City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the FY 2026 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Project Funding Request.
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ISSUE: Consideration of the FY 2026 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) project funding request.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the FY 2026 transportation project request as listed in Attachment 1; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply for these grants and enter into any necessary agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia to accept any of these grants.
BACKGROUND: Since 1993, the Commonwealth of Virginia has allocated CMAQ and RSTP funding to the Northern Virginia region. CMAQ funded projects must meet these 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 / transit studies.
City Council annually approves the out-year addition (in this case FY 2026) to its six-year CMAQ/RSTP program.
DISCUSSION: The City’s funding request for FY 2026 of $4.6 million includes the following projects, listed in priority order:
FY 2026 CMAQ / RSTP Proposed Program
1. Smart Mobility Corridor Enhancements $ 3,750,000
2. Transportation Demand Management $ 500,000
3. Capital Bikeshare Replacement Equipment $ 350,000
TOTAL $4,600,000
The City of Alexandria must submit the FY 2026 CMAQ / RSTP funding request to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) by December 13, 2019. A combined table showing CMAQ / RSTP funding for FY 2021 to FY 2025, as well as the FY 2026 proposed funding can be found in Attachment 2.
The Transportation Commission reviewed these recommendations at its meeting on October 16, 2019. Following discussion, the Transportation Commission approved the recommendation for the FY 2026 funding request, as indicated in Attachment 3.
FISCAL IMPACT: Since the Commonwealth of Virginia provides the local match required for CMAQ / RSTP funds, the City is not required to provide any local funds to receive the grants. As projects mature in the annual CIP, staff provide updated estimates of operating impacts from each of these projects.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: FY 2026 Transportation Project Request and Descriptions
Attachment 2: FY 2021 to FY 2025 Approved CMAQ/RSTP and Proposed FY 2026 Programs
Attachment 3: Transportation Commission Endorsement Letter
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, Director, T&ES
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES
Chris Ziemann, Division Chief, Transportation Planning
Tarrence Moorer, Division Chief, Strategic Management Services