Item #17: for Your Information 17A. Transportation
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HRTPO Board Meeting │ January 17, 2013 │ Agenda ITEM #17: FOR YOUR INFORMATION 17A. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: QUARTERLY SNAPSHOT The HRTPO staff monitors the status of all projects in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). On a quarterly basis, staff updates expenditure information on TIP projects and identifies CMAQ and RSTP projects for which progress appears to have stalled. The review is summarized in the attached Quarterly Snapshot, which may also be accessed via www.hrtpotip.org. Attachment 17-A 17B. RECORD OF DECISION ISSUED FOR THE RICHMOND TO HAMPTON ROADS PASSENGER RAIL STUDY In a December 14, 2012 press release (attached), the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) had signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Richmond to Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Study, satisfying the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that considered alternatives for improving rail service between the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions. The issuance of the ROD makes DRPT and FRA eligible to initiate the Tier II NEPA process, which will develop, evaluate, and recommend specific improvements within the corridor that are consistent with the ROD and will achieve the purpose and need of the Tier I level study. To review the Tier I Final EIS, go to: http://rich2hrrail.info/pages/mp_reports.html#Tier. Attachment 17-B 17C. GOVERNOR’S 2012 STATEWIDE CONFERENCE SUMMARY During Governor McDonnell’s annual transportation conference, the Governor addressed Virginia’s transportation challenges and announced a transportation funding package for the upcoming 2013 General Assembly session. Attached is a press release summarizing the steps underway to improve transportation infrastructure in the Commonwealth. Attachment 17-C 17D. U.S. 460 COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT AND FINANCIAL CLOSE Governor McDonnell has announced the Commonwealth has reached a commercial and financial close with U.S. Route 460 Mobility Partners and the Route 460 Funding Corporation of Virginia to finance, design, and build a new 55-mile section of U.S. Route 460. Attached is a press release detailing the key business terms and costs of the project. Attachment 17-D HRTPO Board Meeting │ January 17, 2013 │ Agenda 17E. INTERSTATE 564 INTERMODAL CONNECTOR MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Governor McDonnell has announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the U.S. Navy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will allow work to begin on the I-564 Intermodal Connector on the grounds of Naval Station Norfolk. Attached is a press release providing details of the project. Attachment 17-E 17F. HAMPTON ROADS BRIDGE-TUNNEL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PUBLIC HEARINGS/PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold two public hearings in January 2013 to discuss alternative solutions for the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). As a key component of the study, VDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This document compares the potential environmental impacts of the four alternatives which have been retained for more detailed study. The Draft EIS is currently available for review and comment by the public and regulatory agencies – comments are due by February 13, 2013. Schedule of Public Hearings Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 4-7 p.m. Granby High School 7101 Granby Street Norfolk, VA (Snow date: January 30, 2013) Thursday, January 24, 2013, 4-7 p.m. St. Mary Star of the Sea School 14 N. Willard Avenue Hampton, VA (Snow date: January 31, 2013) Attachment 17-F 17G. HAMPTON ROADS 2034 LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN: MARKETING BROCHURE The HRTPO has developed a marketing brochure to highlight elements from the HRTPO Board approved Hampton Roads 2034 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). This brochure will be used to disseminate information about the 2034 LRTP as well as to enhance public involvement. Handout 17-G INVE$TING YOUR DOLLAR$ IN TRAN$PORTATION What is the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)? The HRTPO TIP is a four-year program for the implementation of surface transportation projects in Hampton Roads. These projects include transit, highway, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and freight-related projects. Before any federally-funded and/or regionally-significant project can be built in Hampton Roads, it must be approved by the HRTPO Board and included in the TIP. What is the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization? The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is a federally mandated transporta- tion policy board comprised of representatives from local, state, and federal governments, transit agen- cies, and other stakeholders. Responsible for transportation planning and programming for the Hampton Roads area, one of the core functions of the HRTPO is the development and maintenance of the Transpor- tation Improvement Program (TIP). How is the TIP created? The TIP is developed by the HRTPO in cooperation with the Virginia Depart- ment of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Trans- portation, and local public transit agencies. In addition, the public is provided opportunities to review and comment at various stages during the development of the TIP. Once the TIP has been approved by the HRTPO Board, it is in- corporated into the statewide TIP, which is submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for approval. How are projects in the TIP funded? Projects in the TIP may be funded by federal, state, local or private funds, or any combination of such funds. Can the TIP be changed? Yes, changes are routinely made to the TIP by way of amendments or administrative modifications. The TIP may be amended in order to add, change, or delete projects. TIP amendments must be approved by the HRTPO Board. The TIP amendment process also includes opportunities for public review and com- ment. By signing up for the HRTPO E-Newsletter, you can ensure that you will be notified of opportunities to comment on TIP amendments. Proposed TIP amendments are also posted on HRTPO website under Public Notices. Administrative modifications involve minor changes to projects that do not involve Board approval or public review. Why is the TIP important to me? There is never enough funding available to make all of the transportation improvements desired, and since the vast majority of transportation funding comes from federal and state taxes, it is important that the public have a say in how and where transportation dollars are spent. The TIP provides that infor- mation for each project, including cost estimates, schedules, funding allocations, and expenditures. The TIP website (www.hrtpotip.org) also includes an interactive mapping tool that allows the user to access project information by location. Attachment 17-A Quarterly Snapshot #3: September-November 2012 Quick Stats Project Highlight: • $50 Million expended on 244 projects Capitol Landing Road Bicycle Improvements • 168 projects with Prelim- The Capitol Landing Road Bicycle inary Engineering (PE) Improvements project (UPC# expenditures 84484) will provide four-foot wide shoulder bike lanes on both sides of • 44 projects with Right- Capitol Landing Road between East of-Way (RW) expendi- Rochambeau Drive and the Queens tures Creek Bridge at the York County/ • 106 projects with Con- Williamsburg line, closing a gap struction (CN) expendi- between existing shoulder bike tures lanes. This will provide a continu- • 10 projects completed ous bicycle route linking the Col- • 15 CMAQ/RSTP projects lege of William and Mary, Colonial were flagged for having no Williamsburg, Bruton High School, expenditures in the past two and Waller Mill Park. The project quarters had its first construction phase expenditures during the past quarter. It is expected that closing the gap in the bikeway system in this area will greatly improve accessibility to park and athletic facilities, thereby reducing auto trips and related vehicular emissions. Expenditures Projects Completed This Quarter During the past quarter, over $50 • Jefferson AvenueWidening in Newport News (UPC# 13429) million dollars was spent on 241 • Western Freeway Interchange Construction at APM/Maersk Terminal in projects in Hampton Roads. A total Portsmouth (UPC# 70552) of more than $15 million was spent • Moore Avenue. RR Crossing Improvements in Suffolk (UPC# 89591) on the following projects: Middle • Pine Street RR Crossing Improvements in Suffolk (UPC# 89593) Ground Boulevard Extension • I-264 /Lynnhaven Interchange Improvements - ARRA in Virginia Beach (UPC# 11816); the widening of (UPC# 94544) Dominion Boulevard/Steel Bridge • North Main Street RR Crossing Improvements in Suffolk (UPC# 93027) (UPC# 56187); and the Route 460 • Volvo Parkway Signal Upgrades - ARRA in Chesapeake (UPC# 95427) Relocation PPTA project (UPC# • Johnstown Road Signal Upgrades at Hanbury Road in Chesapeake 84272). There were 11 other proj- (UPC# 95428) ects across the region with expendi- • Bainbridge Boulevard Signal Upgrades at Freeman Avenue in Chesapeake tures in excess of $1 million. (UPC# 95430) • Liberty Street Signal Upgrade at 22nd Street in Chesapeake (UPC #95431) (PE) $10,551,361 Projects with No Expenditures HRTPO staff identified 15 projects with CMAQ and/or RSTP allocations through FY (CN) 2012 that had no expenditures since June 2012.Out of the 15 projects,