City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: YON LAMBERT, INTERIM DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Funding Request for FY 2029 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Funds. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
ISSUE: Consideration of the FY 2029 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) project funding requests.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the FY 2029 CMAQ/RSTP funding request resolution (Attachment 1) to allow the City Manager to apply for funding and to execute any necessary documentation.
DISCUSSION: 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 2029 CMAQ/RSTP funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) by January 2023. A combined table showing CMAQ/RSTP funding for FY 2024-2028 as well as the FY 2029 proposed funding can be found in Attachment 2. The City’s funding request for FY 2029 is $4.5M and includes the following projects.
FY29 CMAQ/RSTP Proposed Program
|
Project Name |
FY29 |
|
Duke Street Transitway Operations (CMAQ) |
$3,750,000 |
|
Alexandria Mobility Plan |
$750,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$4,500,000 |
Duke Street Transit Operations
The City anticipates enhanced transit operations on Duke Street beginning around FY27. The City began an engagement process in early 2021 followed by the Duke Street in Motion initiative in 2022. Transit improvements are being coordinated with other City projects along the corridor, including the intersection of Duke Street at West Taylor Run Parkway. Regardless of the outcome of the planning process, enhanced transit service will require additional operating funds. To date, the City has received a total of $87 million in NVTA 70% funding for design, right-of-way, construction, and buses for the Duke Street Transitway project.
Proposed Funding: $3,750,000
Alexandria Mobility Plan
In October 2021, City Council adopted the Alexandria Mobility Plan as an update to the 2008 Transportation Master Plan. The City anticipates an effort to reassess and update the Alexandria Mobility Plan beginning in FY29 to ensure that transportation planning in the City reflects changes to the region and transportation trends to continue to serve the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the City.
Proposed Funding: $750,000
The Transportation Commission reviewed these recommendations at its meeting on November 17, 2021. Following discussion, the Transportation Commission approved the recommendation for the FY 2029 funding request, as indicated in Attachment 3.
FISCAL IMPACT: Since the Commonwealth of Virginia provides the local match for both RSTP and CMAQ funds, there will be no fiscal impact to the City from accepting these funds.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: FY 2024 - FY 2028 CMAQ/RSTP Approved and FY 2029 Proposed Funding
Attachment 3: Transportation Commission Endorsement Letter
Attachment 4: Presentation
STAFF:
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Tarrence Moore, Assistant Director, Internal Services, T&ES