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 WMATA shuttle bus network as additional mitigation if state funding to pay for such strategies were to be made available. The City of Alexandria submitted a proposal and cost estimate to DRPT on February 15, 2019. Upon evaluation of the City’s proposal, which included discussions with the City, DRPT secured Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approval of $2,182,960 in State funding for the City’s local mitigation strategies. In order to accept these funds, the City is required to provide $545,740 (20%) in local matching funds for a total grant project cost of $2,728,700.
DRPT approved the following local mitigation strategies to be implemented by the City of Alexandria as eligible for state funding:
Bus Transit strategies
• Supplemental transit service provided by DASH (including additional trips on existing DASH routes, expanded King Street Trolley service hours and temporary express bus services)
• DASH Mobile Ticketing App pilot project
• Purchase/lease of temporary rolling stock of buses
Alternative Transportation strategies
• Fare subsidies for Water Taxi trips from Alexandria to Washington, DC
• Accessibility improvements at temporary bus stops
• Wayfinding signage for pedestrian/bicycle trails
• Capital Bikeshare operations
TDM/Marketing/Outreach strategies
• Vanpool formation events and incentives
• Employer outreach activities
• Public outreach and education activities
• Marketing and promotion of alternative local mitigation strategies
• Deployment of Mobile Commuter Stores
• Deployment of Street Teams
• Membership fee subsidies for temporary shared office space and co-working options
• City staff time in support of TDM/Marketing/Outreach strategies
Highway/Operational Improvements strategies
• Temporary modifications/improvements to City streets (including HOV lane conversions, restriping, turn signals and wayfinding signage)
• Lease of supplemental park and ride spaces
• CCTV equipment, licenses and installation
• Enhanced Alexandria Police Department presence in high traffic/travel volume areas
Mobilization for implementation of the mitigation strategies listed above is underway and the City understands that expenses incurred on the identified mitigation strategies are eligible for reimbursement as of March 21, 2019 should the grant be approved and accepted.
DISCUSSION: City staff developed the proposed mitigation strategies and budget after extensive consultations with residents, businesses, WMATA, and other stakeholders. The plan reflects both strategies that members of the community wish to see, and operational realties that WMATA has presented, including demand for shuttle buses and traffic mitigation.
Attachment 2 summarizes the strategies proposed, and associated costs.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Platform Improvement Project mitigation grant will allow the City to implement its mitigation plan which is budgeted to cost $2,728,700. The State will fund 80% of this cost or $2,182,960 and the City will be responsible for a 20% ($545,740) match. This will be provided from FY 2019 General Fund monies that will be partially expended in FY 2019 and partially expended in FY 2020.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
Attachment 2: Cost Summary for Proposed Mitigation Strategies
STAFF:
Mark B. Jinks, City Manager
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Katye North, Division Chief, T&ES, Mobility Services
Thomas Hamed, Urban Planner II, T&ES, Mobility Services