Comments for “2023 Billings Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan - Draft Projects”
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Disappointed that the bike way was located here. The crosswalk and signs are not extremely noticeable as you are driving uphill. Please move it to the Ave C intersection so it's easier to see. The elevation gain is also easier to achieve by taking Ave C. Cutting through the winding path in Pioneer is difficult because it's not direct and you have to dodge more people than you would than taking Ave C.
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Future transport thoughts. Once the BBWA is complete with raised bridges to cross under, the city would be well-positioned to offer summer e-boat canal tours and transport from the Zoo to the 'U'. Narrow passenger boats would fit and locals and visitors would love experiencing the history of the canal system that created the Midland Empire! Ultimate sense of place on the 19th Century Canal.
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BBWA trail would provide needed access to public park land (owned by all tax payers!) as well as a safe cross-town trail link to RMC.
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ReplyYes! safe, healthy commuting is all the rage — be inspired: https://eu.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/destinations/2013/07/23/photos-best-urban-bike-paths-across-the-usa/2576805/
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It would be great to feature Hefner's steps more with a clearer trail and a restored based to the steps. The steps are a great link to the city's history. /www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP9MiYtz3Vg
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ReplyIt's handy that the walk is beside MSUB's exercise path. The steps are definitely photogenic and could be shared more in tourist information.
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A mixed-use BBWA trail tunnel would be an elegant, efficient, safe connection to the Heights. Tomorrow's e-bike MSU-B students and downtown commuters.
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ReplyInteresting. A larger tunnel reinforced with concrete seems like it would improve canal flow safety and lessen the risk of water overtopping because of a blocked canal. Folks would also keep an eye on it during their daily commute so problems could be reported quickly.
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Long range, Billings will remain a hub but the airport will be increasingly accessed with drones from outlying areas. This property (currently on the market) would be useful to connect such travelers to transport via a tunnel with a people mover / mixed trail.
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ReplyIf used to connect travelers to the airport, what would be the traffic and parking impacts? Why not leave the traffic at the airport which is already equipped for this?
Like Liked 0 timesI'm picturing accommodating visitors arriving in electric drones from outlying areas. These changes will happen faster than we expect in a place with the distances we have. Such drones would need day parking while visitors from an outlying town had medical or financial appointments using a shared car or even public transport if it was straightforward enough. My Dad had a similar set up with Cessna he fly from the farm and trotted down the steps to ye old Polytechnic.
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With its multifamily housing, historic character and alley garage access, I always thought Yellowstone would be a likely candidate for a E-W 'garden street' connection. Limited traffic, safe bike/ped infrastructure. 'Longe range' :-) www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2020/sep/25/garden-streets-bike-superhighways-cities-future-coronavirus
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ReplyWith the new "Thrive" townhouse / apartment development, active transport and the Broadwater MET line will gain importance.
Like Liked 1 timeProviding this area with active and multi-modal transport options will be a boon to your tax base. https://americas.uli.org/active-transportation-real-estate-next-frontier/
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Trail underpass (or bridge lift) to help seniors get to coffee klatsch please.
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ReplyThe proposed solution (flashing light and refuge median) is less than ideal for Grand, 24th and 27th. These are crossings that by virtue of your own trail statistics (Lillis Park to Rose Park) are some of the most used in town - commuting, recreation, SRTS. Perfect for the seniors and school kids that rely on them (as well as MSUB folks on 27th) Why not get these vulnerable citizens completely out of the path of speeding, phone scrolling SUV drivers by creating tunnel connections similar to the Shiloh model. I have seen Black Dog staff rush to assist seniors pushing their walkers across 24th. I’ve also watch helmetless cyclists, swim towels over their shoulders being overlooked by turning vehicles. Why not remove this potential bone crushing conflict with a slightly raised car bridge creating a bike/ped underpass instead of offering a flashing light and traffic island to our kids and seniors?
Like Liked 4 timesAgree - just look at how unsafe it is for crossing using the Shiloh path at the Central and King Ave roundabouts that has flashing lights!
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Since we're talking about 'long range' planning, I'd like to mention the potential for multimodal Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the 5th Ave area. I can picture a future with light rail and mixed use trails enlivening 5th Ave. Perhaps MET would see the wisdom in moving their transport hub along either side of Broadway in this area where busses could meet light rail and trail users? Below grade parking tucked under the current parking lot beside a repurposed mixed-use Gazette building with podium apartments could create a much needed multiuse green space with events stretching across to the Library and Lincoln Center spaces. Ya know, long range :-) light rail takes time.
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ReplyMaybe BNSF would find it easier to use the 5th Ave tracks for the return of the twice daily Amtrak North Coast Hiawatha and a new depot could be in a refurbished building along the 5th Ave trail. Denny's? It would keep the main lines free for cargo trains and deliver travelers to a central area.
Like Liked 5 timesWith so much of this area primed for renewal right now, it would make sense to move the MET transfer hub to the drive through banking next to the library. It would make the hub a destination in itself - adult ed, YAM, senior center, Albertsons all right there. The move wouldn't have to be too complicated and the award winning hub beside the courthouse would be sure to find a new use.
Like Liked 3 timesRail Trail inspiration: www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/4/21/this-florida-town-rode-a-rail-trail-to-an-economic-revival
Like Liked 1 timeI'm surprised the library, YAM, Lincoln Center, the 'Y' and Metra aren't more proactive in pushing for a 5th Ave Corridor connection similar to Indy's Cultural Trail. https://indyculturaltrail.org/map/
Like Liked 1 timeThere are so many possibilities for such a central public space besides storing parked cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkDgxsyZsrY
Like Liked 1 timeTransit hub inspiration (Billings would be a smaller scale, obviously) but long distance buses and bike sharing as well as rail, light rail and city buses could converge on the 5th Ave Corridor! www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/2021/01/21/a2977-10-best-multi-model-transit-hubs-around-the-world/
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April 14 2023
I agree that with the speed motorists travel at (well over the posted limit here), they approach this crossing too quickly. I would *love* to have a continuous sidewalk placed here. This will train people to always slow down at this point in the road, regardless of whether or not pedestrians/bicyclists are crossing.
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