Transportation
Enhancements
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Peaks to Plains Design was part of the design team for the reconstruction of State Highway 3, known locally as Airport Road, in Billings. The project includes a complete redesign of two major intersections and three miles of highway.
At the intersection of Airport Road and North 27th Street, a modern roundabout has been constructed and is being highly praised by citizens of the community. This interchange currently handles over 11,000 vehicles per day and is projected to handle over 19,000 vehicles by the year 2025. The traffic includes everyone from semi trucks, local commuters, airport passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. As a major gateway into the City, the intersection needs to serve as a visually pleasing gateway for the community and also serve many functions.
Over three miles of roadway has been reconstructed towards Main Street (Highway 87) from the roundabout. Design challenges include reclamation techniques, vehicle access on/off the road, airport security and aesthetics. The other major intersection is at Airport Road and Alkali Creek Road in the Heights. This interchange is reconfigured with a new overpass bridge, clover-leaf turn lanes and new intersections. Peaks to Plains Design incorporated sandstone boulders to recreate the vertical element and provide a means for modified soil structure to support the re-vegetation of trees and shrubs native to the area. Design challenges included context-sensitive design, multi-use pathway circulation, hillside reclamation and long-term maintenance. The project is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2009.
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Peaks to Plains Design was part of a design team tasked with extending Aronson Avenue to Airport Road in the Heights neighborhood of Billings, Montana. The extension project started at the high bluffs overlooking the valley and crossed a major irrigation ditch and Alkali Creek. Heights residents expressed an interest in an aesthetically pleasing route. In addition to boulevard tree and ornamental grass plantings, other trees were placed to screen views of private property. The landscape architects worked with the engineers to select an architectural finish for the bridge and encouraged the use of ornamental steel for the guardrails. A bicycle path follows the road right-of-way and will connect multiple trails at the Airport Road intersection.
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Peaks to Plains Design provided landscape architectural services for a new rest area that was constructed in 2008 off Interstate 90 near Anaconda, Montana. The design concept included two new picnic shelters, planting design for microclimate control and trail connections to the Greenway Service District’s regional trail corridor. The building, walkways and vegetation placement takes into account the view of the old Anaconda Copper Company smelter stack, completed on May 5, 1919, which is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet, 1.5 inches. In addition, the design team worked with community groups to place a large, historic steel smelter “ladle” on the site to provide for an interpretative opportunities on Anaconda’s rich history.
Peaks to Plains Design is part of a design team for an IDIQ contract for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The firm is also part of several design teams pre-qualified to perform consultant work with Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and is prequalified to perform services for the Wyoming DOT.
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Peaks to Plains Design was part of a design team to reconstruct South Billings Boulevard, a gateway arterial road leading into Billings. Utilizing bond financing passed by voters, the road was reconstructed to urban standards and enhanced with a bicycle trail and landscape amenities. Design considerations included the school zone for Newman Elementary School, which needed a bus drop-off area, a small easting area and a pedestrian refuge island for the road. Peaks to Plains Design worked with the engineers to create these spaces without affecting traffic flow and maintaining sight distances for vehicles along this busy corridor.
The remainder of the corridor was enhanced with a regular spacing of street trees and bike trail, creating a warm welcome to residents and visitors to the City’s core.
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Peaks to Plains Design developed a design for new entry signage and visual enhancement for the corridor leading to downtown Buffalo. The first sign is proposed along Interstate 90 next exit 58. A simple rock structure will greet travelers to the community, blending with that natural, native landscaping and embracing the outline of the Big Horn Mountains, which provide the picturesque backdrop for this community. Constraints include complying with highway clear-zone requirements, accessibility for construction and the design program.
The City of Buffalo also wanted to enhance an entry point leading to downtown with a new Gateway Park. This design includes a bronze sculpture, which is integrated into a water feature, walking path, lighting and landscaping. The location will greet travelers and provide interpretative and relaxation opportunities. This project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2010.
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