Jeremy Keene Public Works Director presenting
This is an update on the progress of the Mullan Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) project and where we are headed next. Mr. Keene explained they are working on the master plan which will be coming to a public hearing on Monday, December 7th. This project will be funded by a Federal BUILD Grant, City/County Funding, and Developer Funding. Mrs. Harp asked where we can anticipate the other 10 million dollars to come from? Mr. Keene said we didn't receive the additional grant funds we applied for this year. He is not sure what future opportunities will be for funding. We will look at making up differences with a special impact fee district.
A Traffic Analysis was done looking at 21 intersections and 6 roadway corridors. Intersection type, lane configurations, and bike/ped facilities were included in this analysis. Montana Department of Transportation (DOT) was involved in the review and approval because Mullan and Broadway are State Routes. Mr. Keene explained that the projects had been put in order by importance and funding available.
Mr. Keene explained the key design considerations are intersection design, stormwater design, and future development. Round a bouts were the preferred method for Mary Jane/ Mullan and George Elmer/ Mullan intersections. A traffic signal will be installed at Mary Jane and Broadway with possibly a round a bout in the future depending on budget.
Mr. Keene explained while looking at stormwater it's important to consider surface water and gound water. The Master Plan included looking at some innovative ways to handle stormwater. Green Infrastructure and Bio Swale Pretreatment have been something we are looking at in terms of providing treatment of water and changing the concentration of the water.
Mr. Keene said the coordination of future development is important and currently there are about 5 major projects happening right now. He explained the breakdown of funding between the different sources for this project. The cost of the projects are running higher than our available funding. Mr. Keene said we are looking at differing some of the scope of these projects. The basic goal is to get the connectivity of the roads and bike lanes. Then come back in with some of the landscaping aspects and sidewalks where development is further off. This is a fast-moving project and we hope to begin the first construction in the Spring of 2021. There are public outreach meetings set for December and January, the past meetings have been successful for receiving feedback.
Ms. Becerra said it's helpful to see the progress of big projects like this one and asked. "How does the Mary Jane and Broadway intersection affect the Flynn lane intersection?" Mr. Keene replied that the DOT did a study at Broadway and Flynn Lane and found a safety problem. Hopefully, the Mary Jane intersection will help restrict the traffic on Flynn Lane.
Ms. Becerra also asked about the Fynn Lane and Mullan intersection. Mr. Keene replied that the hope is to direct traffic from Flynn and Mullan to Mary Jane and Mullan intersection. Mary Jane will be designed to take more traffic from Flynn Lane. We would like to treat Flynn lane more like a local road.
Ms.Merritt said it is nice to have this update. She is excited to see options like Bio Swales, they look like they will be good stormwater treatment. She noticed the Grant Creek Trail and restoration project appears to be down the list. What will come out of this stream restoration? Mr. Keene replied this is complicated because of other agencies involved. The project does have a lot of benefits to the trail and the landowners.
Will the differed infrastructure components, such as sidewalks and landscaping will be the responsibility of the developer? asked Ms. West. Mr. Keene replied we are still planning but hope to have the sidewalk involved in the project and the landscaping may be left to the developer.