City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 6, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application from DASH and the City of Alexandria for the FY 2022 to FY 2023 I-395/95 Commuter Choice Grant Program. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application from DASH and the City of Alexandria for the
FY 2022 to FY 2023 I-395/95 Commuter Choice Grant Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the resolution (Attachment 1) to support the two I-395/95 Commuter Choice Grant application requests for up to $11 million over two years; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply for these grant funds and enter into any necessary agreements to accept this grant.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the I-395/95 Commuter Choice program is to identify and provide funding support for transportation projects that maximize person throughput in the corridor and improve overall mobility options. The program is managed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), which oversee the distribution of $15 million in annual funding from
I-395/95 Express Lane toll revenues.
For the inaugural FY 2020 to FY 2021 I-395/95 Commuter Choice program, DASH and the City were awarded funding for two bus service enhancement projects: The AT-1 Plus (Van Dorn Metro/Seminary Plaza) and the AT-9 (Mark Center/Potomac Yard). Funding increased the service frequency, increased hours of operation, included specially branded buses and added real-time bus arrival displays. The lines began operating in October 2019.
As a result of the service improvements, pre-pandemic monthly ridership on the AT-1 Plus and AT-9 increased by 25 percent and 45 percent, respectively, during the first five months of service and when compared to the same period in the previous year. By compar...
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