POLICY COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 Members Present: Councilman Dennis Pitman for Chairman Tom Hanel, Mayor, City of Billings; Commissioner Jim Reno, Board of County Commissioners; Dick Clark, Planning Board Ward V for Paul Gatzemeier, President, City/County Planning Board; Stefan Streeter, MDT District Office Staff Present: Scott Walker, Transportation Planner, Planning & Community Services Department; Lora Mattox, Transportation Planner; Tammy Deines, Planning Clerk; Vern Heisler, Deputy Public Works Director, City Public Works Department Others Present: Kevin McLaury, FHWA, Helena; Lloyd Rue, FHWA, Helena; Commissioner John Ostlund; Barb Skelton, Commissioner, MDT; Gary Neville, MDT; Evelyn Pyburn, Yellowstone County News; Citizen Oscar Heinrich; Dean Clark, Planning Board BOCC District #6; Citizen Tom Zurbuchen; Citizen Matthew McDonnell Corcoron; Jon Osier, Territorial Landworks; Mike Ferguson, Billings Gazette Conference Call Participants: Katie Potts; Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT: Kenn Winegar, Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT; Carol Strizich, Statewide and Urban Planning, MDT 1. Call to Order Councilman Pitman called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m., Board of County Commissioners Board Room, Yellowstone County Courthouse Councilman Pitman called the meeting to order in the Board of County Commissioners Board Room and welcomed everyone in attendance. He led the attendees with the Pledge to the flag. 2. Communication from the Audience Councilman Pitman asked for communication from the audience. There was no public communication. 3. Minutes of February 18, 2014 Councilman Pitman called for approval of the February 18, 2014 meeting minutes. Motion A motion was made by Commissioner Reno and seconded by Dick Clark to approve the February 18, 2014 minutes as submitted. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. 1

2 4. Old Business: A. Bench Connector, Phase 2, Stefan Streeter, MDT Background During the last PCC meeting, Mr. Streeter said he is bringing this item forward as it has been a couple of years since this has been discussed under this Committee s purview. He said about a year ago, they have received comment from a traffic study conducted by Sanderson Stewart with feasible solutions for the 6 th Avenue intersection; one of which was to do nothing as once the bypass is built the traffic modeling showed the traffic at the METRA will be what it is today. He related upcoming projects within the long range plan for this area and said it may be a decade before anything further can be done around the METRA. He asked if this project should be reconsidered or terminated due to languishing funding for over a decade and possibly re-initiate it at a later time. He asked the members of the Commission to discuss this with their respective governing bodies and return to the next Policy Coordinating Committee meeting with some feedback to make this decision. Presentation Stefan Streeter explained this project is under consideration for elimination as the traffic studies and modeling for the intersection of 1 st Avenue through Airport Road showed that it probably did not need to be built if the Billings Bypass project with the new connector to Lockwood is in place as well as the Inner Belt Loop project and the Bench Boulevard projects. Per request of Commissioner Reno, Stefan Streeter explained the proposed scope of Phase 2 of this project being proposals for an underpass connecting 6 th Avenue with Main Street with a tunnel or with an overpass. Both projects would be very expensive and funding was an issue. The most recent traffic studies show it is not a necessity to do this within the near future. Dick Clark asked if this decision is dependent on getting the Inner Belt Loop built all the way to Zimmerman Trail. Stefan Streeter replied he would have to refer to the traffic study. Commissioner Reno asked for further consideration with Dick Clark s question. Councilman Pitman and Dick Clark asked to postpone this discussion until a future meeting in order to receive direction from the Planning Board and City Council. This will be placed as an agenda item for the May 20, 2014 Policy Coordinating Committee meeting. 2

3 5. New Business: A. Update: Outer Belt Loop Environmental Impact Study, (EIS), Gary Neville, MDT Presentation Councilman Pitman asked Gary Neville to open this agenda item. He stated a public meeting was held on April 9, They anticipate the record of decision to be signed mid-june and hiring a consultant for project design. He projects a period of 3-5 years before the first project will be on the ground. Right-of-way acquisition will be focused on the first sections to be built. Currently funding is identified to build two lanes over the next 8-10 years. Councilman Pitman asked regarding impacts at the intersection of Highway 87 and Highway 312. Stefan Streeter explained there will be some functionality changes as with signalization, the intersection will become a right-in right-out intersection. B. MDT feasibility study for South 27 th Street Intersection/Railroad Crossing. Stefan Streeter, MDT Councilman Pitman asked Stefan Streeter to open this agenda item. Background During the last PCC meeting, Stefan Streeter said he made a commitment that MDT would look at 27 th Street and potentially the underpass. MDT s Planning Department has accepted that responsibility. They decided to take broader stance as the study will consider all of the railroad crossings throughout the state. Stefan Streeter stated this project has not started at this time. Carol Strizich, MDT Helena, stated the feasibility study should be under contract within a month. 3

4 C. MDT and State Highway project updates. Gary Neville, MDT Councilman Pitman asked Stefan Streeter to open this agenda item. Mr. Streeter deferred this item to Gary Neville, MDT. Projects: Bench Blvd-Lincoln Lane to Hilltop: there are punch lists to be including completion of the lighting and some clean up. Hilltop-Pemberton: just started right-of-way acquisition. Scheduled for June 2015 letting. The intersection project is scheduled for September No delays are expected at this time. This project will include installation of a signal. Reconstruction North of Laurel/Lipp Road & Buffalo Trail Road: Scheduled for February 27. This project includes curve re-alignment. Railroad Street: February 27. Guard rail project Billings runway signing project: state wide project on all off ramps District 5 Interstate fencing: replacing the woven wire and chain link fence through the urban area miles. Replace existing deteriorated chain link fence on I-90 with new chain link fence. Rockvale/Rockvale North: on track for letting in September of this year. The bridge/railroad overpass is being built and is projected for completion next year. 27 th Street-1 st Ave South to Airport Road: Projected letting late They are waiting to sign a contract with the consultants. Design early Part of the project will include upgrading the signals on 27 th Street. Commissioner Reno asked how to percolate the 21 st Street underpass project. Transportation Planner Scott Walker stated this has been a popular project during the Transportation Plan process. Railroad underpass in Laurel: rehabilitate the concrete under the underpass 6 th Street Underpass: looking for a consultant and considering solutions for the traffic and birds. Stefan Streeter said they are considering a bird net to remedy this issue. 4

5 Zimmerman Trail: closed due to rock fall. Recently MDT and the City have agreed to design the Zimmerman Trail project for the roadway enhancements and rock mitigation. The rock mitigation project has been expedited through the review process in order to move forward. The projected opening of Zimmerman Trail is in July. Commissioner Reno asked that Stephan Streeter forward the right-of-way use permit to the Commissioners and Yellowstone County Attorney Kevin Gillian. Councilman Pitman thanked MDT for their work on expediting this project as Zimmerman Trail is a vital street for the community. Stefan Streeter commented this project shows the partnership that can take place when needed and said it is a reflection of the relationships between the three governing entities. 4h Ave N N 13th St to Main St: 0.5 miles pavement preservation project with ADA work 1 st Ave S/Minnesota Ave/13th St 27th St to 4th Ave N: 1.5 miles pavement preservation project with ADA work Signal at the intersection 13 th Street West and Parkhill Drive Lighting project Secondary 532 (located at King Avenue past 72 nd Street West) Statewide horizontal curve project: curve warning signs Milling on Laurel Road to be completed April 24, Intersection improvements Airport Road and Main Street Pavement preservation Project: (2017) surfacing of Main Street from 1 st Avenue to the intersection of Bench Boulevard and Main Street. Billings Runway Signs-pre-construction meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2014 Mill and overlay 24 th Street to King Avenue F. Other Business: The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, A. Future Agenda Item for May 20, 2014: 1. Bench Boulevard project 2. 21st Street Underpass project Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. APPROVED by a motion on May 20,