City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 8, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: EMILY BAKER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Funding Request for FY 2032 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Funds.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to submit an application from the City of Alexandria for the FY 2032 CMAQ/RSTP Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution (Attachment 1) supporting the submission of the FY 2032 CMAQ/RSTP funding request; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply for these funds and to and enter into any necessary agreements to accept these grants.
BACKGROUND: Since 1993, the Commonwealth of Virginia has allocated CMAQ and RSTP funding to the Northern Virginia region. CMAQ funded projects must meet three eligibility requirements: 1) have a transportation focus, 2) reduce air emissions, and 3) be located in or benefit a nonattainment or maintenance area.
RSTP funds are flexible funds that may be used for a variety of regional transportation activities, including but not limited to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, transit capital projects, and transportation or transit studies.
The City of Alexandria must submit the FY 2032 CMAQ/RSTP funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) by January 2026.
DISCUSSION: Staff propose to submit the projects listed below for FY 2032 funding. These projects, as well as the prior year CMAQ/RSTP funding awards are shown in Attachment 2.
The City’s funding request for FY 2032 is up to $5.2M and includes the following projects:
FY 2032 CMAQ/RSTP Proposed Program
|
Project Name |
FY 2031 |
|
Duke Street and Route 1 Safety Improvements |
$3,200,000 |
|
Capital Bikeshare |
$1,000,000 |
|
Safe Streets Studies |
$1,000,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$5,200,000 |
Duke Street and Route 1 Safety Improvements
Both Duke Street and Route 1 (Patrick and Henry Streets) were identified as high crash corridors in the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan. This project seeks to implement long-term improvements identified in the Regional Road Safety Grant from MWCOG several years ago. These include median islands, curb extensions, changes in lane configuration, and striping changes.
The project concepts were approved by the Traffic and Parking Board in FY 2024. The City has already appropriated design funds, and this project would provide funds to fully construct the project. Staff intend to implement interim measures with striping until full construction is feasible.
Proposed Funding: Up to $3,200,000
Capital Bikeshare
This funding will be used for up to 24 Capital Bikeshare station replacements. Capital Bikeshare stations reach the end of their useful life after ten years. Securing this funding ensures a plan to replace stations on schedule.
Proposed Funding: Up to $1,000,000
Safe Streets Studies
This funding will be able to be used for a variety of functions related to safe streets programs. These could include updates to the Vision Zero Action Plan or crash analyses, Safe Routes to School walk audits, high priority corridor studies, Complete Streets Design Guidelines, or other projects aimed at making our transportation network safer. The needs will be assessed and determined prior to FY32.
Proposed Funding: Up to $1,000,000
The Transportation Commission reviewed these recommendations at its December 2025 meeting and approved the resolution in Attachment 3 endorsing this application.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Commonwealth of Virginia provides the match for both RSTP and CMAQ funds, there will be no fiscal impact to the City from accepting these funds. While the City is requesting authority to submit applications for up to $5,200,000, the final awarded amount could be less or more based on available funding from the state. Should this be the case, staff will work with the state to align the funding requests to meet the amount the City would be awarded.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: FY 2026 - FY 2031 CMAQ/RSTP Approved and FY 2032 Proposed Funding
Attachment 3: Transportation Commission Endorsement Letter
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Alicia Wright, Acting Assistant Director, Administrative Services, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Christina Alexander, Capital Projects Program Manager, T&ES