MPO to Host Events for Long Range Transportation Plan Recommendations
Published on August 04, 2026
Greater Helena Area, MT – The Greater Helena Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) invites community members to review draft recommendations for the region's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and help determine which projects should be prioritized for funding over the next 20 years.
Over the past several months, the MPO has been evaluating transportation needs across the Greater Helena Area, including road conditions, safety, growth trends, and multimodal connectivity, and has developed a draft set of recommendations to address them. This next phase of outreach shares those recommendations with the public and asks community members to weigh in on which should be prioritized for funding as the plan is finalized.
"These recommendations represent months of analysis and community input, but the next step, deciding what gets prioritized, is where public voice matters most," said Ty Weingartner, MPO Manager. "We want to hear directly from the community about what is needed most urgently."
The MPO will be out in the community throughout August in a variety of formats, so residents can participate however works best for them:
Pop-Up Events:
Helena Farmers Market
Saturday, August 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
East Helena Farmers Market
Tuesday, August 11, 3 to 6 p.m.
In-Person Open Houses:
Lewis and Clark Public Library (Community Room, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch)
Wednesday, August 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Helena Civic Center (Ballroom, 340 Neill Avenue)
Thursday, August 13, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Pop-up events offer a quick, convenient way for residents to learn about the plan and share feedback. The open houses will feature more detailed displays and maps, and members of the planning team will be available to answer questions. There won’t be a formal presentation, so attendees are welcome to drop in at any event at any time during the listed hours.
The MPO is also hosting a virtual open house from August 1 through August 31, allowing community members to explore the recommendations and submit feedback online as it’s convenient. The virtual open house can be accessed at greaterhelenampo.com/LRTP.
Feedback gathered through this outreach effort will directly inform how recommendations are prioritized in the final LRTP, which will be released for a formal public comment period later this fall. Interested community members can subscribe to email updates to be notified when the draft plan is released at greaterhelenampo.com/Plans/LRTP/PUBLIC-ENGAGEMENT.
Comments may be submitted at the in-person open house events, online at greaterhelenampo.com/LRTP/PUBLIC-ENGAGEMENT, or by contacting Ty Weingartner, MPO Manager, at 406-447-8406 or tweingartner@helenamt.gov.
About the Greater Helena Area MPO
The Greater Helena Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for coordinating transportation planning and investment decisions in the region. The MPO works with local jurisdictions, state and federal partners, and the public to develop plans that support safe, efficient, and multimodal transportation systems.
Greater Helena Area MPO partner agencies include the City of Helena, City of East Helena, Lewis and Clark County, and MDT.
Community input is an important part of the planning process. Community members are encouraged to participate and to share information about the open houses and survey with colleagues, neighbors, and community networks.
Lewis and Clark County, the City of Helena, and the City of East Helena are committed to providing access to persons with disabilities for their meetings, in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Montana Human Rights Act. The County and Cities will not exclude persons with disabilities from participation at their meetings or otherwise deny them the County or Cities’ services, programs, or activities. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations to attend the open houses should contact Ty Weingartner, MPO Manager, at 406-447-8406, tweingartner@helenamt.gov, or Montana Relay Service at 1-800-253-4091 or 711. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange for the requested accommodation.
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