1. Project Initiation and Planning: o Conduct a kickoff meeting with stakeholders, including representatives from Montana Department of Transportation, City of Billings, and BNSF Railroad, and others deemed vital. o Develop a project process outlining the project's scope, objectives, deliverables, and timeline. o Establish a project team and assign responsibilities. o Review existing documentation, plans, and safety records related to the underpass. 2. Data Collection and Analysis: o Conduct a thorough field review of the underpass, analyzing current safety conditions, signage, lighting, and visibility. o Evaluate traffic flow and patterns. Include existing traffic count information and a count of traffic during train activity at the 27th Street crossing. o Identify existing and potential safety hazards and areas of concern. 3. Stakeholder Engagement: o Establish regular communication channels with BNSF Railroad to understand their operational requirements and constraints. o Conduct public outreach and community engagement activities to gather input on safety concerns and improvement priorities. o Engage with local law enforcement and emergency services for insights into safety issues.
