Commissioners qualify trails engineering package for up to $100,000 in bond funding

Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution qualifying a trails engineering package as eligible for up to $100,000 in funding from the 2014 Missoula City–County Park and Trails Bond program.

County staff said the package covers engineering work to advance designs for two trail segments from roughly 35% to 95% completion so the projects are ready for construction grant applications. The package includes the Blue Mountain Connector, which runs parallel to Blue Mountain Road and would connect the Bitterroot Trail shared-use path to the Blue Mountain Recreation Area, and the Mullen Road Extension Trail, which would extend the existing Mullen Trail west from Cody Lane to Dayshaw Lane for approximately 2.3 miles.

Bethany, the presenting staff member, said the requested funds would pay engineering contracts to complete trail designs, stormwater discharge permitting, Montana Department of Transportation permitting, and right-of-way and utility coordination. She added the county intends to apply for construction grant funding in the 2025 Transportation Alternatives program cycle; the application period closes in April.

A commissioner moved to approve the qualifying resolution and another seconded; the commission voted "aye" to pass the resolution. Presenting staff and commissioners discussed coordinating with the Montana Department of Transportation and the Transportation Alternatives schedule to avoid conflicts during the grant application window. County staff said a coworker, Nick, prepared the package and would continue communications with state partners.

The resolution qualifies the engineering package for bond funding; it does not commit construction funds, which county staff said will depend on subsequent grant awards and permitting.