5.1. Project Overview:

The Billings-Yellowstone County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) through the City is seeking a qualified consultant team to provide planning services for a feasibility study for the development of three trails. Below are the names and locations of the trails:

1. Downtown to Heights Connection: This project would create a new non-motorized connection to the existing Jim Dutcher Trail approximately where Charlene St. intersects with the railroad tracks. The goal is to generally connect South 25th Street to 8th Ave South to South 26th Street to Lillian Avenue, under I-90 at the railroad, and into the existing Jim Dutcher Trail. The route could vary slightly, but initial discussions with the refinery indicated that Lillian Ave is feasible and Erie Dr is not. This segment will provide a non-motorized connection from Downtown to Billings Heights.
2. Alkali Creek Connection: This project would extend the Alkali Creek Trail Corridor from the Main Street tunnel along Alkali Creek to the Aronson Connection Trail just east of Aronson Bridge.
3. Aronson Ave to Annandale Rd: Approximately 500ft southwest of Governors Blvd, beginning on Aronson Ave there is City owned park property running northwest to Constitution Ave. North of Constitution Ave there is a mixture of City and State-owned land up to Wicks Ln. The trail will join with the West Wicks ln/Skyway Dr Trail before continuing North to where Annandale Rd is expected to be extended in the future.

5.2. Timeline

Part 1: Schedule

• The anticipated project duration is 6 months from notice to proceed, with key milestones including:
  • Month 1: Project kickoff and data collection
  • Month 3: Public engagement and alternatives development
  • Month 4: Draft preferred plans
  • Months 5-6: Final report and presentations

• Part 2: Coordination and Meetings
  • Monthly progress meetings with MPO staff (virtually)
  • Weekly email on project activities sent to staff, project advisory committee, and elected officials. This list of email recipients will be provided by the MPO
  • Up to four virtual or in-person meetings with the project advisory committee
  • Coordination with the Planning Division; City Parks, Recreation and Public Lands; and City and County Public Works Departments.
  • Attendance at public and governing body presentations

Scope of Work

Below is a general outline of the anticipated scope of work. However, the final scope of work will be negotiated with the successful proposer. The budget for this project shall not exceed $80,000. The proposer should provide a schedule of activities and dates of completion.

• Objectives
  • Evaluate existing conditions, access, and connectivity opportunities for each trail site.
  • Engage with stakeholders, landowners, and the public to determine priorities and design preferences.
  • Develop concept-level trail alignments, design alternatives, and cost estimates including annual maintenance.
  • Identify permitting, environmental, and property right of way needs.
  • Provide final planning documents with planning level design and with information that could feed into funding applications.
  • Identify potential fatal flaws that could inhibit the projects from being constructed.
• Tasks and Deliverables
  • Attend kickoff meetings with City/MPO staff and Project Advisory Committee (PAC).
  • Review existing plans (if available), GIS data, and previous studies.
  • Conduct site visits and field assessments for each trail location.
  • Prepare a baseline conditions report summarizing findings.

Deliverable: Baseline Conditions and Opportunities Report (PDF & GIS format)

• Stakeholder and Public Engagement
  • Develop a public engagement plan identifying methods and schedule.
  • Conduct stakeholder interviews, public meetings, or online surveys.
  • Summarize community feedback to inform design options.
  • Develop and maintain public outreach activities and any public comments received as part of the project. This information will be included in an Appendix of the report.

Deliverable: Public Engagement Report

• Trail Alternatives and Feasibility Analysis
  • Develop up to two (2) conceptual alignment per site.
  • Analyze each alignment for feasibility, land ownership, right of way constraints/needs, environmental constraints, and develop planning level costs of each proposed alignment, including maintenance costs (repair, replacement, sweeping, snow and weed removal ect.) and fatal flaws.
  • Coordinate with relevant agencies including but not limited to, City and County local governments and their respective Departments and State/Federal Agencies.

Deliverable: Concept Alternatives Report with maps and preliminary cost estimates.

• Preferred Concept Plans
  • Incorporate feedback to develop a preferred concept for each site.
  • Provide typical cross-sections, amenities, and connectivity details.
  • Identify phasing and potential funding opportunities.
  • Identify any information on any risks, roadblocks, or potential fatal flaws that may affect the success of the project.
  • Provide additional information to advance the trail feasibility study, including necessary preliminary engineering and design elements not allowed under PL funding, such as surveying, easements, etc...

Deliverable: Preferred Trail Concept plans and summary Report

• Final Documentation and Presentation
• Prepare a final planning report compiling all tasks and recommendations.
• Present findings to City Council, Yellowstone County Planning Board, County Commissioners, Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). This may be done virtually.
• Provide digital files (GIS, PDF, and editable design files).
• Electronic version of the Plan that may be posted to websites and easily sent to stakeholders.
• Electronic version of the Executive Summary as a standalone document
• Up to 10 printed copies of the plan and digital copy with native files.

Deliverable: Final Trail Planning Report and Presentation Materials