City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2023
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 a Resolution to Support a Funding Request for FY 2030 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and Regional Surface Transportation Program Funds. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Should the City of Alexandria submit projects to the FY 20230 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP)?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the FY 2030 CMAQ/RSTP funding request resolution (Attachment 1) to allow the City Manager to apply for funding and to execute any necessary agreements and other documents.
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.
DISCUSSION: The City of Alexandria must submit the FY 2030 CMAQ/RSTP funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) by January 2024. A combined table showing CMAQ/RSTP funding for FY 2024 to FY 2029 as well as the FY 2030 proposed funding can be found in Attachment 2.
The City’s funding request for FY 2030 is $5M and includes the following projects:
FY30 CMAQ/RSTP Proposed Program
|
Project Name |
FY30 |
|
DASH Technology |
$1,000,000 |
|
Mt. Vernon Avenue North |
$1,000,000 |
|
Multimodal Access Study |
$500,000 |
|
Safe Routes to School |
$1,500,000 |
|
DASH Charging Equipment |
$1,000,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$5,000,000 |
DASH Technology
Like most transit agencies, DASH relies on a Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system to manage its daily fixed-route bus operations. This system allows DASH to monitor its service, communicate with drivers, analyze operational performance metrics, and provide real-time service information to its customers. DASH implemented its current CAD/AVL system in 2015 and the system is now reaching the end of its useful 10-year life span. Since an agency’s CAD/AVL system is vital to its successful daily operations, DASH is seeking to replace and upgrade to a system that incorporates the latest technologies and features.
Proposed Funding: $1,000,000
Mount Vernon Avenue North
The Arlandria Small Area Plan recommended safety improvements to the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and West Glebe Road. Staff has been working with the community over the past two years to develop concept designs for this intersection, and others. Cost estimates for this particular intersection are higher than originally anticipated, and this additional funding will allow the construction of this project to move forward.
Proposed Funding: $1,000,000
Multimodal Access Study
The Landmark/Van Dorn Small Area Plan Update identified the need for a pedestrian and bicycle connections at several locations including a bridge over I-395, bridges over Cameron Run, and connections over the rail tracks and Backlick Run to the Eisenhower Metrorail. This funding will be used for feasibility studies for any or all of these projects to determine more specific locations, costs, and concept designs that can be used to apply for future grant funding.
Proposed Funding: $500,00
Safe Routes to School
The Safe Routes to School Walk Audits identified several recommendations that are capital intensive, such as curb extensions or median improvements. This funding will help implement these safety recommendations, which will be prioritized closer to the time the funding is available.
Proposed Funding: $1,500,000
DASH Charging Equipment
DASH’s goal is to convert 100% of their bus fleet to zero emissions vehicles by 2037. In order to meet this goal, DASH will need to install more charging infrastructure to meet service requirements. This funding will be used for either depot or on-route charging.
Proposed Funding: $1,000,000
The Transportation Commission reviewed these recommendations at its meeting on November 15. Following discussion, the Transportation Commission approved the recommendation for the FY 2030 funding request, as indicated in Attachment 3.
FISCAL IMPACT: 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. While the City is requesting authority to submit applications for up to $5,000,000, the final awarded amount could be less based on available funding from the state. Should this be the case, staff will work with the state to reduce the funding requests to meet the allotted amount the City would be awarded.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: FY 2025 to FY 2029 CMAQ/RSTP Approved and FY 2030 Proposed Funding
Attachment 3: Transportation Commission Endorsement Letter
Attachment 4: Alexandria Transit Company Endorsement Letter
Attachment 5: Presentation
STAFF:
Josh Baker, General Manager, DASH
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Christopher Ziemann, Division Chief, Transportation Planning, T&ES
Tarrence Moore, Assistant Director, Internal Services, T&ES