County endorses two Transportation Alternatives projects and will forward them to PCC

The Yellowstone County commissioners voted to forward two Transportation Alternatives Program grant nominations to the Policy Coordinating Committee for further action.

Laura (program staff) described two nominated projects: a City of Billings application to complete a Stagecoach Trail connection that links Skyline Trail, Zimmerman Park and Rimrock Road, and a county project in Lockwood to close a 2,200‑foot sidewalk gap on Old Hardin Road. She said the MPO’s allocation generated roughly $6.3 million in available funds and estimated about $620,000 would remain after these projects.

Laura described the program background, noting changes in federal transportation law and the move from prior community transportation enhancement allocations to statewide Transportation Alternatives funding and, for larger MPOs, direct allocations. She said the MPO mirrored Montana DOT’s application process for these nominations and expects PCC consideration on July 18 and subsequent state review by MDT and the Highway Commission.

A motion to forward the Transportation Alternatives Program nominations to the Policy Coordinating Committee passed by voice vote. The city’s project would be administered through the City of Billings and the county project would be run through MDT per the program rules, Laura said.