Big Sky Transportation Study

Planning For Big Sky, Montana’s Bright Future

The Big Sky Transportation Study was commissioned by the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, with funding support from the Big Sky Resort Tax, Gallatin County and Madison County. The purpose of the study was to evaluate traffic safety and operations along the MT 64/Lone Mountain Trail corridor, both addressing the needs of today as well as projecting needs of the future. The study presents existing traffic volumes, an origin destination survey, crash data summary, existing bike and pedestrian facilities, future development scenarios, and future traffic volumes for 10 and 20-year horizons. The recommended improvements consist of turn lanes, intersection control, wildlife and curve warning signage upgrades, proposed bike and pedestrian facilities, transit system expansion, and many other miscellaneous improvements.

The project has included a fairly comprehensive public involvement process including a community meeting that was held in July 2017, where the draft study was presented for public comment. Additional public forums have been held as part of the review process including meetings of the Madison County Planning Board, Gallatin Canyon/Big Sky Zoning Advisory Committee, and the Gallatin County Planning and Zoning Commission. The Madison County and Gallatin County Commissions adopted the study in late 2017, using it to successfully apply for a $10,300,000 Federal TIGER Grant, which will fund many of the recommended improvements.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS STUDY WERE USED TO
PROCURE A TRANSFORMATIVE $10.3 MILLION FEDERAL TIGER GRANT, WHICH WILL HELP TO FUND THE IMPROVEMENTS