City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 5, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution in Support of the Alexandria Union Station - King Street Metrorail Station Pedestrian Tunnel Project. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of a resolution in support for the Alexandria Union Station - King Street Metrorail Station Pedestrian Tunnel Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) supporting the Alexandria Union Station - King Street Metrorail Station Pedestrian Tunnel Project.
DISCUSSION: Virginia Railway Express (VRE) plans to construct a pedestrian tunnel that connects the mezzanine of the King Street Metrorail Station to Alexandria's Union Station and upgrades to the eastern VRE/Amtrak platform at Alexandria's Union Station. The $10 million project will improve ADA accessibility and passenger train operations and increase capacity of the station and commuter and intercity rail services offered at the station.
Currently, connectivity and accessibility are major challenges for individuals looking to access Alexandria's Union Station and the King Street Metrorail station. Individuals must walk under the existing Metrorail and CSX tracks and around the corner via a pedestrian walkway, parallel to King Street. Also, Alexandria's Union Station is currently served by two tracks, each with a side platform. In order to access the eastern platform, individuals must use an existing underground pedestrian tunnel, which connects the two platforms or an existing at-grade crossing of the tracks can be used. The existing underground tunnel is not ADA compliant and the at-grade crossing can only be used when directed by an Amtrak employee.
The King Street Metrorail Station was designed with a knock-out panel specifically for a future tunnel connection to Union Station. The knock-out panel is located on the southern portion of the King Street Station.
VRE and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) requested a resolution from the City demonstrating local support for the project. VRE would like to use the motion of support from the City to obtain the remaining $1.3 million needed from either, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), or the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). We believe this will receive NVTA funding but the Authority needs to discuss and vote on the list of proposed projects. City staff believes this project provides important connectivity for Alexandria residents and workers to the regional transit network.
The project scope includes the following:
- Construct an underground pedestrian tunnel connecting the mezzanine of the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station to Alexandria's Union Station;
- Widen the eastern platform to house an elevator to ensure ADA compliance from the proposed tunnel and eliminate the need for the existing at-grade track crossing;
- Allow Amtrak and VRE operations on the east and west platforms for increased flexibility in passenger train operations;
- Allow for the closure of the existing tunnel.
FISCAL IMPACT: VDOT and the VDRPT have taken the lead on this project, helping secure most of the necessary funding through two fund allocations on the project: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Rail Safety Funds (TEA-21 and prior) - $5.8 million and FHWA Rail Crossing Funds (SAFETEA-LU) - $1.67 million. VDOT's Six Year Plan estimates that this covers approximately 75% of the total project cost.
Recently, FHWA has determined that the project does not qualify for 100% reimbursement of the Rail Safety funds, and will need a 10% match for funds on this project. VDOT has identified $1,066,309 in surplus funds from some completed projects that can be transferred to this project, but those funds also require a 10% match. VDOT has also identified the needed match of $185,556 for the $1,670,000 of Rail Crossing funds. The addition of these funds covers approximately 87% of the total project cost; moreover, $1.3 million is still needed to have this project fully funded.
As a result of the passage of HB2313, both the City and VRE are seeking FY2014 regional transportation funding through NVTA, for the remaining $1.3 million in match that is required to fund fully this project. The project which should meet the “regionally significant” requirement of NVTA will not be completely funded if these funds are not received and either the project will have to be scaled down or other funding sources identified.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: - Resolution in Support of the Alexandria Union Station - King Street Metrorail Station Pedestrian Tunnel Project.
Attachment 2: - Map
STAFF:
Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
Jerome Fletcher, Special Assistant to the City Manager
Rich J. Baier, Director, Transportation & Environmental Services
Joel Marcuson, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Marti Reinfeld, Division Chief, Transportation & Environmental Services
Pierre Holloman, Transit Planner, Transportation & Environmental Services
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