Press Release for Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan

April 24, 2014

Informational meeting to discuss the Greater Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – City of Helena & Lewis and Clark County

Helena - The City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) have initiated a community transportation planning process to update their existing Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).  The Plan provides a blueprint for guiding transportation infrastructure investments based on identified needs.  The first of three informational meetings will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 in Helena at the City-County Building, Commission Chambers, 316 North Park Avenue.  The meeting will begin with a presentation at 6:00 p.m., followed by work station break-outs. A question and answer period will be provided at the end of the meeting. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and identify the issues and visioning that should be addressed as part of the Plan. This is an important opportunity to learn about the LRTP Update and to express your thoughts on existing and future transportation conditions in the Greater Helena area.

The LRTP is intended to facilitate community goals and improve the transportation infrastructure and services within the Greater Helena area to meet the needs of existing and future demands.  The Plan will address all modes of transportation in a balanced attempt to meet current and future needs while complying with State and Federal requirements. 

Participation is a very important part of the process, and citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and participate.  Opinion, comments and concerns may be submitted in writing at the meeting, by mail to Jeff Key, Project Manager, Robert Peccia and Associates, PO Box 5653, Helena, MT. 59604, or by email to jeff.key@rpa-hln.com

                                                                                                 

Please indicate comments are for the Greater Helena Area LRTP.  RPA and the project partners will collect and consider all comments to better understand the potential transportation system issues and concerns within the Greater Helena area.

Future announcements will be made prior to all events through the local media and the LRTP mailing list.  Interested parties are encouraged to join the study mailing list by submitting their name and contact information to Jeff Key at jeff.key@rpa-hln.com

A website has been developed and can be accessed at:

                                http://www.helenaarealrtp.com/

or, visit the project’s Facebook page at:

                               

                                https://www.facebook.com/HelenaAreaLRTP

The City of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, MDT and RPA attempt to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in this meeting.  Alternative accessible formats of information presented at the meeting can be provided upon request.   Accommodation requests are encouraged at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.  For further information, call (406) 447-5000 or (406) 447-8099.

Recycle Your Cycle Community Bike Swap

Questions? Email Allison Batch at savepolicy@gmail.com.

Bike Walk Montana Summit

The Bike Walk Montana Summit took place in Billings on March 27th-29th. Participants from all over the state gathered to discuss ways to increase biking and walking in their communities, and initiatives already happening throughout Montana.

The Summit kicked off with a workshop on Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts, where we broke into groups divided by city and discussed inexpensive, relatively easy changes we could make in our area to encourage biking. The following day was a series of break-out sessions with presentations by MDT, Montana State Parks, engineers, professors, local cycling organizations, and many others. The day ended with a biking or walking (your choice) tour of the fantastic non-motorized Rim Rock Trail in Billings, with a friendly gathering at McKenzie River Pizza Co. to finish it off. Saturday continued with the break-out sessions, ending in a great presentation on two current local programs promoting community health with active transportation options.

Overall, it was very inspiring to see everyone who's working on non-motorized initiatives in Montana together in one room, and a great visual for how lifestyles are shifting. Learn more about Bike Walk Montana at http://www.bikewalkmontana.org/.

Find more pictures from the Summit on SAVE's Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/TheSAVEFoundationHelenaMT

Bicycles mean business!

NPR recently ran a story on cities in Texas, where cars have traditionally ruled, becoming more bicycle friendly. Why? City leaders there have found that incorporating bicycle infrastructure on their roads is good for increasing business. This seems to be a growing concept, with good reason and data behind it. Read "The Economic Case for Bicycle Friendly Districts" by Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts expert, April Economides, to learn more.