City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: ADRIANA CASTAÑEDA, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Resolutions to Support Grant Applications for the Transportation Land-Use Connections Program and Regional Roadway Safety Program to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of Resolutions to submit two applications for Technical Assistance Grants to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG).
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 1) to support the submission of a grant application for up to $80,000 in technical assistance from the Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program to perform a feasibility study of a multi-use trail on North Beauregard Street between Fillmore Avenue and the Fairfax County boundary border.
2. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 2) to support the submission of a grant application for up to $80,000 in technical assistance from the Regional Roadway Safety Program (RRSP) to study safety improvements on Braddock Road between Quaker Lane and Van Dorn Street.
3. Authorize the City Manager to apply to the TLCP and RRSP for Technical Assistance through MWCOG and enter into any agreements with MWCOG to accept and implement the grants.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Land-Use Connections Program
MWCOG’s TLC Program provides funding for short-term consultant services to local jurisdictions for small planning and preliminary design projects that promote mixed-use, walkable communities, and to support a variety of transportation alternatives.
The Alexandria Mobility Plan Proposed Bicycle Network designates North Beauregard Street as a future ‘trail/side path’ and “enhanced bicycle facility” and shows connections to planned facilities on King Street, Braddock Road, and Seminary Road. The AlexWest Small Area Plan designates North Beauregard Street as a ‘planned off-road multi-use path.’ The Complete Streets Work Plan includes a feasibility study to implement a multi-use trail on North Beauregard Street and also includes an existing project in design to construct a trail from Berkeley Street to Fillmore Avenue.
Regional Roadway Safety Program
MWCOG’s RRSP provides funding for short-term consultant services for planning or preliminary engineering projects that address roadway safety issues that will lead to a reduction in fatal and serious injuries from roadway crashes.
In 2017, the City adopted a Vision Zero Policy and developed an Action Plan with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2028. In 2024, the updated Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School opened to students on Braddock Road, leading to an increase of pedestrian traffic with many students walking between campuses along this corridor.
DISCUSSION:
Transportation Land-Use Connections Program (up to $80,000)
The City proposes to request technical assistance from the TLC Program to perform a feasibility study of a multi-use trail on North Beauregard Street between Fillmore Avenue and the City boundary with Fairfax County. This corridor provides access to high-density residential communities, commercial and retail establishments, Holmes Run Trail, Winkler Botanical Preserve, William Ramsay Recreation Center, and public transportation, including the existing Mark Center Transit Center, and the future West End Transitway. An existing project to construct a multi-use trail from Berkeley Street to Fillmore Avenue is in the design phase and construction is expected to be completed by 2027. This project would include funding for an existing conditions assessment, conceptual design planning, and a conceptual design cost estimate that will help support a future grant application to enhance mobility, accessibility, safety, and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians.
Regional Roadway Safety Program (up to $80,000)
The City proposes to request technical assistance from the RRSP to study safety improvements on Braddock Road between Quaker Lane and North Van Dorn Street. This project is listed in the Complete Streets Five-Year Work Plan (2025-2029). The project would include planning, conceptual design, and community outreach for corridor improvements on Braddock Road to enhance the safety and comfort for all roadway users, including improvements to intersections, traffic signals, sidewalks, and lane configuration.
Both projects support strategies in the Alexandria Mobility Plan and address MWCOG Transportation Planning Board’s priorities. These projects are expected to further project development in support of the City’s adopted goals. If approved, technical assistance would be awarded in Spring 2025, with the project expected to be conducted between Fall 2025 and June 2026. The deadline for applications is March 7, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: This initiative has no fiscal impact, as TLC Program and RRSP projects do not require a local match, and these funds are not actually appropriated by the City. MWCOG staff will oversee procurement activities and collaborate with City staff to manage the project consultant. Upon completion of these studies, the City plans to utilize enhanced project readiness to implement recommendations via future competitive grant opportunities or existing Complete Streets - Vision Zero Capital Improvement Program funds. In the event that the projects are not awarded, the City will need to find alternative funding for these studies in the future or push these projects to future years.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution - Transportation Land-Use Connections Program
Attachment 2: Resolution - Regional Roadway Safety Program
Attachment 3: Endorsement Letter
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, Transportation Planning and Mobility, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief of Transportation Planning, T&ES
Alexandria Carroll, Complete Streets Program Manager, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Silas Sullivan, Urban Planner II, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Philippe Simon, Grants Coordinator, T&ES