Staff recommends that the City Council forward a recommendation of approval of the Billings Bypass Corridor Study to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The PCC is scheduled to take final action on the plan at its January 17th meeting.

The Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is presenting the Billings Bypass Corridor Study to the City Council (CC) with the intent to have the Council forward a positive recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The MPO hired Dowl through a competitive process to develop the Corridor Study. Development of this study was led by an Advisory Committee (AC) consisting of the Billings MPO, City of Billings, Yellowstone County, local community leaders, and MDT staff members as technical support. The Billings Bypass Corridor Study offers the unique chance to vision while simultaneously laying a solid foundation for the thoughtful and safe growth of the area around the north portion of the Billings Bypass Corridor north of the Yellowstone River. Specifically Five Mile Road from Old Highway 312 to Mary Street, a new roadway, that is being called Trailhead Road, from the Main Street/US 87/junction to the roundabout at 5 Mile Road, a continuation of Trailhead Road from the roundabout at 5 Mile Road across the Yellowstone River. 

The recommendations in this study are the result of careful research, extensive data collection and analysis, and inclusive public and stakeholder involvement involving review of the Transportation system, land use, Public and Private utilities, floodplains, irrigation and drainage. Results achieved through this study will provide insight for the final design and construction of the Billings Bypass and provide guidance for future urban development along the corridor.

The development of the Study afforded several opportunities for public participation during the drafting phase. The adoption process also invites stakeholder input. During the Planning Board Meeting on November 22nd, the Planning Board received a detailed presentation from Lisa Olmstead of DOWL, consultant for the project.  Following the presentation, Scott Walker, Transportation Planning Coordinator added some information regarding the public participation process. Scott noted that in the beginning the public seemed to be more focused on the road infrastructure and construction plans as opposed to the visioning process. Scott clarified that as the project progressed the public was more engaged in the visioning.  At this meeting, the public hearing was held and there was no public testimony during the hearing. The hearing was closed and discussion came back to the Board. Board Member Woods commented on his experience participating in the public meetings and emphasized that this study is a tool for visioning and for identifying possibilities in the future. President Cook shared the significance of the City and County working together to achieve outcomes related to the future of this corridor. Lisa Olmstead highlighted the roadway will complete a missing link between Lockwood and the Heights and will draw these two communities closer. President Cook also shared the town center concept is intriguing. Scott Walker shared with the Board some similarities in how corridors develop and how there is potential for similar scale developments along Shiloh Road and this new corridor holds similar potential. The Planning Board took action on this item at its meeting on December 13th and unanimously recommended approval to the PCC which will meet on January 17th to take final local action on the study.

This study was reviewed and presented to City Council during a work session on January 3, 2023.

City Council may:

• Recommend approval of the Billings Bypass Corridor Study to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) through the City's PCC representative; or,
• Recommend disapproval of the Billings Bypass Corridor Study to the Policy Coordinating Committee through the City's PCC representative. Since the City Council approved this project in the MPO's annual work program, in the Planning Division's annual budget, and approved the contract for the project, disapproving the study would be inconsistent with past commitment to completing this study.

There is no fiscal effect to adopting this plan. Plan recommendations may be considered as the City develops its Capital Improvement Plan or applies for grants in the future and direct infrastructure costs will be determined at that time.

This corridor study was a planning-level assessment of a study area occurring concurrent to construction of the Billings Bypass roadway. The study included review of: The Transportation System, Land Use, Public and Private utilities, Floodplains, Irrigation and Drainage, corridor aesthetics and vision. Information for this study was collected from consultation with technical experts, public and stakeholder engagement opportunities, and thorough research. This information has been compiled to present a vision for transportation and land use and used as a foundation for urban development planning and recommendations for the corridor area north of the Yellowstone River.