County approves Billings MPO 2024–28 Transportation Improvement Program
March 12, 2024 | Yellowstone, Montana
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The Board of County Commissioners on March 12 approved the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 2024–28 Transportation Improvement Program, a five‑year fiscal plan that Laura, a Billings MPO presenter, said will bring "approximately $310,000,000 over the next five years" in federal funds to the region.
The MPO presentation, delivered by Laura and Sarah Graham of Metransit, outlined how funds from federal programs will be allocated across highways, transit and transportation-alternative projects. "Some of these are direct allocations for the MPO to programs such as the STPU," Laura said, and she identified which programs the MPO controls and which are managed by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).
Laura highlighted several large projects included in the TIP: continued work on the Billings Bypass (local governing bodies directed up to $26,000,000 of urban and CMAQ funds to the project), an estimated remaining local budget of about $76,000,000 for unfinished work, and a cited total project estimate of up to about $186,000,000. She also said work on the Yellowstone I‑90 corridor is nearing completion and called out upcoming local projects including Exposition Drive, First Avenue North reconstruction and Airport Road/Main Street improvements slated for 2027.
Sarah Graham summarized MET transit allocations and program updates. "We do 80% federal, 20% local match on maintenance and paratransit as opposed to 50% on fixed route," she said, and listed planned purchases and upgrades including several paratransit vans, security camera installations in 2024–25 at the administration building and transfer centers, and updated 5310 apportionments that provide a paratransit van to MET and one to the Adult Resource Alliance.
After the presentation the board moved and seconded a motion to approve the TIP. The board approved the program by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not specified in the record. Laura said the board’s action recommendation will be carried to the Policy Coordinating Committee next Tuesday.
The approved TIP sets funding priorities and schedules for multiple transportation and transit projects across the MPO area; implementation details and specific project schedules will be refined as design and state coordination continue.
The MPO presentation, delivered by Laura and Sarah Graham of Metransit, outlined how funds from federal programs will be allocated across highways, transit and transportation-alternative projects. "Some of these are direct allocations for the MPO to programs such as the STPU," Laura said, and she identified which programs the MPO controls and which are managed by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).
Laura highlighted several large projects included in the TIP: continued work on the Billings Bypass (local governing bodies directed up to $26,000,000 of urban and CMAQ funds to the project), an estimated remaining local budget of about $76,000,000 for unfinished work, and a cited total project estimate of up to about $186,000,000. She also said work on the Yellowstone I‑90 corridor is nearing completion and called out upcoming local projects including Exposition Drive, First Avenue North reconstruction and Airport Road/Main Street improvements slated for 2027.
Sarah Graham summarized MET transit allocations and program updates. "We do 80% federal, 20% local match on maintenance and paratransit as opposed to 50% on fixed route," she said, and listed planned purchases and upgrades including several paratransit vans, security camera installations in 2024–25 at the administration building and transfer centers, and updated 5310 apportionments that provide a paratransit van to MET and one to the Adult Resource Alliance.
After the presentation the board moved and seconded a motion to approve the TIP. The board approved the program by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not specified in the record. Laura said the board’s action recommendation will be carried to the Policy Coordinating Committee next Tuesday.
The approved TIP sets funding priorities and schedules for multiple transportation and transit projects across the MPO area; implementation details and specific project schedules will be refined as design and state coordination continue.
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