Montana transportation planning newsline

10 Pages·1994·0.86 MB·English

by  Montana. Transportation Planning Division

5
MontanaSlateLibrary
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
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PuhlisheJ Quarterly hy ike Montana Department of Transportation APR 1 1 W^^^^^^y ^99^
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA. MONTANA 59620
National Highway System Approved
After fouryears ofwork by many, the 75% ofoutbound manufactured fi-eight.
National Highway System (NHS) leg- These highways will ultimately be
islation was enacted November28, 1995. improved to the best standards: wider
Extra! Extra! shoulders, fewer curves, enhanced safety
Beginning NHS Bill Summary features and passing lanes where needed.
with this '^ The bill designates the National
issue of Highway System, provides important This final system added more than 800
the Newsline there regulatory reliefand includes beneficial miles to the original USDOT proposal and
will be a special in- Montana-specific provisions. will bring NHS service to all regions of
detail focus on the state, linking us to the nation's
varioustransportation economic fiiture. The national importance
programs within NHS
ofthe should
MDT. Anothereffort
also prove to be an
to keep our readers
effective argument for
informed!
the continuation ofa
strong federal role in
ourrural highways.
NHS
Approved
Page1-2 This system was hard
wonthrough the
IntercityPublic
Transportation efforts ofMontana's
Page2
Congressional
STIPProgress
Page3 Delegation, the
Montana
CTEPProgress
Pages Transportation
MDT
ProaramFocus: Commission,
Secondary Director Marvin Dye,
Roads
Page4 and, most importantly,
SaveOur support ofMontana's communities
SecondPaargieess The System transportation industry.
The 160,000 mileNHS is expected to be
Off-System
Bridge the focus ofFederal investments in Regulatory Relief
Page6
surface transportation well into the next Foryears Congress imposed requirements
ForestHighway century. In Montana, theNHS consists of on the Federal Highway Program through
Page?
over 3,850 miles ofour most important financial sanctions and penalties. The
GrReeactiFeavlelss highways including the Interstate. It NHS bill is the first evidence of
NationalPAawgaersd connects all our cities of5,000 ormore Congressional willingness to reverse this
and serves 70% ofall motorvehicle trend.
SPECIALINSERT traffic, including 94% ofinbound and (ContinuedonPage2)
MontanaSpeedLimits
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page1
MDT
Planning Division Updates
Montana Provisions
(NHSContinuedfrom Pagel)
Following are a few examples of OThe plannedproject to widen Intercity Public
mandates that have been addressed Missoula'a Orange Street Bridge is Transportation Needs
inthis legislation. Keep in mind now eligible foradditional
Addressed
that the funding saved on these
funding.
requirements can now go to
tbruainlsdpionrgtaatbieotntesrysatnedm:safer ©laDnugueagteo cMhDanTgecsaninneoliwgiabpipliltyyfor MDT recently completed a study
ofintercity and rural passenger
• The requirementthat states use grant money to help accelerate
transportation needs in Montana.
recycled (crumb) rubber in a construction projects on US 93
The study concluded the
large percentage ofasphalt between Somers and
Department should focus available
paving
Whitefish.
projects was ©Two funding in the following four areas
NHS high priority
eliminated. "Allin all, the to support and improve this
This would was worth the wait" corridors were important service:
have cost defined in Montana: • Marketing and promotion to
CANAMEXonI-15,
mdoillllairosnsanodf "SandyStraehl-Ptanning" and the CAMINO increase public awareness of
available services
was also REAL which
• Expanding existing non-profit
problematic because of connects 1-90 in Billings to 1-15 in
Montana's extreme winter transit coverage to fill service
Great Falls viaLavina and
gaps.
climate.
Harlowton. This definitionmay
• The mandate requiring • Reduced intercity bus fares for
position these corridors for future
development ofsix elderly and disadvantaged
planning grants or fimding
management systems was passengers.
opportunities.
eliminated. - Montana and other • Capital improvements to bus,
states can nowtailor the systems rail, and airportfacilities served
Lastly, and most importantly,
to meet their needs. NHS by intercity bus.
passage ofthe bill puts
• The 20-Year old national
Montana's highway program back
maximum speed limit penalty Please call Janis Winston at
was eliminated. (See insert for in business. Since Congress [phone] ifyou have any
missed the September 30, 1995
further details) questions about this program.4-
deadline for designation; the
• The requirement that states have
Federal Highway Administration
mandatory motorcycle
helmet laws was dropped. has been withholding 1996
A National Highway and Interstate Ourtotion's Highways
• prohibition against the Federal
Maintenance apportionments of
government requiring states to SelectedFactsandFigures
about $69 million. While this
install metric signs was added to
caused several projects to be This Federal Highway
statute. Any actions to convertto FHWA
delayed, it's expected that Administration
metric before September 30,
will distribute the funds quickly publication is available
2000 are optional. uponrequest and
and that the delayed projects will
provides acondensed
be let in January.4-
overview offacts and
figures about our
nations highways.
THETRANSPORTATIONPLANNINGNEWSLINEispublishedquarterlybytheMontanaDepartment
ofTransportation,TransportationPlanningDivision. Thepreparationofthisnewsletterisfinanced
throughtheFederalTransitAdministration'sSection26(a)(2)GrantandtheFederalHighway IfInterested
Administration'sStatewidePlanningandResearchProgram. ArticlesappearingintheTransportation Call 1-800-714-7296
PlanningNewsletterarecontributedbythestaffoftheMDTTransportationPlanningDivision.
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page2
1
MDT
Planning Division Updates
1996 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
Inthe Autumn 1995 issue of areas, building anew interchange work on some existing projects. In
Newsline, the Project Analysis in Billings, revising the Rumble late August the Montana
Section described the process of Strip Policy, and new paving Transportation Commission
FHWA
requesting public comment on the projectsjustto name a few. The approved the 1996 STIP.
1996 STIP viapress releases, maps section also heard comments on & FTAjointly approvedthe 1996
and direct mailings. The section rail, transit, bicycle and aeronautic STIP onNovember 1, 1995.
received a wide variety of issues.
comments on highway issues Anyone interested in a final copy
ranging from accelerating projects Some comments resulted in new ofthe 1996 STIP should contact
on US 93, improved striping, projects being nominated for the Project Analysis Section at
delineators, and lighting on consideration and other comments [phone] or
MDT
Homestake Pass, additional rest indicated should accelerate 1-800-714-7296.4-
CTEP Progress Report Transportation Planning
Welcomes Our New
Additions in the Last
Over200 Coromunity Transportation EnhancementProgram Quarter
(CTEP) projects havebeen selected by local communities and HighwayStatistics
are underdevelopment. The following is a summary of Darren Batchelor
TrafficData Collection
projects thatare completed or substantially completed EdEreth
andprojects that are imderconstruction: Tom Winfield
Ron Wuertley
SpecialStudies
Substantially Completed / Completed Projects JohnGardner
CityHall Sidewalks - Stanford Sidewalks - ParkCity SallyYamall
Landscaping- White SulphurSprings CharlieRussell Trail Brochure Vicky McLane
CTEP
Bike/Pedestrian Path - Stevensville AirportLandscaping- Butte
Gary Rafter
City Sidewalks- Twin Bridges TurnerPark- Turner MyronTucker
Sidewalk, Curbs andGutter- Richey CityParkWalkingPath- Baker ProjectAnalysis
GranitePeakPark- Columbus Sidewalks - Coliunbus JeffSillick
MuUanRoadWalkway- Frenchtown
Bike/Pedestrian Walkway- WolfPoint Transportation Planning
CascadeCountyCourthouse - GreatFalls Division Telephone
Numbers
Projects Under Construction Onlythemostfrequentlyrequested
CMRMuseum - GreatFalls Sidewalks- Ronan & Billings numbersarelistedhere. Foranareaor
personnotlisted,callthetoll-free
Archwayand Trees - Lewistown FortPeckTheater- FortPeck 1-800-714-7296(inMontanaonly),or
RiversEdge Trail - GreatFalls Paris Gibson Square - GreatFalls [phone].
RacetrackLandscaping- Butte
Administrator(PatriciaSandon) 444-3143
MilwaukeeRd. Right-of-WayPreservation - Missoula CTEP(MikeDavis) 444-4383
Mapping(JoeO'Neil) 444-6119
Projects(JeffEbert) 444-7639
There are currently 60projects underdesign RailPlanning(JanVogel) 444-4262
SecondaryRoads(GaryLarson) 444-6110
Statistics(RickRogne) 444-611
Formore information onthese orotherCTEP projects, call TrafficSafety(AlbertGoke) 444-7301
MikeDavis at [phone] orEdHedlundat [phone] TTrraafnfsiictS(tJaatniisstiWcisn(sDteonnn)isHull) 444444-^6211220
UrbanPlanning(RossTervo) 444-3445
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TransportationPlanningNewsline Page3
special
Program
Secondary Road Program
FOCU^
County commissioners establish priorities based on
What Are Secondary Roads?
available fiinds. All priorities are documentedvia a
The "Secondary Highway System" includes those completed SR-1 form which details route, milepost,
highways that have been functionally classified by the scope ofwork, and county concurrence.
department as eitherminor arterial ormajor collector
and have been selected by the Montana Transportation What Is The Review & Approval
Commission, in co-operation with the Board ofCounty Process?
Commissioners, to be placed on the Secondary
Highway System. Each project is reviewed by MDT's District Engineer
as well as the Secondary Roads Engineer. All projects
Who The Program Managed By? are then included in the "Statewide Transportation
Is
Improvement Program" and subjected to public
Secondary Roads Engineer - Gary Larson (444-6110) review. As custodian ofMontanatransportation
system, the Montana Transportation Commission must
Where Does The Money Come From?
ultimately approve all proposed improvements to the
Federal Aid is divided into two categories: the National Secondary Highway System. Final approval occurs in
Highway System (NHS) and the Surface July orAugust ofeach year.
Transportation Program (STP). Funding forthe
Secondary Road Program is suballocated from STP What Is The Programming Process?
funds. Funding is 86.58% federal with a 13.42% state Following an internal review MDT's Fiscal
match. 1995 Federal Fiscal Year funding was Programming Section submits aprogram request it to (
approximately $15 million statewide. the Federal Highway Administration. FHWA reviews
andthen commits federal participation.
How Is The Money Distributed?
According to Montana law, funds are apportioned to Who Does Project Design,
the 56 counties based on the following 4 factors: (Each Development and Construction?
factor is aratio ofthat county to the total) MDT
• allows each county the option ofaconsultant
County land area MDT MDT
design or design. encourages counties to
•• Rural population
f retain consultants for suchprojects. Afterthe decision
Rural road mileage
fThe value ofall rural lands is made preliminary engineering activities begin and
ultimately the project is constructed.
What Highways Are Eligibility?
Highways must be classified as "Secondary Highway"
(See "What are Secondary Roads?")
What Improvements Are Eligible? Secondary
Any improvement to the roadway which improves the 518 between
structure ofthe road is eligible for Secondary fimding. Montana City
Maintenance activity is not eligible. Eligible
and
improvements include reconstruction, overlays, bridge
rehabilitation or reconstruction, pipe replacement, EastHelena
improved railroad crossing surfaces and epoxy
striping.
Who Sets The Project Priorities?
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page4
MONTANA'S SPEED LIMIT LAWS
|
Effective December 8 1995
Daytime Nighttime Change Due to
Speed Limit Speed Limit NHS Act
TRUCKS OVER 8000
lbs.
65MPH 65MPH NO CHANGE
Interstate
All other Roads 60MPH 55MPH
4
ALL OTHER VEHICLES
(See Exceptions)
BASIC RULE* 65MPH
Interstate
DAYTIME ONLY '
All other roads BASIC RULE* 55MPH
EXCEPTIONS:
(All Roads Included)
Triple Truck Comb. 55MPH 55MPH NO CHANGE
House Trailers 50MPH 50MPH NO CHANGE
Construction Zones
35MPH 35MPH NO CHANGE
(All Vehicles Apply)
AS POSTED AS POSTED
or or
,
SPECIAL SPEED
ZONES URBAN NO CHANGE
and AS POSTED AS POSTED
AREA LIMITS
MCA
* Speed enforcement for passenger vehicles and trucks under 8000 lbs. are governed by
61-8-303(1) or the "Basic Rule". This law states that vehicles shall be driven in a reasonable and
prudent manner depending on the conditions at the time and place of operation. Conditions
considered in enforcement include: traffic pattern, vehicle condition, and roadway and weather
conditions.
Montana Department ofTransportation
December 12, 1995

r>
/"^!^^ special
''?^^'"
^Saye Our kcondarics Program
What Save Our Secondaries?
Is shoulderwidening, digouts, or safety enhancements,
"Save Our Secondaries" is aprogram that preserves are the responsibility ofthe county and must be
Montana's Secondary Highway System by extending completedpriorto construction ofan SOS project. In
MDT
the life ofexisting paved routes withthin lift overlays 1998 will allocate approximately $1 million in
and/or seal and covers. SOS ftmding to the Off-System Bridge Program.
Who Is The Program Managed By? How Are The Priorities Set?
Secondary Roads Engineer - Gary Larson(444-61 10) Priorities identified by county commissioners in the
1994Needs Study are used to develop the SOS project
Where Does The Money Come From? list. Project lists in each MDT District are further
The program is 100% fimded by the State Highway prioritized by Districtpersormel and the Secondary
Trust Fund (State Gas Tax) in the amount of$15 Roads Engineer. District priorities considerneeds of
million peryear. all counties in that district, funding levels, andthe fair
division ofprojects among all counties based on
How Is the Money Distributed? funding levels.
Funding is disbursed to Montana's five financial
districts. The level offunding available to each district What Is The Approval Process?
is dependent on the previous years overor under Any improvements utilizing SOS funds must be
expenditure offunds. Funds are then distributedto approved by the Montana Transportation Commission.
>
counties based on needs and district priorities. As part ofthat approval process, all SOS projects are
included inthe "Statewide Transportation
What Are Eligibility Requirements? Improvement Program" (STIP) and subjected to
SOS funds are usedto extend the life ofexisting paved public review. Final Commission approval ofSOS
routes which were on the Secondary Highway System projects occurs in March or April afterthe previous
as ofJanuary 1, 1991. Funds are eligible forpavement year's projects have been let to contract.
preservation which includes thin lift overlays and/or
seal and covers. Any preparatory work onthe roadway What Is The Programming Process?
MDT
and/or shoulder; such as leveling, crack sealing. After Transportation Commission approval, staff
develops programming documents. These documents
initiate surveying and design activities.
Who Does Project Design,
Development and Construction?
All SOS projects are designed by MDT. Because these
projects are simple overlays and seals and covers,
designs are relatively straight forward and quick
compared to most construction projects.
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page5
^
special
Program
Off-iyitem Bridge Program
What Is The Off-System Bridge What Are Eligibility Requirements?
Program? Off-System bridge funding is dedicated to bridges not
The "Highway Bridge Replacement orRehabilitation on Interstate, NHS, Primary, Secondary, orUrban
Program" (HBRRP) enables states to replace or routes.
rehabilitate bridges that are significantly important and
unsafe because ofstructural deficiencies, physical How Are The Priorities Set?
A
deterioration, or functional obsolescence. field inventory ofthe condition ofthe state's bridges
A
is carried out on atwo-year cycle. structure
Who Is The Program Managed By? inventory and appraisal is completed and used to
MDT's Secondary Roads Engineer and Bridge Bureau. calculate a sufficiency rating for each bridge. Counties
prioritize projects based onthe sufficiency ratings then
the Secondary Roads Engineer andthe Bridge
Bureau prioritize based on structural condition and
funding.
What The Approval Process?
Is
Bridges projects must appear inthe STIP which is
subjected to public reviewbefore receiving
Montana Transportation Commission approval. M
What The Programming
Is
Process?
Following an internal review, MDT's Fiscal
Programming Section submits aprogram requestto
I
FHWA
the Federal Highway Administration.
ultimately must approve federal participation.
Who Does Project Design,
~
Development and Construction?
Madison RiverSoutli ofEnnis
The majority ofall bridge projects are designed by
Where Does The Money Come From? MDT's Bridge Bureau. Depending on MDT work load
Funding is 80% federal with a 20% state match. 65% and availability ofstaff, some projects go to
ofthe total authorization is dedicated to "On-System consultants.
Bridges". A minimum of15% must be dedicated to
"Off-System Bridges" with 20% optional. Montana
has opted forthe full 35% for "Off-System Bridges".
How Is the Money Distributed?
The program allocates funds to Montana's five
financial districts based on need. The funds are then
distributed to counties based on apriority system.
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page6
special
Program
Highway Program
Forest
F0C0<
What Is A Forest Highway? redesignation which designated routes eligible for
A Forest Highway is a road that is either within or Forest Highway funding was in March of 1995.
adjacent to a national forest, and that serves the
national forest. It must also be under thejurisdiction Who Is The Program Administered
ofand maintained by apublic authority, and must be By?
opentopublic travel. The Western Federal Land Highway Division
(WFLHD) ofthe Federal Highway Administration
What Is The Forest Highway administers the program. The nomination and
Program? selection ofprojects is the responsibility of: WFLHD-
The "Forest Highway Program" (PFH) which resides FHWA, United States Forest Service (USPS), and
within the Federal Lands Highway (FLHP) authorizes Montana Department ofTransportation.
funds to roads classified as Forest Highways.
What Are Eligibility Requirements?
Who Is The Program Managed By? Any route which has satisfied the criteria for forest
County and State Representatives, the Administratorof highway designation and is on the Forest Highway
MDT's Transportation Planning Division, the System is eligible for improvement withinthe limits of
Secondary Roads and Project Analysis Engineers, and annual program funding.
^HWA.
How Are The
Where Does Priorities Set?
The Money Agency representatives
Come From? meet every March to
discuss, plan and
This program is 100%
update the long-range
Federally funded. Of
program. As funding
the available funding
becomes available,
forPublic Lands
project developmentis
Highways, two-thirds
initiated. Project
is dedicated to the
planning and
Forest Highway
development is
Program with the
projected in
remaining one-third of
the PLH funds falling approximately five-year
increments. All Forest
under Discretionary
Highway projects on
Funds.
state routes must have
How Are Forest Thompson RiverForestHighway56 Transportation
Commission approval.
Highways
Designated? What The Programming and
Is
Designation to the system is proposedby the State and Design Process?
Forest Service (counties propose routes throughthe All funding, program documentation, and design
ktate). Final designation ofa Forest Highway Route functions are performed by the Western Federal Land
FHWA
is performed by the in consultation with the Highway Division ofFHWA.
Forest Service and the State. The last inventory and
TransportationPlanningNewsline Page7
Congratulations Great Falls!
The City ofGreat Falls has been selected as the recipient ofthe
1996 National Planning Award for Planning Implementation 'kmmimmf^m^mm
in a Small Jurisdiction by the American Planning Association
for the River's Edge Trail Project. This is aprestigious award
as there are only eight winners from afield of178 nominees nationwide
The River's Edge Trail Project has successfully converted several miles of
deteriorated riverfront into a significant community transportation and
recreation asset in only six years.
Many factors have contributed to the success ofthis project including:
• Avid, "We won't take 'no' for an answer." public support.
• Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funding.
• Government and corporate cooperation and active participation.
Recognizing how difficult it is to bring together so many people to
accomplish such a big task we'd like to congratulate everyone involved for
ajob well done!
M,^-^->-:-'i
River's Edge Trail
Great Falls
Montana Department ofTransportation
Bulk Rate
Transportation Planning Division
2701 Prospect Avenue
U.S. Postage
P.O. Box 201001
PAID
Helena, Montana 59620-1001 MT
Helena,
[phone] PermitNo. 141
TDD [phone] or 1-800-335-7592
50
1
HAROLD CHAMBERS
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E SIXTH AVENUE
PO BOX 201800
HELENA MT 59620-1800
4250 copies ofthis public document were published at an estimated
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