Inclusive Transporation Planning Focus Groups

Yesterday I had the opportunity to play a supporting role in two focus groups assessing the needs of senior citizens and those with mobility limitations and disabilities in regards to transportation planning. These focus groups were a part of the current study underway by Lewis and Clark County to maximize inclusively in transportation planning. The two focus groups were held at the East Helena Senior Center and the Montana Independent Living Project (MILP) in Helena. The consultants are dedicated to encapsulating the needs and providing solutions to our rapidly shifting population and transportation demands. Their findings will be presented at a community roundtable discussion held on November 13th, from 2:15-4:15, at St. Peter's Hospital Education Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena.


Montana Independent Living Project (MILP) Focus Group

New DAV Fleet Donated to Serve the VA

Disabled American Veterans donated 9 new vehicles to the VA Montana Healthcare System to transport veterans throughout Montana. With Helena being home to one of the two large VA clinics in the state, many of the vehicles will be seen passing through town on the way to Fort Harrison. For more information check out the story in the Independent Record by clicking the link below.
http://helenair.com/news/local/vans-donated-to-va-montana-healthcare-system/article_07109e7e-41f0-11e3-9c1f-0019bb2963f4.html

Helena Designated Bronze-level IMBA Ride Center Destination

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has award Helena with the prestigious Bronze Ride Center designation. This designation recognizes model mountain bike facilities internationally, with only 17 communities recognized in total.

This was a significant year in recognition of Helena's excellent bike culture, being also recognized as a League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community Bronze designation.

For more information about the IMBA designation click the link below

http://www.imba.com/ride-centers/current/helena

Beartooth NBC Story on the Future of HATS

The story is titled "Bus Riders Hope For More Routes Soon" and features an account of a dedicated HATS rider who would like to see more fixed routes to improve their quality of life. Check out the story and footage by clicking the link below:

http://www.beartoothnbc.com/news/helena/41331-bus-riders-hope-for-more-routes-soon.html

Helena City Commission Accepts 5 Year Transit Development Plan

     The 5 Year Helena Transit Development Plan was officially accepted at the City Commission meeting Monday evening. Accepting the plan is not an obligation for the City to implement it’s recommendations, though it will be the guiding document for the future of HATS.

      Public Comment included the need for increased quality bus service in our community. Specifically, for those who are on “lock down” when the weekend curb-to-curb service doesn’t run and are unable to visit friends, attend appointments, and participate in community events.  The limited geographic service area was also addressed. Such as those living without bus service in the North Valley, and those who wish to access the VA at Fort Harrison for services, employment and volunteering. The “Helena Transit 4 All” project underway is exploring solutions to creating a more inclusive transit system to address these concerns.     

      The Commission recognized the valuable Public Comments, and provided additional critiques of how to make 2014 “the Year of the Bus!” A major priority was ensuring that bus service continues to serve citizens who need it most to enjoy a higher quality of life. Potentially, by limiting curb-to-curb service to those who meet national ADA criteria, and then using the dollars saved toward expanding fixed routes.  The Commission was pleased with the public process and hard work of the consultant and city staff in crafting the final document.

Check out the story about the plan on KXLH, including an interview with HATS Director Steve Larson

http://www.kxlh.com/news/helena-commission-accepts-transit-plan-ready-for-work/

The final draft of the HATS Transit Development Plan may be reviewed by clicking the link below.

http://www.helenamt.gov/public-works/hats/transit-development-plan.html

Broadway Tunnel Ribbon Cutting November 7th

The Helena City Commission Supports Bicycle Friendly Community Designation at Last Night's Meeting

When Commissioner Ellison gave his report of items going on the city, he mentioned that Helena was recognized with two exceptional designations. The first designation was Helena is ranked in the top 100 best places to live in America by Livability.com. Helena is also designated as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Commissioner Ellison continued that these designations indicate what the citizens of Helena already know, that we have any exceptionally high quality of life here. 

I was able to say a few words before the Commission as one of the contributors of the Bicycle Friendly Community application. My statement included:

Mayor, Commissioners, it has been an honor serving as a Volunteer In Service to America in Helena. I’m proud to have played a role in working on this application with City and County staff, NMTAC, and other proponents of cycling. Helena as a Bicycle Friendly Community is a well-deserved designation demonstrated by investments in: bicycle facilities, educational and enforcement campaigns, and community events. I want to thank the City for this opportunity and all the contributors of the application. It has been a highlight of my service. Congratulations Helena!

To learn more about the Bicycle Friendly Community designation click the link below.  

http://www.bikeleague.org/content/communities

Helena Awarded Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Designation

Helena Awarded Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Designation

Helena will soon receive Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community status from The League of American Bicyclists. All of the advancements in cycling made by the City of Helena, Lewis & Clark County, Montana Department of Transportation, support of education efforts, community organizations, and other proponents resulted in the award.  In my role as an AmeriCorps VISTA, I assisted in the coordination of the application with Sarah Sadowski, Chair of NMTAC, City and County Staff, Elected Officials and other leading advocates. Other Montana Bicycle Friendly Communities include Bozeman (silver), Billings (bronze), and Missoula (gold). For more information about the Bicycle Friendly Community designation click the link below. With the installation of a city wide trails network including Centennial Trail, new street separated crossings and paths-such as the Broadway tunnel, the Transportation Update, and other efforts, high designation should be in the works!

Transportation Coordination Committee Selects Consultant for the Helena Transportation Plan

Robert Peccia & Associates of Helena, and Alta Planning of Bozeman were selected as the consultant team for the Helena Transportation Plan. The plan is a comprehensive blueprint for all of Helena's future multi-modal construction and maintenance projects . Robert Peccia and Associates prepared the last plan in 2004, and Alta specializes in active transportation. This update and the future public process was features by Beartooth NBC!

Inclusive Transportation Planning Project 
The Current Transportation Solutions, the consultant team that produced the HATS Transit Development Plan, has undertaken the Inclusive Transportation Planning Project. This project will assess the transit needs of residents living Lewis and Clark County. Some stakeholders for the project include, aging populations, the disabled community, and veterans. The insights gained from the study will inform decision makers how to improve any unmet transit needs to maximize inclusivity. For more information about the project click the link below. I will be assisting with this process, especially in regards to Veterans outreach!

More about this national project:
http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=3265

Final Touches on Broadway Tunnel

The Broadway Tunnel will possibly open as soon as next week.  Nonmotorized priority road, separated from the highway will connect hundreds of residents, employees, and guests to the Hospital medical area, large employment center of MDT, and a for recreational purposes.

Lewis and Clark County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Links Public Transit and Active Transportation to Public Health

Lewis and Clark County has released a comprehensive plan known as the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to systematically improve public health. This plan identifies a range of public health concerns such as mental health, chronic disease, and substance abuse  and offers synergistic solutions for stakeholders. Active transportation, public transportation, and the built environment or referenced throughout the report as leverage points to improve the health of our community.  Please click the link below to access the report.

http://www.lccountymt.gov/health/health-department/health-improvement-chip.html

City of Helena Engineer Ryan Leland Webinar "Transportation Engineering and Public Involvement"

Ever wonder how a Transportation Engineer thinks while designing our roads, sidewalks, bike lanes? Ryan Leland, Engineer of the City of Helena discusses the full spectrem of nonmotorized facilities and how citizens may become involved in shaping active communities. Check out this webinar below.

http://healthinfo.montana.edu/Webinars/2013-10-07%2011.59%20Transportation%20Engineering%20and%20Public%20Involvement.wmv

To view additional Building Active Communities webinars click the link below

http://healthinfo.montana.edu/RHI%20Webinars.html

Bike Walk Helena Releases 4 New PSAs

Bike Walk Helena released their second series of PSAs. They include:

1. "Bike 2 Be Seen"- visibility clothing, lights, and reflectors

2. "Bicycling through intersections"- , coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, ride with flow of traffic, use hand signals to indicate a turn

3. "Pedestrians: know where to stop"  directed more towards motorists so they don't encroach upon bike lanes or cross walks

4. "Pedestrians Road Crossing" - safe crossing habits for all pedestrians 

Click the link to view the PSAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nisutxgRrD0&list=PLuu3AUAe9zgL_9WQeTHsfxY7LX1HU-fN1

Revised HATS Transit Development Plan to be Discussed at Today's Admin Meeting

 The revised and potential final draft of the HATS Transit Development Plan will appear before the Helena City Commission during today's Administration Meeting. The consultant took the Commission's previous comments and well as Official Public Comments strongly into consideration for the improved current version.

The Administration Meeting will be held today, at 4pm, in room 326 of the City County Building (316 N. Park).

The revised HATS Transit Development Plan  is now available on the City of Helena webpage in the Public Works Department section. The document may be accessed by following the link below.
http://www.helenamt.gov/public-works/hats/transit-development-plan.html