transportation alternatives program workshop and public comment

County of Fairfax, Virginia

Transportation Alternatives Program Workshop and Public

Comment

Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation

September 17, 20157:00 PM


Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Overview

TAP was created by the MAP-21 Transportation Bill passed July 2012. The new program includes:

• Most of the eligible activities from the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program

• Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) activities • Recreational Trails Program activities • Planning, design, or construction boulevards and other roadways

largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways (New in MAP-21)

Department of Transportation 2


Eligible Projects1. Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians,

bicyclists , and other non-motorized forms of transportation. 2. Construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will

provide safe routes for non-drivers to access daily needs.3. Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails 4. Construction of turn-outs, overlooks, and viewing areas to promote the scenic and historic

character of local roads. 5. Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising. 6. Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities. 7. Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to improve roadway safety,

prevent against invasive species, and provide erosion control 8. Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project

eligible under this title. 9. Environmental mitigation activity, including prevention and abatement activities to address

storm water management, control, and water pollution related to highway runoff. 10. Wildlife mortality mitigation to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or to restore and

maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats. 11. Safe Routes to Schools Projects



Safe Routes To SchoolsEligible Activities

•Sidewalk improvements •Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements •Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements •On-street bicycle facilities •Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities •Shared-use paths/trails •Secure bicycle parking facilities •Traffic Diversion improvements •Other projects that improve pedestrian/bike safety and access

Ineligible Activities

•Bus stop improvements •Improvements to traffic flow/kiss and ride for motorized vehicles •Others not related to walking or biking



SRTS Additional Requirements

• Principal letter of support • Title-I status • Travel modes • Travel distance • Parent survey • Barriers to walking • Efforts to promote walking/biking to school



State Allocation Formula – FY 15 Example

• FY 15 Total Funding - ~$20.3 million• Recreational Trails receives $1.5 million• $18.8 million balance is split 50/50• $9.4 million is allocated based on population with $5.7 million to

Transportation Management Associations (TMA) and $3.7 million to other areas based on population

• The other $9.4 million is allocated anywhere in the state, Commonwealth Transportation Board(CTB) Policy governs distribution



VDOT FY17 Schedule

• July / August 2015 - Applicant Workshops • November 1, 2015 - Application Deadline • February 2016 – Applications and scores presented to the TMAs and

CTB • April 2016 – Tentative Selections • April / May 2016 – Virginia Department of Transportation’s Six Year

Improvement Plan (SYIP) Public Hearings • June 2016 – Final CTB approval



Selection Process

Statewide Funds (50%) •Will be divided amongst District CTB members for project selections – maximum $1M per member •The Secretary of Transportation and the CTB At-Large members will select projects with any remaining statewide funds (any funds over $9M)

Population Based Funds (50%) •Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) will make selections in the 4 TMAs •CTB At-Large members will select projects based on other population areas funding



FY 2017 Application


Applications are available at:http://www.virginiadot.org/business/prenhancegrants.asp


FY 2016 FINAL ALLOCATIONS

• Cross County Trail Lorton - $258,015• Westbriar Elementary School SRTS - $280,000• Cinderbed Bikeway - $400,000



Status of Current TAP Projects

• Mason Neck Trail• Cross County Trail Lorton Cinderbed Bikeway (FY 2017

Applicant)• Reston Bike Share (FY 2017 Applicant)• Westbriar Elementary School SRTS• Cinderbed Bikeway (FY 2017 Applicant)



FY 2017 Proposed Projects• Cinderbed Bikeway• Reston Bike Share• Vienna Metrorail Bicycle Access

Improvements• Van Dorn Street Bicycle and Pedestrian

Improvements



TAP Q&A Session



Public Input

• Recommendations for Projects• Support or Dissent on Projects• Other Comments on TAP Program



TAP Links• CTB Selection Policy -

http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/resources/2013/july/reso/Resolution_Agenda_Item_2_FY15_TA_Policy.pdf

• VDOT Information - http://www.virginiadot.org/business/prenhancegrants.asp

• Fairfax County Six Year Transportation Priorities - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/cdot/projects/approved.htm

• MWCOG TAP - http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/activities/tlc/tap/default.asp


transportation alternatives program workshop and public comment

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