Consent 1.F.
City Council Regular Business Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 09/28/2026
- TITLE
- Billings MPO 2027-2031 Transportation Improvement Program
- PRESENTED BY:
- Lora Mattox
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
No
Legal Review:
No
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council forward a recommendation of approval of the 2027-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The PCC is scheduled to take final action on the TIP at its meeting on October 13, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization’s federally required, short-range program of transportation projects anticipated to receive federal transportation funding within the Billings Metropolitan Planning Area. The TIP is developed in coordination with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), local jurisdictions, and transportation partners.
The proposed 2027–2031 TIP does not change the Billings MPO’s currently programmed projects or funding. The only update to the document is the incorporation of MDT’s current safety performance measures, updated Transit Asset Management information, and an update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan targets. Adoption of the new TIP primarily places the Billings MPO on the coordinated statewide MPO TIP schedule.
The MPO planning process includes public hearings and opportunities for comment at Planning Board, City Council, County Commission, and Policy Coordinating Committee meetings. The City Council may recommend approval to maintain eligibility for federal transportation funding or decline approval, which could risk funding. The TIP does not directly affect City or County budgets, as federal funds support the projects and local projects are already included in other plans.
The proposed 2027–2031 TIP does not change the Billings MPO’s currently programmed projects or funding. The only update to the document is the incorporation of MDT’s current safety performance measures, updated Transit Asset Management information, and an update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan targets. Adoption of the new TIP primarily places the Billings MPO on the coordinated statewide MPO TIP schedule.
The MPO planning process includes public hearings and opportunities for comment at Planning Board, City Council, County Commission, and Policy Coordinating Committee meetings. The City Council may recommend approval to maintain eligibility for federal transportation funding or decline approval, which could risk funding. The TIP does not directly affect City or County budgets, as federal funds support the projects and local projects are already included in other plans.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The TIP is the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization’s federally required, short-range program of transportation projects anticipated to receive federal transportation funding within the Billings Metropolitan Planning Area. The TIP is developed in coordination with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), local jurisdictions, and transportation partners.
The Billings MPO is adopting a new 2027–2031 TIP primarily to coordinate the TIP development and review schedules of Montana’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Moving the Billings MPO to this schedule will place Montana MPOs on a consistent TIP timeline, improving coordination among the MPOs, MDT, and federal transportation agencies. The only update to the document is the incorporation of MDT’s current safety performance measures, updated Transit Asset Management information, and an update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan targets.
Purpose of the 2027–2031 TIP
The primary purpose of adopting the 2027–2031 TIP at this time is administrative coordination rather than changes to the MPO’s transportation investment priorities. Establishing a common TIP timeline for Montana MPOs will:
The Billings MPO is adopting a new 2027–2031 TIP primarily to coordinate the TIP development and review schedules of Montana’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Moving the Billings MPO to this schedule will place Montana MPOs on a consistent TIP timeline, improving coordination among the MPOs, MDT, and federal transportation agencies. The only update to the document is the incorporation of MDT’s current safety performance measures, updated Transit Asset Management information, and an update to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan targets.
Purpose of the 2027–2031 TIP
The primary purpose of adopting the 2027–2031 TIP at this time is administrative coordination rather than changes to the MPO’s transportation investment priorities. Establishing a common TIP timeline for Montana MPOs will:
- Align the Billings MPO TIP cycle with the other Montana MPOs;
- Provide a more consistent statewide schedule for TIP development, review, and approval;
- Improve coordination with MDT and federal transportation partners; and
- Simplify future TIP and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) coordination.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The TIP identifies available federal funding sources for transportation projects; however, many federally funded projects require a local match, which may have implications for City and County budgets. These local contributions are typically identified in other planning documents, such as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Non-federally funded projects are also accounted for in these existing planning documents. No funding commitments are being made through this TIP amendment process, as actual project specific funding and development occur as projects move through federal, state and local processes.
STAKEHOLDERS
The MPO’s Transportation Planning Process includes multiple opportunities for public input. The Planning Board will host a public hearing, with additional public comment opportunities at Billings City Council, the Board of County Commissioners, and the Policy Coordinating Committee meetings.
ALTERNATIVES
The TIP provides the MPO a listing of federally funded projects through 2031. The City Council may:
- Forward a recommendation of approval of the 2027-2031 TIP to the PCC which will allow the continuation of federal funds to the MPO, or;
- Not forward a recommendation of approval of the 2027-2031 TIP to the PCC. Not forwarding a positive recommendation could jeopardize continued federal funding in the MPO.