Below is your Transportation Planning Update for November 1, 2006.
1. November 2nd, Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Meeting (TTAC)
Old Business
a. Mullen and Reserve Status Report from the City, County, and MDT
Report and recommendations from the state to improve traffic flows at this intersection will be out in December 2006.
The City hopes to have construction connecting England Blvd (East West Connector) from Reserve West to the connecting developments completed by next spring. This connection will help alleviate traffic from Mullen Road.
b. Mountain Line Ridership and how to improve it
Steve Earle from Mountain Line reported:
Ridership increased by 7.8% 2005 to 2006
Ridership increased by 9% 2006 to 2007
This increase in ridership is believed to be due to the increase in federal funding (CMAQ) that was approved by the Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee in 2005. The funding supported service expansion and increased frequency during peak and mid-day service.
Ways for the City/County/Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee to help:
Find ways to support; service later into the night, more frequent service (15 minute head times), service to outlying areas, full service on Saturday and provide Sunday service.
Other options for improving Mountain Line service that are currently being looked at are:
- Expansion of Route 2 (Downtown, N Reserve, Franklin School) to reduce wait times and keep buses on schedule.
-Proposed new Route 11 to serve N. Reserve, Expressway, and the Airport
-Proposed new Route 14 to serve Mansion Heights
-New Commuter Service to Lolo - Lolo is outside of the Missoula Urban Transit District and can currently not be served by Mountain Line.
For more information on Mountain Line ridership or ways to improve service please contact Steve Earle at searle@mountainline.com or call 543-8386
c. University of Montana TTAC membership
Rosi Keller, Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance will represent UM at future TTAC meetings until a permanent replacement is named.
d. Update on revised EPA Particulate Matter(PM) standards -- Air Quality
Jan Scher from the Missoula County Health Department presented the new Particulate Matter standards. New standards for PM 2.5 have been established by the EPA, these standards are more stringent that the previous standards. Missoula is compliant with the PM 10 standards.
The new standards will likely result in Missoula's designation as a non-attainment area. The EPA will make a final designation in 2009.
For more information please see:
http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/ENVHealth/AirQ/aqindex.html
or call Jan Scher, Ben Schmidt, or Erik Englebert at 258-4755.
New Business
a. Discussion of Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Review
b. 2008 Long Range Transportation Plan Update Request For Proposal (RFP) discussion
A TTAC subcommittee was established to work on the RFP for the Long Range Transportation Plan Update. The RFP will go in front of TPCC for comments at the November 21st meeting. The goal is to have the RFP advertised at the end of November and have a contract awarded in January of 2007.
Announcements:
Randy Velin will be the non-voting member for the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee.
(If you have any questions regarding any of these topics please call Amber Blake at 258-4989)
2. Updates
a. West Broadway Charrette Kick-off Meeting Recap
The Kick-Off Meeting for the West Broadway Charrette, held on October 24, 2006, at the Missoula Children's Theater, was a smashing success! Mayor Engen spoke and Ellen Buchanan (of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency) briefly explained the five month process that will take place. MIG, the consulting firm out of Portland, OR contracted to help with the development plan, was also introduced. Brian Scott (MIG) spent the remainder of the hour and a half meeting asking participants for their comments, ideas, and perceptions of the West Broadway Corridor, which were recorded in a wall graphic (Photo of wall graphic attached). Approximately 100 of Missoula's citizens participated.
b. Russell Street EIS Public Meeting Recap
Hooray for another well attended meeting, the Russell Street EIS Public Meeting was held on October 26, 2006, at the Franklin School. About 100 concerned citizens attended the Meeting hosted by the City and HKM Engineering. During the open house portion of the meeting the Consultants and City Engineers were on hand to answer questions and take comments. The open house was followed by an in depth presentation of existing conditions, issues, and opportunities for the Russell Street Corridor and an extensive question and answer session. For more information on the project, meeting, and/or future meetings please see the project website at http://www.hkminc.com/Russell/index.html or contact Jennifer Peterson jpeterson@hkminc.com .
c. Helmet Sale at St. Patrick Hospital
Protect your head!
Ski Helmets: $16
Bike Helmets: $6
Equestrian Helmets: $20
Skateboard Helmets: $7
Next Sale Dates November 10, 2006 and December 8, 2006. For more information call Beth Reed at 329-5660.
3.Upcoming Meetings
a. November 16, West Broadway Charrette - Visioning Meeting , Inn on Broadway, 1609 W Broadway (Evening - exact time to be determined)
b. November 21, Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee (TPCC) Meeting, 1:30 PM, County Courthouse Annex Room 201, 200 W. Broadway
c. December 7, 2006 Transportation Technical Advisory Committee Meeting (TTAC) 10 AM, County Courthouse Annex Room 201, 200 W. Broadway
Thank you for taking the time to read this update if you have additional questions or comments please contact Amber Blake at 258-4989 or ablake@co.missoula.mt.us .
Have a great day!
-Amber |
