FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – April 15, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Edson L. Tennyson (At-Large), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), and Eric Thiel (Springfield).
TAC Members in Abstance: Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Micah Himmel (Providence), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), and Ann Pimley (Fairfax Area Disability Board).
Others in Attendance: FCDOT staff: Calvin Lam, Noelle Dominguez, and Michael Guarino; VDOT Staff: Leonard “Bud” Siegel Jr.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 p.m. The minutes of the March 18, 2013 were unanimously approved.
Note Taker: Roger Hoskin
Main Topics Discussed
Improvements on Route 7
Bud Siegel (VDOT) and Mike Guarino (FCDOT) presented a PowerPoint presentation on the current status and course of Route 7 Corridor improvement projects.
There are three active projects on Route 7: Rolling Holly Dr. to Reston Avenue, major bridge rehab and capacity improvements on the bridge over the Dulles Airport Access and Toll roads, and improvements between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive. The first of these, Rolling Holly Drive to Reston Avenue is began construction in May of last year with substantial completion by November 2014 and final completion in December 2015.
The Rolling Holly Drive to Reston Avenue section is under construction. The section between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive has not begun and is still in the Public Hearing phase. The shortest section is the bridge rehab over the Dulles Toll Road. The bridge rehab is already funded with advances from FY 15 to FY 20 funding. The bridge rehab will be three (3) lanes in each direction with shoulder passes on each side. This project is employing a design/build strategy which will shorten expected delivery time. There will be nine (9) pedestrian crossing points—most will be under passes, exhibits were presented of proposed pedestrian access points.
The TAC members had the following discussion:
• The issue with traffic access to be maintained during construction, Mr. Siegel replied that it would be maintained. The procedure would reduce throughput from normal and traffic patterns would change over the course of construction.
• Questions regarding the safety of the pedestrian passes were raised. The underpasses will have no blind corners and will be lighted.
• There were questions regarding the design and build approach to construction. The bridge project lent itself to that approach while the other two segments did not. The design and build allows the contractor greater leeway in making modification decisions during construction the two other segments will have greater citizen input into the final design and will limit modification.
• There was discussion regarding the Leesburg Pike overpass and the complicated intersection with Jarrett Valley Dr.
2014 Legislative Session Review
Noelle Dominguez of FCDOT provided a review of the numerous transportation related bills that were considered in the 2014 Session of the General Assembly. Most of the legislation introduced would have altered, in some cases, in a material way HB2313, the major transportation bill, passed in the 2013 session. The 2014 session bills were categorized into three groups.
1. Bills Related to Statewide Provisions of HB2313: numerous bills introduced would have altered funding provisions of HB2313. All failed except the repeal of the special hybrid vehicle license tax.
2. Bills Related to Northern Virginia portions of HB23313: several bills introduced would have changed the composition or authority of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). All failed except budget item 427 in HB30. That bill would have required all funded project to be evaluated by the provisions of HB 599 (2012). This budget item was included in the House budget but not the Senate.
3. Transportation Allocation Bills: the principle bill introduced would have required all projects funded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads be prioritized according by those providing the greatest congestion relief relative to cost. A Senate reworked version was passed by both houses. All other bills related to transportation funds were either tabled or left in committee.
Other Bills:
• WMATA Operations: bills introduced at the request of WMATA would have required transit users to produce proof of fare payment. Penalties for failure to comply were reduced from criminal to a civil penalty; the bill passed.
• Dulles Rail: all bills that sought to modify use of funds for Dulles Rail Phase II failed.
• Transportation Safety: bills previously introduced to make cell phone use while driving a primary offense, and to require drivers to stop for pedestrians where speed limits were 35 mph or less. Both bills were favored by County officials and again both failed.
• Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Board: during this session, the General Assembly passed HB 2152 which changed the voting structure of the VRE Operations Board.
• Commonwealth Transportation Board: As in years passed, bills were introduced to change the composition of the CTB Board to more closely reflect populations in the several jurisdictions. All failed.
General Discussion
There was a discussion about endorsing the letter from the Trails and Sidewalks Committee to show support for keeping the Bicycle Coordinator position with FCDOT. TAC members did not get a consensus; therefore, there was no motion on the subject matter.
Topics for Future Meetings:
• May 20, 2014: Comprehensive Transit Plan/Transit Development Plan Update – Randy White, FCDOT
• June 17, 2014: Countywide Transit Network Study and Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis
• July 15, 2014: Wayfinding/Signage – VDOT
• August 19, 2014: Bike Master Plan – Charlie Strunk, FCDOT
• September 16, 2014: CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
• October 21, 2014: Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on what their vision is for future development and any changes in planning and zoning guidelines that may be needed to account for future work environment given the pace and impacts of technology advances (including guest speaker to explain impact of self-driving/smart cars, buses and trucks on traffic, roadways and intersections)
• November 18, 2014: Comprehensive Plan and Transportation staff and Planning Commission discussions with TAC on how planning for areas currently planned for future rail stations reflects the designation of the areas as future rail stations.
Closing and Adjournment
Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned as 10:10 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
May 6, 2014 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
June 10, 2014 3:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
May 6, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
May 20, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
June 3, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
June 17, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
July 1, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
July 15, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
August 5, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
August 19, 2014 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)