RPA conducted a comprehensive assessment of existing transportation and infrastructure conditions within downtown Helena, including roadway operations, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, transit access, parking supply, and underlying utility systems. The analysis identified key constraints and opportunities to improve mobility, safety, and functionality in the downtown area.

A strong emphasis was placed on multimodal connectivity and user experience. RPA evaluated pedestrian crossings, sidewalk conditions, bicycle routes, and parking access to develop recommendations that enhance accessibility and create a more walkable and bike-friendly downtown environment. Circulation patterns and roadway configurations were analyzed to balance vehicular access with multimodal priorities.

Public and stakeholder engagement played a central role in shaping the plan. Outreach efforts included stakeholder meetings, public workshops, and interactive tools to gather input from residents, businesses, and community leaders, ensuring the plan reflects local priorities and supports downtown vitality.

The plan also integrated infrastructure considerations, including assessment of existing utilities and drainage systems, to align transportation improvements with broader infrastructure needs. Conceptual streetscape and urban design recommendations were developed to enhance the character and functionality of downtown corridors.

The final plan provides a coordinated set of recommendations, including prioritized projects, design concepts, and an implementation strategy to guide future investments. The plan positions the City of Helena to enhance mobility, improve safety, and support economic development while preserving the unique character of its downtown core.

RPA developed a comprehensive, data-driven planning framework to evaluate existing conditions and guide future transportation investments across the Greater Helena Area. The effort included a detailed needs assessment, incorporating analysis of existing plans, traffic operations, multimodal connectivity, and socioeconomic trends. Travel demand modeling was used to evaluate future conditions, identify system deficiencies, and support informed decision-making.

A robust public and stakeholder engagement program ensured the plan reflects community priorities. Outreach efforts included stakeholder interviews, public open houses, interactive mapping tools, and online surveys, providing multiple opportunities for input throughout the planning process.

RPA conducted scenario planning and alternatives analysis to evaluate different transportation investments under projected growth projections. These scenarios were tested using modeling tools to understand system-wide impacts and guide the development of recommendations.

The project also included development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, incorporating crash data analysis, safety risk assessment, and targeted strategies to reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the multimodal transportation network. Additionally, RPA completed transit planning efforts, including development of a Transit Development Plan (TDP), Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan, and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), supporting long-term investment and coordination while aligning with federal requirements.

The resulting plan provides a comprehensive roadmap for the Greater Helena Area’s transportation system, including prioritized projects, policy recommendations, and a fiscally constrained implementation strategy, positioning the MPO to guide transportation investments, support regional growth, and enhance mobility and safety for all users over the next 20 years.

RPA was retained to develop the 2024 Great Falls Area Long Range Transportation Plan, a federally required planning document that charts a course for the area’s multimodal transportation system over the next 20 years. The plan was developed in full compliance with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which introduced new federal requirements, updated planning emphasis areas, and expanded funding opportunities for MPOs nationwide.

RPA led plan development through a three-phase process covering existing conditions, visioning, and recommendations, designed to ensure meaningful public input at each stage. Outreach included two public open houses, stakeholder interviews, an online survey that received 575 responses, an interactive commenting map that generated over 160 public comments, and coordination with neighborhood councils and partner agencies. This broad engagement helped ensure the plan reflects the priorities of Great Falls residents, including a strong desire for improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, expanded transit service, and safer streets.

The technical work underlying the plan included a detailed assessment of the existing transportation network covering roadways, non-motorized facilities, transit services, goods movement, and asset conditions, as well as a comprehensive safety analysis of 8,567 reported crashes over a five-year period. RPA used a travel demand model developed for Cascade County to project transportation conditions to 2045 under multiple growth and network scenarios, identifying corridors and intersections likely to experience capacity and operational challenges as the region grows.

The resulting plan includes a prioritized, fiscally constrained menu of improvements spanning committed near-term projects, recommended investments through 2045, and a visionary long-term network. Recommended projects address roadway reconstruction, intersection improvements, bridge rehabilitation, sidewalk infill, and expanded bicycle facilities, totaling approximately $200 million in planned investments. The plan also establishes non-motorized recommendations for nearly 100 miles of new or improved walking and biking facilities, as well as transit goals focused on expanded service coverage, improved reliability, and better rider amenities. The Great Falls LRTP was adopted by the Policy Coordinating Committee in November 2024.