Urban Highway System. The MDT Highway Commission approved this request in April 2023, making the project eligible for federal funding. The PCC includes the Mayor of Billings, the Chair of the Yellowstone County Commission, the President of the Yellowstone County Planning Board, and the MDT District Administrator.
Currently, portions of Grand Avenue remain a two-lane county road in a growing area, lacking sidewalks and other multi-modal infrastructure. Increased traffic and the inability to separate left-turning vehicles present safety concerns. The project proposes upgrading Grand Avenue to city arterial standards, including a three-lane roadway, a multi-use path on one side, sidewalk on the other, and infrastructure for future MET Transit service. The construction of this project will address several Safe Routes to School projects identified in the SRTS Phase 2 plan. Additional improvements include streetlights, a new traffic signal at 56th Street West, and stormwater infrastructure to manage roadway runoff and local development drainage. The addition of Grand Avenue to the federal funding priority list will allow the City of Billings to reconstruct Grand Avenue into a city standard arterial roadway.
In March 2023, the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved a request to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to add Grand Avenue (from 41st Street West to 62nd Street West) and 62nd Street West (from Grand Avenue to just north of Rimrock Road) to the Urban Highway System. The MDT Highway Commission approved this request in April 2023, making the project eligible for federal funding. The PCC includes the Mayor of Billings, the Chair of the Yellowstone County Commission, the President of the Yellowstone County Planning Board, and the MDT District Administrator.
Currently, portions of Grand Avenue remain a two-lane county road in a growing area, lacking sidewalks and other multi-modal infrastructure. Increased traffic and the inability to separate left-turning vehicles present safety concerns. The project proposes upgrading Grand Avenue to city arterial standards, including a three-lane roadway, a multi-use path on one side, sidewalk on the other, and infrastructure for future MET Transit service. The construction of this project will address several Safe Routes to School projects identified in the SRTS Phase 2 plan. Additional improvements include streetlights, a new traffic signal at 56th Street West, and stormwater infrastructure to manage roadway runoff and local development drainage. The addition of Grand Avenue to the federal funding priority list will allow the City of Billings to reconstruct Grand Avenue into a city standard arterial roadway.
STAKEHOLDERS
The review of the Grand Avenue Federal funding request followed the MPO’s Transportation Planning Process, which provides multiple opportunities for public input. On March 13, the Technical Advisory Committee met and recommended that the governing bodies approve the request to add Grand Avenue as a local priority for Federal funding and forward the recommendation to the PCC. On March 25, the Planning Board, acting as the designated MPO, held a public hearing on the request, with no public testimony provided. After the hearing, the Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend adding Grand Avenue to the Federal funding priority list to the PCC. Additionally, on April 8, the Yellowstone County Commissioners recommended approval of the Grand Avenue request to the PCC. The Billings City Council is scheduled to take action on the request at its meeting on April 14.
ALTERNATIVES
The Policy Coordinating Committee may:
· Approve the addition of Grand Avenue from 41st to 62nd Street West as a local federal funding priority. Approval will allow federal funding sources to be allocated to the reconstruction of Grand Avenue to a city arterial roadway; or,
· Not approve the addition of Grand Avenue from 41st to 62nd Street West as a local federal funding priority. Disapproval will not allow federal funding sources to be allocated to the reconstruction of Grand Avenue to a city arterial roadway. The reconstruction of this roadway would be significantly delayed due to local funding limitations.
· Approve the addition of Grand Avenue from 41st to 62nd Street West as a local federal funding priority. Approval will allow federal funding sources to be allocated to the reconstruction of Grand Avenue to a city arterial roadway; or,
· Not approve the addition of Grand Avenue from 41st to 62nd Street West as a local federal funding priority. Disapproval will not allow federal funding sources to be allocated to the reconstruction of Grand Avenue to a city arterial roadway. The reconstruction of this roadway would be significantly delayed due to local funding limitations.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The Grand Avenue project is eligible for federal funding through CMAQ and STPU programs. No direct impact on City or County budgets is anticipated, however, required developer contribution funding through the Subdivision process is available as local contribution.
SUMMARY
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) coordinates regional transportation planning and allocates federal funds to eligible projects, ensuring alignment with long-term transportation goals. In 2023, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) approved the addition of Grand Avenue to the Urban Highway System, enabling federal funding eligibility. The project aims to upgrade Grand Avenue from 41st Street West to 62nd Street West to city arterial standards, including a three-lane roadway, a multi-use path, sidewalks, streetlights, a traffic signal, and stormwater improvements. Public input will be gathered through hearings and meetings. The City Council’s approval is crucial to securing federal funds through programs like CMAQ and STPU, as a lack of sponsorship could delay the project due to local funding limitations.