City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 17, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support the WMATA Platform Improvement Project Program Project Funding Request. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution to support a grant application to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the WMATA Platform Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) to support the Platform Improvement Project request for a total of $2,728,700 ($2,182,960 State funding/ $545,740 City matching funds) for mitigation of WMATA's closure of all four Metrorail facilities
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply for the $2,182,960 in grant funds and enter into any necessary agreements to accept this grant, and to execute its requirements.
3. Express its thanks to the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for their support in providing funding.
BACKGROUND: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to suspend all Metrorail service south of Reagan National Airport between May 25 and September 2, 2019 to conduct major station repairs and other construction improvements. While WMATA will implement a shuttle bus network during the Metrorail service disruption, additional local strategies above and beyond WMATA's efforts are recommended to further mitigate the effects of the 90 days of lost Metrorail service. Initially, this project was labeled "Metrorail Shutdown" but WMATA is now describing this as a "Platform Improvement Project."
In February 2019, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) solicited funding requests for transportation strategies that local jurisdictions and/or transit providers in Northern Virginia could implement to supplement the planned WMAT...
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