More than 40 people from Billings turned out on a stormy winter night last December 14, 2015, to learn more about three critical bike and pedestrian links which relate to four different projects or studies occurring in the Billings Community:

1. An underpass at the top of Zimmerman Trail
   • MT3-Zimmerman Trail Intersection Improvements (MDT)
   • Trail Hwy 3 and Zimmerman Trail Pass and Rimrocks to Valley Study
2. A bike/ped facility on the I-90 Bridge (Coulson toward FourDances)
   • I-90 Yellowstone River Bridge replacement (MDT)
3. A bike/ped facility on the Billing Bypass
   • Off street trail from Johnson Lane to Mary St, including bridge

 

Notes from the meeting are below:

Presentation #1 Underpass at the top of Zimmerman Trail

Trail Hwy 3 and Zimmerman Trail Underpass West to East at Zimmerman (2 separate Projects)

 

Presenter – Michael Sanderson from Sanderson Stewart– Highway 3 off-street, multiuse trail

 

• Hwy 3 Corridor Study looked at many pieces of corridor – Billings would like to build a multiuse path along Hwy 3 Corridor. The study was adopted by city and MDT last year
• Parallel to hwy from 27^th roundabout to Indian Cliffs
• Evaluated developable properties, significant opportunity in Long Range Growth Plan LRGP; neighborhoods will be developed.

Identified 5 potential locations ideal for bike/ped crossing Hwy 3 with underpass, one of which runs east/west at Hwy 3. This will also align with intersect of Inner Belt Loop. Ideal to install an underpass at the location south of the proposed roundabout on Highway 3 and the top of Zimmerman Rd. –

• Another related study to be completed summer 2016: Rimrocks to Valley Bike and Ped Feasibility Study – investigating how to get bicyclists and pedestrians safely from top (Rims) to bottom (Valley) and how to provide good access and connectivity
• Four options:
  • Along 27th
  • 2 connections midway (Stanford Drive, and Country Club Circle )?
  • 1 along East side of Zimmerman trail

 

Q – How are these intersections set up?

Not part of the Zimmerman Trail piece, question for Tim Erikson (later presentation)

 

Q For proposed rim to valley connectors, are all 4 being looked at to do at same time or just one?

Feasibility study – evaluating feasibility for all routes – none of the projects are funded – but out of this, route feasibility is determined, will develop

costs, connectivity, criteria for merits etc.

 

1. How much space will roundabout take?

large 4 legged intersection.

When innerbelt loop comes in – could be similar in size to King at Shiloh Roundabout- Roundabouts are designed to accommodate any truck traffic.

innerbelt loop comes in

 

related to the bypass SS is working on Lockwood TEDD targeted economic development district – I90/94 Green line on map in PP presentation, John H Dover YRPA Park, Trailhead Commerce Industrial Park (see map)

part of SS Scope of Work (SOW)

 

Q Is the trail plan to connect Johnson Lane to the Bridge with an off-street multiuse path. That project is just getting started – it is within their SOW to figure out an alignment

 

Presenter – Tim Erickson from HDR Engineering – Zimmerman Trail reconstruction and MT3-Zimmerman Trail Intersection Improvements

These two projects are separate based on funding, but are combined for construction.

• Looking at projects independently, intersection improvements SOW primarily to address operation insufficiency at interchange – MDT performed a safety analysis – looked at different measures to improve safety – roundabout improved safety and is eligible for safety funding.
• 7 M funding safety funds is available at Hwy 3 intersection
• Project analyzing a signalized intersection as well as roundabout. Will run signal warrant analysis.
• The MT3-Zimmerman intersection will include pedestrian facilities.
• Looking at ped signals (HAWK) if it becomes a multilane roundabout.
• Zimmerman Trail reconstruction project is from Rimrock Road to MT3 intersection
• Widen roadway 4-foot shoulders – in alternative analysis to fit into remaining funding came from old safety earmark $ – rock fall used some Earmark monies, there are some bike ped features on the table depending on available funding or bid alternates could be to dovetail with rims to valley – ped paralleling hwy – down in slopes – hwy 3 corridor study recommending underpass – 4.5 M remains from the earmark for the project.
• Current status – survey and geotechnical investigations to guide design – what will and won’t work – planning on widening 12’ lane in each with 4′ shoulder signing striping illumination etc.
• Intersection – roundabout vs. signalized… developing preliminary roundabout alternative and signal warrant analysis.
• Currently doing traffic study including AM, midday and PM peaks of traffic, running traffic analysis what will work for a roundabout or signalized intersection.

 

Q What are the bike/ped facilities on that roundabout?

 

All 4 quadrants – similar to roundabouts on Shiloh – at grade pedestrian crossings – if multilane signalized

 

Q If there is a bike ped trail heading west how will they cross? Against traffic or do they have to enter the direction of the roundabout?

On exit of roundabout (like Shiloh) set back crosswalks 25′ minimum from roundabout

 

Q Is the bike ped crossings cross into middle? If you have traffic 4 directions Hawk light is on? How do all lanes know it is on?

Other signal rectangular rapid flashing beacon (when activated) – HAWK signals – rise up like street signal and more visible – stages yellow flashing red and flashing

Roundabouts designed for 20 MPH curvature – so speed similar

 

Q How many cars can stack within that distance?

Minimum 25′ – 1-2 max cars can stack probably 1

Crossing can be one or 2 stage –

 

Q what is the cost comparison of on street to east west underpass and north south underpass?

 

HAWK 40K per leg

160K for all 4 legs – Prices similar to recently installed crossings at new Belgrade interchange.

 

$500K range for underpass

If there was funding available for underpass, it is uncertain if the at-grade pedestrian crossing with signals (HAWK) would be required as well.

 

Q Earmark was to improve safety – we bend over backwards for motorists but don’t make the same effort for ped and bike – seems there should be more of this going to improve safety of ped and bike – have great trail that connects to Zimmerman Park – wasting huge opportunity to not place tunnel-

– All will be determined by funding. – With at grade crossing – effectively used with higher populations. Trail on west side of Shiloh at grade

 

-Q/Comments-4.6M (originally 7-8M) for safety all appears to car safety and none earmarked to bike safety – seems unreasonable – I would like to see underpass – in future – what is opportunity to emphasize underpass as preferred option?

“About funding sources” safety measures – funding sources are for their respective projects. The earmark will be used for Zimmerman Trail reconstruction and available HSIP safety funds will be used for the MT3-Zimmerman Intersection Improvements project and NH core funds.

 

Q How much designated for bike and ped safety?

Looking at this trail that corresponds with rim to valley – away from traffic off roadway? There is a great safety benefit to get ped and bike off roadway.

 

Q 2 questions

Where would money come from for off road bike ped Zimmerman?

Would be lumped into 4.5M pot and constructed in 2018

 

If it were down on the public property they would consider it as part of this project

 

1. Zimmerman Trail bordered by county or city parkland- what is being done to preserve area?

Full environmental analysis Best management practices –

 

1. Will city and county parks be involved in process?

 

Yes.
Q When you start designing projects – can you buy the ROW now for future development?

 

Comment Resident – served on planning board – Bike ped needs to be viable this community needs to leverage their money to pull in dollars – have viable non-motorized community – people want to be creative about getting funds- must build the from the beginning – much more expensive after the fact/retrofit-

Very little $ being spent on trails/peds/bikes compared to overall dollars – people are getting very few dollars – drop in the bucket almost nothing

 

What would cost be? If a separate pathway going up Zimmerman – roughly 250K (minimum, depending on many challenges associated with potential construction)

Tunnel 500K?

 

 

 

Presentation #2 A bike/ped facility on the Billing Bypass

Billings Bypass Project

 

Presenter- Todd Cormier from DOWL

 

• Contract Design August 2015, Map of preferred alternative Mary Option 2
• Reconstruct north of Johnson Lane, final will be 4-lane road with turn lane (5 total) interim 2 lanes and center turn as necessary
• Bridge Structure at Yellowstone River – either 1 or 2 structures? Road will parallel Mary, Mary Street will be converted to local road from arterial
• 5 Mile road will be improved Dover to 312
• New urban I-90 interchange at Johnson Lane (2 new bridge structures)
• Improved intersections
• Working with stakeholders to investigate ped bike facilities Lockwood, City, YRPA, MDT, YC, TEDD

 

Q – The ROD and FEIS have a 20 year horizon? Design of the facility is 20 year? Design is at least 5-7 year process for all the segments, meeting with DOT to split the project up.

5 Mile Road first – will probably be followed by later sections

Bridge over Yellowstone river 2 construction seasons. 7 or more years minimum total.

Now fieldwork – just starting. Survey done, traffic analysis hydraulic analysis, fieldwork continues in spring geotech – first project in a few years

Will know what to do with ped and bike facilities within the next 2 years

 

Q Are you getting input from Lockwood?

Yes Lockwood Steering Committee, YRPA and TEDD

 

Q What are the range of options for bike ped?

Bike and ped allowed on any state road – minimum design is to use shoulder

Maximum design – 10-foot multiuse path on both sides – they will go through and figure out what that needs to be-

 

Q Existing Kiwanis trail – pushing that through? grade separation through the park

may be some tunnels

 

Q How long is bridge over the Yellowstone River ?

2,000 ft (1/2 mile)

What are possible options on that bridge? Hanging underneath example Madison Street in Missoula, (that is 500ft.)  Considerations – cost and other structural – high at one end 120 ft would need fencing lighting etc., options on top – wider raised sidewalk with traffic barrier, cost 180/sq foot   4 Million additional bridge cost

Q If there was a separated path with traffic barriers can you narrow the roadway –

 

Statement and Q – I would like to see us avoid shoulder only, if barrier is there can we reduce the size of the shoulders?

Vehicles need shoulders as well. if go with 2 structures, first structure would have wide shoulders for both lanes the next would have wide should and then narrow

 

Q At previous meeting we were told that design for street that parallel Mary nearest lane would be about 80′

50-80′ will separate the existing street (needed for storm water runoff) and new street – urban or rural design storm and gutter or not

 

Q Is there going to be potential in the future for public participation?

 

Copious amounts of public outreach will be done on this project. working on putting together public outreach – social media, website, media campaign, radio provide input or get information

 

Q Total Costs?

Initial construction 88-90 M

final 112M

 

Q Are they still looking at roundabout at Mary and Main? pathway to Lake Elmo connection from Dover project?

Can’t speak to what might occur off the project – will know more later after traffic analysis, currently not sure yet
Q What is Structure of the team working on the project?

DOWL is prime consultant has pulled together multiple partners –

Structural engineers, design, traffic analysis, geometry and landscape as well as public participation

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation #3 A bike/ped facility on the I-90 Bridge (Coulson toward FourDances)

Bridge replacement of Interstate 90 Yellowstone River Bridge

 

Presenter – Tim Erickson from HDR Engineering

• Project limits from 27th Interchange to the Lockwood Interchange
• Scope of Work – reconstruction widening I90 to address capacity – 2 through lanes and an auxiliary lane (begins and ends at interchanges)
• Bridges will be reconstructed to 4 lanes for long term – similar to Billings bypass – will be looking at a feasibility analysis for accommodating bikes/peds over the Yellowstone River which could include a separated structure that could be hung or a stand alone bridge across the river.
• Connections and linkages must be analyzed
• Current progress- survey and geotechnical, traffic analysis bridge alternatives
• Slated beyond 2020 for construction.