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| Date: | 12/11/2025 |
| Title: | 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan Project List and MPO PL Boundary Amendment |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) review the amended 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Planning Boundary and recommend approval to the Planning Board, City Council, and County Commissioners.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducted a routine review in 2024 of the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The review was very positive overall as to the operations and compliance of the MPO. The report following the review stated: "The result of the review is a finding that the Billings metropolitan planning process substantially complies with the regulations under Subpart C -- Metropolitan Transportation Planning and Programming -- 23 CFR § 450 and related FHWA/FTA guidance."
However, there were several findings of the review that the MPO must address. Two findings focused on technical elements of the Billings Long Range Transportation Plan adopted in 2023. The findings specifically called for redesigning the project list in the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and updating the MPO's urban planning boundary to align with 2020 Census data. The FHWA did not express concerns over the project list information when it reviewed the plan for adoption in 2023. It was not until the review in 2024 that the agency brought up the issue and so the MPO is following the review findings to make sure the MPO and LRTP are in conformance.
Completion of these findings ensures compliance with federal and state guidelines while improving project transparency and usability. Amendment of the Urban Planning Boundary also may increase the MPO's access to transportation funding based on the additional area that may be included.
Staff will also address these review elements in preparation of the next Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update, which is required every five years and scheduled for completion in 2028. Completing these technical updates now will better position MPO staff to conduct most of the LRTP update in-house, relying on only limited external technical support.
In March 2025, the City Council approved the Consulting Contract with Kittelson & Associates to complete the scope of this project. The scope of work for this specific set of technical findings — redesigning the project list in the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and updating the MPO's urban planning boundary — includes:
Project List Audit
o Review all project entries for accurate descriptions, timelines, costs, and funding sources.
o Identify discrepancies between listed projects and current funding allocations.
o Work with MPO, City and County staff, and MDT to verify project data.
o Provide a summary report with findings and recommendations for corrections.
Redesign of Project List
o Develop a revised project list with clearer descriptions and funding alignment.
o Propose a standardized format for readability and ease of use.
o Ensure compliance with FHWA and MDT guidelines.
o Incorporate feedback from MPO staff and stakeholders.
Urban Planning Boundary Update
o Analyze 2020 Census data and demographic shifts affecting the boundary.
o Create updated GIS maps and support documentation.
o Integrate the new boundary into the 2023 LRTP.
LRTP Modification
o Update the LRTP to reflect the revised project list and urban planning boundary.
o Ensure the modification aligns with FHWA and MDT requirements.
o Conduct public outreach and document community feedback.
However, there were several findings of the review that the MPO must address. Two findings focused on technical elements of the Billings Long Range Transportation Plan adopted in 2023. The findings specifically called for redesigning the project list in the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and updating the MPO's urban planning boundary to align with 2020 Census data. The FHWA did not express concerns over the project list information when it reviewed the plan for adoption in 2023. It was not until the review in 2024 that the agency brought up the issue and so the MPO is following the review findings to make sure the MPO and LRTP are in conformance.
Completion of these findings ensures compliance with federal and state guidelines while improving project transparency and usability. Amendment of the Urban Planning Boundary also may increase the MPO's access to transportation funding based on the additional area that may be included.
Staff will also address these review elements in preparation of the next Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update, which is required every five years and scheduled for completion in 2028. Completing these technical updates now will better position MPO staff to conduct most of the LRTP update in-house, relying on only limited external technical support.
In March 2025, the City Council approved the Consulting Contract with Kittelson & Associates to complete the scope of this project. The scope of work for this specific set of technical findings — redesigning the project list in the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and updating the MPO's urban planning boundary — includes:
Project List Audit
o Review all project entries for accurate descriptions, timelines, costs, and funding sources.
o Identify discrepancies between listed projects and current funding allocations.
o Work with MPO, City and County staff, and MDT to verify project data.
o Provide a summary report with findings and recommendations for corrections.
Redesign of Project List
o Develop a revised project list with clearer descriptions and funding alignment.
o Propose a standardized format for readability and ease of use.
o Ensure compliance with FHWA and MDT guidelines.
o Incorporate feedback from MPO staff and stakeholders.
Urban Planning Boundary Update
o Analyze 2020 Census data and demographic shifts affecting the boundary.
o Create updated GIS maps and support documentation.
o Integrate the new boundary into the 2023 LRTP.
LRTP Modification
o Update the LRTP to reflect the revised project list and urban planning boundary.
o Ensure the modification aligns with FHWA and MDT requirements.
o Conduct public outreach and document community feedback.
STAKEHOLDERS
Stakeholder engagement was a component of this project's development. Kittelson maintained extensive communication with the MPO, City, County, MDT, and FHWA to ensure compliance with the LRTP revisions and the MPO boundary amendment. Additionally, the project included a public webinar held on October 22nd. This webinar was recorded and located on the MPO website. This webinar covered two main topics, the Financial Plan and Project List Update, and the adjustment to the Metropolitan Planning Boundary.
ALTERNATIVES
TAC may:
1. Approve the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment and give a positive recommendation to the governing bodies.
2. Make amendments to the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment, approve it, and give a positive recommendation to the governing bodies.
3. Reject the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment and give a negative recommendation to the governing bodies. Rejection of the Amendment would conflict with the operations of the Billings MPO and could lead to negative impacts to future Federal funding. This would affect Planning staff, resources, and future transportation planning programs.
1. Approve the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment and give a positive recommendation to the governing bodies.
2. Make amendments to the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment, approve it, and give a positive recommendation to the governing bodies.
3. Reject the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment and give a negative recommendation to the governing bodies. Rejection of the Amendment would conflict with the operations of the Billings MPO and could lead to negative impacts to future Federal funding. This would affect Planning staff, resources, and future transportation planning programs.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Approving the 2023 LRTP project list update and MPO PL boundary amendment helps maintain federal funding eligibility by ensuring the financial plan is fiscally constrained and compliant with federal transportation planning requirements. Updating the boundary to match the current urbanized area also protects access to key federal programs, such as Surface Transportation Grant, Transportation Alternative Program, and PL funds, and reduces the risk of misallocated or lost funding.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) review the amended 2023 LRTP and MPO Boundary and forward a recommendation of approval to the Planning Board, City Council, and County Commissioners. This amendment responds to findings from the 2024 FHWA/MDT review, which—although highly positive overall—identified two required technical corrections: redesigning the LRTP project list and updating the MPO’s urban planning boundary to reflect 2020 Census data. Addressing these findings ensures full compliance with federal and state requirements, improves the clarity and accuracy of the LRTP, and may expand eligibility for federal transportation funding. Completing these updates now also prepares staff for the next LRTP update due in 2028, allowing much of the work to be completed in-house.
To accomplish this work, the City contracted with Kittelson & Associates in March 2025 to audit and revise the LRTP project list, update the urban planning boundary, and modify the LRTP accordingly. This included detailed project verification, standardized formatting improvements, GIS boundary updates, and public outreach such as the October 22nd webinar. TAC may recommend approval as presented, recommend approval with revisions, or reject the amendment; however, rejecting it could jeopardize federal funding and hinder future MPO operations. Approving the amendment maintains federal funding eligibility and ensures the LRTP remains fiscally constrained and aligned with federal transportation planning requirements.
To accomplish this work, the City contracted with Kittelson & Associates in March 2025 to audit and revise the LRTP project list, update the urban planning boundary, and modify the LRTP accordingly. This included detailed project verification, standardized formatting improvements, GIS boundary updates, and public outreach such as the October 22nd webinar. TAC may recommend approval as presented, recommend approval with revisions, or reject the amendment; however, rejecting it could jeopardize federal funding and hinder future MPO operations. Approving the amendment maintains federal funding eligibility and ensures the LRTP remains fiscally constrained and aligned with federal transportation planning requirements.
Attachments
- Change Reference Sheet
- Billings 2023 LRTP Amended Document
- LRTP Appendix A
- LRTP Appendix B
- Current MPO Planning Area Boundary
- Proposed MPO Planning Area Boundary