City Council was provided information from Planning and Public Works staff, and Big Sky Economic Development Authority staff at its September 6 Work Session regarding Yellowstone County’s interest in pursuing a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) III Federal Grant for intersection improvements at 6th Avenue North and Main Street. This item is not on the Council’s September 12 agenda and so Council would need to vote at the start of the meeting Monday evening to place it on the agenda for action. The Council vote would be to send its support to PCC for the TIGER III Grant application. An initial grant submittal is due October 3 with the final submittal due October 31.

This grant application would be the third attempt by local and state officials to try and secure federal funds to improve this intersection (See previous TIGER I and II Grant Applications Attached). The 6th/Main intersection is expected to be significantly impacted by traffic down Bench Boulevard when it is completed through METRA Park. Intersection improvements to improve traffic circulation, access for all transportation modes, and safety for pedestrian and drivers are needed. To improve the success of the TIGER III Grant application, support from the Policy Coordinating Committee is important. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on September 1 voted to: “Support a TIGER III grant application that is consistent with prior environmental documents, preserves all improvement options, emphasizes public participation, and if possible, addresses congestion mitigation at both the 4th Avenue North and 6th Avenue North intersections.” (See TAC minutes attached).

The City Council may:

• Support the TIGER III Grant Application for improvements at the 6th Ave. North/Main Street intersection; or
• Not support the TIGER III Grant Application for improvements at the 6th Ave. North/Main Street intersection.

Supporting the TIGER III Grant Application will not have any direct financial impact on the City. The Montana Department of Transportation has agreed to provide local match to the grant application contingent on the scope of the proposed project. Any potential financial impacts to the City from development of the infrastructure project or future maintenance of the infrastructure will be addressed during project planning and development if the grant is awarded.

Staff recommends the Council vote at its September 12 meeting to place this item on the meeting agenda, take action to support the TIGER III Grant Application for intersection improvements at the 6th Ave. North/Main Street, and instruct the Council's representative to carry that recommendation to the PCC on September 13th.