Billings, Montana – Billings Public Works is set to make significant strides in improving street safety and promoting active transportation, thanks to a substantial grant from the United States Department of Transportation.
The department has received a $3.56 million Safe Streets for All grant, announced in a press release on December 20, 2023. This funding is dedicated to enhancing the safety of streets, particularly in school zones, and encouraging active transportation methods like walking and biking across the city. The grant outlines 17 different Safe Route to School projects, detailing their selection, anticipated completion, and importance to the Billings community.
“The Billings community can expect safer streets and more opportunities to be active for all users, especially around school zones,” according to the press release. This initiative is a step forward in ensuring that residents, especially students, have a safe and conducive environment for active commuting.
The grant will finance a variety of projects aimed at boosting safety and accessibility. Six bicycle facilities are planned to make biking more convenient for students from several schools, including Highland, Washington, Lewis-Clark, and others. These facilities will provide new bikeways and bike lanes, enhancing the biking experience in these neighborhoods.
Additionally, eight high-visibility crosswalks will be added near schools like Burlington, Highland, and McKinley, among others, to ensure safer pedestrian crossings. There’s also a project focused on reducing commuting hassles and promoting adventure with the creation of walkways, curb extensions, and ADA ramps. This includes sidewalk connections, extended curbs, and a shared-use path connection for students of Bench, Boulder, and Burlington schools.
Pedestrian lights will be installed for Ponderosa students who use the shared-use path from Ponderosa to Kings Green Drive. Furthermore, traffic-calming elements such as new signal timings and signage will be introduced near schools like Highland and Washington, aiming to alleviate stress for students in those areas.
Elyse Monat, Active Transportation Planner with the City/County Planning Division, emphasized the importance of active transportation for the community and students. She stated, “Active transportation is so important to our community and students! Walking, biking, and rolling to school helps students be independent, arrive at school ready to learn, and can help reduce the burden of transportation costs on families.” She also highlighted the necessity of making routes accessible for students who rely on active transportation.
In addition to infrastructural improvements, the grant allocates $75,000 to the Safe Routes to School educational campaign. This campaign aims to impart crucial lessons like yielding to pedestrians and inspire students to actively commute to school.
This comprehensive approach by Billings Public Works, supported by the substantial grant, represents a significant investment in the community’s safety and well-being, particularly for its younger residents.
