Wednesday, August 27, 2014

HTAC Planning Charrette for Proposed Route Change

The Helena Transportation Advisory Council (HTAC), established to make service recommendations for the Helena Area Transit Service (HATS), held a public planning charrette last week to discuss potential bus route changes. Led by consultants from Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates, the charrette began with a Transit Planning 101 session to explain basic concepts for plotting a bus route. The meeting then broke into small groups, where participants established priorities and drew out desired bus routes onto blank maps. The groups were given a limited number of "bus hours", equaling the same number of bus hours that HATS currently operates with.

The goal of the charrette was to examine how the current resources could be used to better serve the Helena Area, and to gain public input in prioritizing the bus stops. The small groups also discussed future service improvements to be made with as new funds are raised.

The consultant plans to take this input from the charrette, along with information from the Transit Development Plan and available demographic information provided by various partners, and identify four Preferred Transit Service Improvements for HATS.

Mountain Line Bus Stop Goes Green

Missoula's public transit system, Mountain Line, partnered with local public school students to pair green transportation with green energy. The bus stop helps promote sustainable energy and recycling by illuminating recycled glass bottles with solar energy.
Read the article here: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/mountain-line-bus-stop-gets-green-makeover/27743164

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Informational meeting to discuss the Greater Helena Area Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - 2014

Helena - Lewis and Clark County, the City of Helena, 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 second of three informational meetings will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at the West Valley Fire Station, 1151 Forestvale Road. The meeting will begin with a presentation at 6:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. Time for informal discussions with the project team will be available after the conclusion of the question and answer period.

The purpose of the meeting is to review the transportation system issues and areas of concern, and to ensure that all of the major transportation problems have been identified and included in the analysis. A summary of the existing and projected transportation system conditions will be presented. 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.   

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

Lewis and Clark County, the City of Helena, 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.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Bike Helena Announces Inaugural Bike Helena Shuttle Fest


Bike Helena announces the launch if the inaugural event, Bike Helena Shuttle Fest.  Bike Helena Shuttle Fest is a three day FREE bike shuttle event on August 15th, 16th and 17th 2014 in Helena, Montana.  Bring your bike and ride continuous shuttles that hit the best of Helena’s South Hills Trail System as well as the iconic Continental Divide Scenic Trail on top of MacDonald Pass.  On top of all of that, The Montana Brewer’s Association will be hosting Helena’s 150th Birthday Brewfest at Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon/evening that will feature over 20 Montana breweries pouring over 60 Montana Made beers and live music!
Additionally, there will be a fundraiser for Helena’s Vigilante Bike Park on Friday evening at The Garage in Downtown Helena. 

For more information on Bike Helena Shuttle Fest, Please contact:
Pat Doyle, Community Outreach Director, Helena Tourism Alliance/Tourism Business Improvement District/Bike Helena pdoyle@helenamt.com  , 406-449-2107

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Protected Bike Intersections

More and more evidence is pointing towards the benefits of protected bike lanes. Not only do they greatly increase the safety of bike riders, they also lead to huge jumps in the number of bikes for a route (which have all sorts of other benefits, including economic -- see my "Bicycles Mean Business" blog post here).

Even with a protected bike lane, bicyclists still have to cross intersections, which puts them right back into traffic with cars. Because of this, this urban planner is extending the protected bike lane into intersections. Nick Falbo's design protects bikes from turning vehicles, and increases visibility of the biker so there is less likelihood for collision. Watch a short video here to learn more about his design and how it can be modified to work in the U.S.

As a bonus, here's a short article from Beartooth NBC on our local Centennial Trail!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Non-Motorized Issues Explored in the Indepedent Record

This weekend the IR featured three articles discussing non-motorized travel and recreation in Helena.

One of them explains the new Non-Motorized Transportation District public hearing that's happening at the commission meeting TONIGHT at 6pm: http://helenair.com/news/local/city-to-act-on-new-taxing-district/article_7b873c7a-033a-11e4-a928-0019bb2963f4.html

Another explores bicycle infrastructure improvements that have happened over the last couple years, and potentials for the future: http://helenair.com/news/local/cycling-in-helena-improving-but-more-work-to-be-done/article_88cd9236-04ce-11e4-8b37-0019bb2963f4.html

The last one details Centennial Trail plans expected to be completed by the end of next year: http://helenair.com/news/local/centennial-trail-would-be-backbone-of-nonmotorized-transit/article_4fb1cb82-04d0-11e4-b6ab-0019bb2963f4.html


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Non-Motorized District to be Discussed at Upcoming City Meetings

The City of Helena is currently considering a resolution for the creation of a special district for non-motorized transportation. This district would cover improvements, repair, and maintenance of non-motorized transportation infrastructure that currently do not qualify for funding under the Street Maintenance District.

This new district will be discussed at both the Administrative Meeting tomorrow, July 2nd from 4pm-6pm, and the City Commission Meeting on Monday, July 7th, from 6pm-9pm. These meetings are always open to the public, who are welcome to provide any comments they may have. Find more information on the City Calendar and the City Commission Meeting Agenda Packet.