City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2024
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 at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of the submission of two grant applications for Technical Assistance Grants to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) through formal resolutions.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution to support the submission of a grant application by March 8, 2024, for up to $100,000 in Technical Assistance to perform planning, outreach, and conceptual design for corridor improvements on Edsall Road between South Pickett Street, and the city boundary;
2. Approve a Resolution to support the submission of a grant application by March 8, 2024, for up to $100,000 in Technical Assistance to study safety improvements on Seminary Road between North Beauregard Street, and the City boundary; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to apply to the Transportation Land-Use Connections Program (TLCP) and Regional Roadway Safety Program (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 up to $100,000 in 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 Edsall Road as a future “enhanced bicycle facility” and shows connections to planned facilities on South Van Dorn Street, and South Pickett Street. In 2023, T&ES staff and the Transportation Commission developed a Complete Streets Five-Year Plan (FY 2023 to FY 2027) that includes a project to implement multimodal improvements on Edsall Road between South Pickett Street, and the City boundary.
Regional Roadway Safety Program
MWCOG’s Regional Roadway Safety Program (RRSP) provides up to $100,000 in 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. The City's High Injury Network (HIN) is a collection of corridors where high numbers of individuals have been killed, or severely injured in traffic crashes, and includes a segment of Seminary Road. Between 2018 and 2022, 133 crashes occurred on the segment of Seminary Road between North Beauregard Street and the city boundary. These crashes led to five severe injuries and two fatalities. Reducing the frequency and severity of crashes on HIN corridors is essential for the City to achieve its Vision Zero goal.
DISCUSSION:
Transportation Land-Use Connections Program
The City proposes to request Technical Assistance from the Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program for the outreach and design of multimodal corridor improvements on Edsall Road between South Pickett Street and the City boundary. This corridor provides access to high-density residential communities, commercial and retail establishments, Armistead Boothe Park, and public transportation, including the future West End Transitway site. The project would include funding for data collection, analysis, community engagement, and conceptual design planning for corridor improvements on Edsall Road that will serve to enhance mobility, accessibility, safety, and comfort for all roadway users.
Regional Roadway Safety Program
The City proposes a request for Technical Assistance from the Regional Roadway Safety Program (RRSP) to study safety improvements along Seminary Road between North Beauregard Street and the City boundary. The project would include planning and conceptual design for corridor improvements on Seminary Road which will enhance the safety and comfort for all roadway users, including improvements to intersections, traffic signals, and lane configuration. In 2023, staff worked with the community to better understand concerns along this roadway and implemented some short-term solutions. Data was collected in the fall of 2023, and further analysis is needed to fully understand the feasibility of various design options that can improve safety along this corridor.
Both projects support strategies in the Alexandria Mobility Plan and address MWCOG Transportation Planning Board’s (TPB) priorities. These projects are expected to lead to the selection of a preferred design alternative, paving the way for further design development. If approved, the project funding would be awarded in Spring 2024, with the project expected to run from Fall 2024 to June 2025. The deadline for applications is March 8, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT: This initiative has no fiscal impact, as TLC and RRSP projects do not necessitate a local match. 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 the enhanced project readiness to implement recommendations via future competitive grant opportunities or existing Complete Streets - Vision Zero Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds. In the event that the project is not awarded, the City will need to source alternative funding for these studies in the future.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution - Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program
2. Resolution - Regional Roadway Safety Program (RRSP)
3. Endorsement Letters
4. Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Tarrence Moorer, Assistant Director, Internal Services, T&ES
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, Transportation, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief of Transportation Planning, T&ES
Alexandria Carroll, Complete Streets Program Manager, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Philippe Simon, Grants Coordinator, T&ES