Under the new Transportation Bill, MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), funds have been appropriated for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA). The TA program provides funding for on and off road pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation, enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trails program projects; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways in the right-of-way of former Interstate routes. The TA program replaces the Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) that was utilized for numerous non-motorized projects in Billings in the past.

Under the TA Program, project applications must be submitted by September 6, 2013, to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).  This new program is a competitive grant process and applications are scored based on criteria set by MDT for the new program.

Staff has identified three projects within the City of Billings that meet the criteria under the new program:

• Laurel Road Bike/Pedestrian Improvements – New bike/pedestrian path on the north side of Laurel Road to connect King Avenue West existing bike/pedestrian facilities with the 6th Street Underpass. New pedestrian crossings with median refuge areas are included. It will replace median materials to enhance bike/pedestrian experience. The cost estimate for this project is $1,416,000. Under the TA Program, local match for projects on urban routes are provided by the Montana Department of Transportation. This roadway is an urban route.
• Broadwater Trail - This project will enhance two significant trail systems by completing the last mile of trail to link them. The project includes a 10 foot wide, ADA accessible trail on Broadwater Avenue from 32nd Street West to Shiloh Road. The cost estimate for this project is $421,469.89. Under the TA Program, local match for projects on urban routes are provided by the Montana Department of Transportation. This roadway is an urban route.
• Highway 3 Pathway – This project begins on North 27th Street at the terminus of the Swords Park Bike/Pedestrian Trail and Underpass and extends west 3,000 feet, approximately to Cactus Drive. It includes the development of an 8 foot wide, ADA accessible trail along the Rim top and Highway 3. Under the TA Program, local match for projects on urban routes are provided by the Montana Department of Transportation. This roadway is an urban route.

The Billings City Council may direct staff to submit the three described applications, to submit different applications or it may decline to participate in the Transportation Alternative Program.

All three proposed projects are located on urban routes and therefore the local match will be provided by MDT. All projects have been reviewed by City Engineering, Planning staff, and the local MDT district.  MDT supports the projects.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit applications for the Laurel Road Bike/Pedestrian Improvements, the Broadwater Trail and the Highway 3 Pathway projects to MDT for funding under the competitive TA Program.