The Great Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization has released its draft of the 2024 Great Falls Long Range Transportation Plan for public review.

The plan focuses on the metropolitan area, which is larger than the city limits, and is used to help guide planning for local agencies related to community transportation infrastructure investment based on system needs and anticipated developments over the next two decades.

[View the draft plan here]

The draft plan includes more than 90 roadway network recommendations and improvement projects developed to improve the area’s transportation system and ensure roadways are safe with enough capacity to accommodate existing and future travel needs through 2045, according to the city.

The draft includes another 170 non-motorized recommendations such as shared use paths, sidewalks, bike facilities and spot improvements to support the development of a multimodal transportation network, according to city staff.

Open house upcoming for transportation plan

The preliminary recommendations were identified through public meetings in May 2023 and May 2024, as well as a analysis of existing and projected conditions within the community by the consultant and local planners.

The plan is a collaborative effort of the MPO, City of Great Falls, Cascade County, Great Falls Transit District and the Montana Department of Transportation and the public.

Transportation plan open house is May 22 [2023]

The public is encouraged to review the draft and share concerns, thoughts and other feedback with the project team to finalize the plan.

The deadline for public comment is 5 p.m. Sept. 23.

Great Falls Transit seeking public input on transportation development plan

After the public review period, the project team will review and consider all public comments and address feedback as appropriate. The revised plan will be presented to the Great Falls Technical Advisory Committee, Policy Coordinating Committee and both the city and county commissioners for approval and adoption.

Comments should be submitted to Scott Randall, project manager, by phone at 406-447-5005 or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601.

Local planning group opens survey about long range transportation plan

The transportation plan effort began in February 2023.

For the most part, projects need to be identified in the LRTP to receive federal funding. Projects move from the LRTP to the Transportation Improvement Plan, which is a five-year capital improvement plan for federal-aid roads and projects, according to Andrew Finch, city transportation planner. Once a project in the TIP, and the state’s TIP, it can move forward as a funded projects, programmed with federal agencies.

Amendment to long range transportation plan on March 15 city agenda [2022]

The previous LRTP was completed in 2018 and amended in 2019 and 2022.

Much of the information holds true, but the transportation system and community needs “are ever changing,” according to the plan website.

Updates considered to transportation plan to move two projects to recommended list [2019]

The 2024 plan is an opportunity to respond to changing community needs and interests; plan for emerging transportation technologies; advance national, state and local initiatives; and prepare Great Falls for future transportation funding opportunities, according to the plan website.