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| Date: | 03/17/2026 |
| Title: | 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan Project List and MPO PL Boundary Amendment |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | No |
Information
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approve the amendment to the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Planning Boundary based on the recommendations of the City-County Planning Board (Planning Board), Billings City Council (City Council), and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
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
Review all project entries for accurate descriptions, timelines, costs, and funding sources.
Identify discrepancies between listed projects and current funding allocations.
Work with MPO, City and County staff, and MDT to verify project data.
Provide a summary report with findings and recommendations for corrections.
Redesign of Project List
Develop a revised project list with clearer descriptions and funding alignment.
Propose a standardized format for readability and ease of use.
Ensure compliance with FHWA and MDT guidelines.
Incorporate feedback from MPO staff and stakeholders.
Urban Planning Boundary Update
Analyze 2020 Census data and demographic shifts affecting the boundary.
Create updated GIS maps and support documentation.
Integrate the new boundary into the 2023 LRTP.
LRTP Modification
Update the LRTP to reflect the revised project list and urban planning boundary.
Ensure the modification aligns with FHWA and MDT requirements.
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
Review all project entries for accurate descriptions, timelines, costs, and funding sources. Identify discrepancies between listed projects and current funding allocations. Work with MPO, City and County staff, and MDT to verify project data. Provide a summary report with findings and recommendations for corrections.Redesign of Project List
Develop a revised project list with clearer descriptions and funding alignment. Propose a standardized format for readability and ease of use. Ensure compliance with FHWA and MDT guidelines. Incorporate feedback from MPO staff and stakeholders.Urban Planning Boundary Update
Analyze 2020 Census data and demographic shifts affecting the boundary. Create updated GIS maps and support documentation. Integrate the new boundary into the 2023 LRTP. LRTP Modification
Update the LRTP to reflect the revised project list and urban planning boundary. Ensure the modification aligns with FHWA and MDT requirements. 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 22, 2025. This webinar was recorded and located on the MPO website for public access and information. This webinar covered two main topics, the Financial Plan and Project List Update, and the adjustment to the Metropolitan Planning Boundary.
The Technical Advisory Committee on December 11, 2015, reviewed and recommended that the local governing bodies forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The Planning Board, Board of County Commissioners and Billings City Council have all recommended that PCC approve the LRTP and Boundary Amendment.
The Technical Advisory Committee on December 11, 2015, reviewed and recommended that the local governing bodies forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The Planning Board, Board of County Commissioners and Billings City Council have all recommended that PCC approve the LRTP and Boundary Amendment.
ALTERNATIVES
The PCC may:
- Approve the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment based on the recommendations of the governing bodies which will allow the continuation of federal transportation planning funding for the MPO; or,
- Not approve the LRTP and MPO Boundary Amendment, contradicting the recommendation of the governing bodies. Not approving the amendment could jeopardize continued federal transportation planning funding for the MPO.
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. This action does not approve specific projects or funds at the project level to move a project forward.
SUMMARY
This memo outlines a proposed amendment to the 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the MPO Planning Boundary in response to findings from a 2024 FHWA/MDT review. While the review found the Billings MPO to be largely compliant, it required two technical updates: redesigning the LRTP project list and updating the MPO’s urban planning boundary to reflect 2020 Census data. The City contracted with Kittelson & Associates in March 2025 to complete these updates, which included a project list audit, boundary analysis, LRTP modifications, and public outreach. The amendment improves clarity, ensures compliance with federal and state requirements, helps protect and potentially expand access to federal transportation funding, and better positions staff for the next LRTP update in 2028. Staff is asking the PCC to approve the LRTP and Boundary amendment.
Attachments
- LRTP Changes Reference Sheet
- Billings 2023 LRTP Amended Document
- Appendices A,B,F
- Appendices G,H,I,J
- Current MPO Planning Area Boundary
- Proposed MPO Planning Area Boundary