We have been working with the Montana Interim Transportation Committee in finding ways to help support maintenance and expansion of our shared use path (SUP) system in Montana. There is over 180 miles of SUPs on Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) rights of way and the 2017 legislature passed the Montana Shared Use Path Act to provide for that system.
This act set up a funding system through vehicle registration and to-date, $50,000 has been donated by Montana citizens to the fund. The funds are allocated by MDOT District and funds education and maintenance as priorities. It’s not a large amount of money but has real potential to grow. The Committee, with leadership by Representative Denley Loge of St. Regis, is seeking additional methods of funding our SUPs. There has been a great increase in bicycling and walking since COVID has kept us socially distant and craving exercise and more options for commuting to travel to work, essential shopping and school.
During the 2019 session, the Montana Legislature passed HJ45 which directed the committee’s effort over the interim which they diligently did resulting in an excellent report detailing options and ideas for the next session. The final report is available here.
We will be part of a working group meeting on October 7th to further explore the possibilities for reinforcing the current funding approach as well as additional options. This is being set up and organized by MDOT at the direction of the committee. We want to thank all the members of the interim committee for their work over the last two years.