WHY PREPARE A STATEWIDE ADA TRANSITION PLAN?

MDT’s mission is to plan, build, operate, and maintain a safe and resilient transportation system to move Montana forward. In fulfilling its mission, MDT recognizes the importance of providing access to all transportation system users. Accessible building facilities and rights-of-way provide critical access to employment, health care, education, and government services. Access for people with disabilities facilitates independence and self-sufficiency, quality of life, participation in the work force, and meaningful social and economic contributions to society. The MDT ADA Transition Plan is an important step in helping MDT eliminate barriers and provide opportunities for disabled individuals to use MDT programs, rights-of-way, and building facilities.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN?

The purpose of the plan is to provide guidance for removal of accessibility barriers in the public right-of-way on State of Montana maintained routes and in MDT’s public programs and services. The plan provides an overview of MDT’s external ADA program, outlines MDT’s mission and ADA policy, and identifies methods to assist MDT in complying with ADA regulations. The plan is intended to be a living document to reflect the current MDT ADA program and compliance status.

WHY IS AN UPDATE NEEDED?

MDT is committed to revisiting and updating its ADA Transition Plan on a five-year cycle to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with current agency practices. This update comes at an opportune time, following recent leadership and organizational changes within MDT and more broadly across state and federal government, as well as routine staffing turnover. The update process enables MDT to revisit current staffing roles and responsibilities, capture current institutional knowledge and best practices, and incorporate new technologies, streamlined processes, and modernized approaches that best meet MDT’s needs and operating conditions. Regular updates also help ensure that MDT’s ADA program reflects evolving federal guidance, statewide priorities, and on-the-ground implementation experience.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SINCE THE LAST PLAN WAS COMPLETED?

Since the plan was last updated in 2021, MDT has continued to collect ADA inventory data annually and has developed updated statewide plans and studies that complement and influence the ADA program. Additionally, over the past several years, MDT has had an opportunity to implement the most recent scoring procedure outlined in the 2021 plan and to continue conversations with staff and stakeholders about potential process improvements and refinements. As MDT approaches the five-year mark since 2021, these circumstances present an ideal opportunity to update the plan.
With this plan update, MDT aims to reaffirm its commitment to removing accessibility barriers and ensuring that all transportation facilities, programs, and services are usable by individuals of all abilities. The update will build on past work with a focus on refining processes, capturing lessons learned, and ensuring that the plan continues to reflect current practices, technologies, and organizational structure.

WHO IS DEVELOPING THE PLAN UPDATE?

While MDT is the contracting authority for this planning effort, the plan is being developed with input from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) along with the public and stakeholders. An advisory committee of federal and state officials will help guide the plan update. Input from technical experts, key stakeholders, and the public will be solicited throughout the planning process to provide perspectives from their areas of interest and expertise regarding accessible programs, rights-of-way, and building facilities. Consulting firm Robert Peccia and Associates (RPA) is assisting the planning partners in completing the plan update.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PLAN UPDATE?

The MDT ADA Transition Plan addresses requirements relating to physical assets, including right-of-way features and facilities within state-owned MDT right-of-way. Additionally, the plan addresses other elements outlined in Title II of the ADA related to MDT administration, communications, and maintenance functions.
For the purposes of this plan, facilities are defined to include MDT district and headquarters office buildings, rest areas, airports, maintenance buildings, and Motor Carrier Services (MCS) scale sites. Right-of-way features include elements such as curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, median crossings, and pedestrian-activated signal systems. Features and facilities owned by local governments and private entities are not addressed in this plan.

WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN THE PLAN UPDATE PROCESS?

The planning process will involve two phases.
1. During the ADA Program Audit Phase, the planning team will gather information about how MDT’s ADA program currently functions, staff roles and responsibilities, changes or issues identified since the 2021 plan, and any related needs, challenges, and areas for improvement. In addition to research and conversations with MDT officials, a stakeholder meeting will be conducted to learn about external perspectives and concerns.
2. The Documentation Phase will be the culmination of the planning effort, with research, findings, and recommendations incorporated in the updated 2026 ADA Transition Plan Update. MDT will host an online open house to facilitate public review. The final plan will reflect best practices, commitments, and updated actions and strategies for addressing accessibility barriers in the MDT transportation system.

HOW CAN I SUBMIT A COMMENTS ABOUT A SPECIFIC BARRIER LOCATION?

This plan update is focused on statewide program methodologies to assist MDT in complying with ADA regulations. The plan will not address specific projects or barrier locations. However, MDT welcomes comments at any time related to accessibility barriers on state-owned facilities. Comments can be provided in the following ways:

• Online Comment Form (select ADA Related Topic in the project dropdown list)
• Contact Matt Maze, External ADA Specialist
• Email: mmazeXYZmtABCgov
• Phone: 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.
• Mail:
     Montana Department of Transportation
     Civil Rights
     PO Box 201001
     Helena, MT 59620

HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE PLANNING EFFORT?

This update is intended to be a collaborative process with MDT, FHWA, stakeholders, and the public. Announcements will be posted to this website about opportunities to share feedback on accessibility-related transportation issues and needs and on the draft plan. Additionally, dates, times, and formats of public engagement opportunities will be announced through the local media, MDT’s social media channels, and an electronic mailing list.
To join the email list for this plan update, please contact the individuals listed on this website. The project team will collect and consider all public comments throughout the planning process to better understand concerns.