FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – March 17, 2014 at 7:30 PM – FCDOT, 4050 Legato Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Kevin Morse (Braddock), Mike Champness (Dranesville), Harry Zimmerman (Lee), Micah Himmel (Providence), and Eric Thiel (Springfield).
TAC Members Absent: Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon) and Alan Young (At Large).
Others in Attendance: Calvin Lam and Bob Kuhns (FCDOT).
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes. The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved when a quorum was present.
Note Taker: Jenifer Joy Madden
Main Topics Discussed
I-66 Inside the Beltway – Bob Kuhns (FCDOT)
Bob Kuhns, FCDOT, reports that VDOT proposes tolling I-66 inside the Beltway in both directions during peak periods (the restricted hours will be determined, likely either a 2.5 or 4 hour duration). Cost of implementation would range between $40 and $80 million. The state will be able to implement the improvements without help from private investors. VDOT will manage the tolling and revenue would fund multimodal transportation improvements in the Corridor.
Commissioners discussed how to solve the problem that VDOT can’t toll the Dulles Toll Road Connector onto I-66 inbound.
Tolling facilities are expected to be open by 2017. The tolling includes converting the existing I-66 facility inside the beltway into an Express Lanes facility during peak periods. Lanes remain free to all traffic during off-peak periods and heavy trucks are prohibited.
A TAC member suggested tapering off the tolling window so it is not an instant traffic jam on I-66 when the tolls are lifted after rush hour.
Mr. Kuhns reports that the County has requested that VDOT include a regional trail along I-66 as specified in the County Comprehensive Plan from the Beltway to the Prince William County line. Prince William also reportedly is interested in extending the trail.
Improvements to the Custis Trail could be paid for by the new toll revenue.
Outside the Beltway along the I-66 expansion, almost every bridge will have to be replaced.
The County is already expanding the Park & Ride lot at Stringfellow Road. Park & Ride facilities are also located at the Government Center and Monument Drive. Additional Park & Ride facilities are also planned in Prince William County, These new locations may encourage the slugging culture along I-66 outside the Beltway, as currently exists on I-95.
As for the next step on the I-66 Project Outside the Beltway, NEPA hearings are scheduled for May 27th , May 28th and June 3rd in Fairfax County. The Board of Supervisors is expected to address the draft NEPA documents (released on May 12th) at its June 2nd meeting. The deadline for public comment is June 18, 2015. More information and a comment form is available at www.transform66.org
Commissioners asked about extending Metro outside the Beltway. Mr. Kuhns says the plan is to have Rapid Bus and commuter transit even with managed lanes. What about extending Metro? Virginia has discussed the possibility of a 40 to 50 year agreement as a possibility with a private concessionaire/investor to operate the managed lanes outside the Beltway. This could delay an extension of Metrorail until that time.
The State has estimated that the Outside the Beltway project would cost $2 – 3 billion and about $1 billion might be available through a private sector agreement. One commissioner asked about adding Metro along Route 1 versus along I-66. The current plan is to take high quality bus service down Route 1 to Hybla Valley and add Metro in future years.
Mr. Kuhns will return to TAC in the summer with updates.
Other Business:
Exploring FC policy on general transit feed specification (GTFS) with regard to Fairfax Connector Data on Google MapsNone
Fairfax County is currently reviewing a new partner agreement with Google. A decision is pending from the County Attorney’s office.
Commissioner Himmel reports there are issues with the indemnification clause. Also, Google wants to have any disputes settled in Santa Clara County, California, but the County is governed by Virginia State law.
The County already provides transit schedules in GTFS format to the public. Bing, which has fewer restrictions, uses the data feeds
Commissioner Parnes commented that it would make sense for data to be fed through the MWCOG.
Discussion of the Transportation Design Division (TDD) Monthly Projects Status Report Request
Commissioner Parnes requests that Calvin Lam alert TAC members when the TDD is available online.
Possible Joint Meeting of TAC and Planning Commission
Members of FCDOT staff suggest that TAC should be briefed on their list of topics in advance of the joint meeting. Tom Biesiadny, FCDOT, has marked up the TAC suggested topic list. Mr. Biesiadny will provide his top three recommendations to the TAC on items discussed in the joint meeting to Calvin Lam for distribution. TAC will also review recent action items of the PC Transportation Committee (which hasn’t met since 2010). On a side note: the PC Environmental Committee is reviewing where to locate electric vehicle charging stations.
Summary of the Board of Transportation Meeting of March 17, 2015
Power points of presentations were distributed on paper. Two observations by TAC members: the largest job center in Fairfax County is Fort Belvoir and it’s poorly served by transportation. Also: the Ridership Advisory Committee will be charged with ridership on the Fairfax Connector only and not Metrobus.
Comment and Feedback on Previous Meeting’s Presentations:
Regarding the recent presentation by Stuart Whitaker, the TAC moved to refer his requests to FCDOT transit staff for their response which TAC will then review. A commissioner suggested this item would be a good topic for RAC to consider.
New Business:
Regarding the recently released Strategic Plan to Facilitate the Economic Success of FC, one commissioner expressed concern that the Plan is unlike others that bring all the different agencies together to create a unified action plan. TAC will review the plan at the next meeting about asking for a staff briefing.
Upcoming meetings of interest:
March 25 - NVTA open house on 2 year program
March 28 - League of Women Voters “Crossing Boundaries” transportation forum
Topics for Future Meetings:
Regarding the next joint meeting of TAC and the Trails and Sidewalks Committee, the meeting should concern trail and sidewalk maintenance. Staff should be prepared to review current policy and funding. Representatives from the Department of Public Works and staff from the Health Department should also be invited.
Planned Agenda for Next Meeting
• April 21, 2015: TBD
• May 5, 2015: Joint Meeting with Trails & Sidewalks Committee: I-66 Improvements
• May 19, 2015: Summer Repaving Project/Bike Lanes – Adam Lind (FCDOT)
• June 16, 2015: Richmond Highway Alternatives Analysis Next Steps – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
• July 21, 2015: Route 7 Core Widening – Tad Borkowski, FCDOT)
• August 18, 2015: Herndon Metrorail Station Access Management Study – Kris Morley-Nikfar (FCDOT)
• September 15, 2015: Update on Implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology on Fairfax Connector Buses – Dwayne Pelfrey (FCDOT)
• October 20, 2015: Huntington Area Transportation Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
• November 17, 2015: Proposal for Zoning Ordinance Changes Related to Parking in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas around Metrorail Station – Dan Rathbone (FCDOT)
• December 15, 2015: Countywide Transit Network Study – Tom Burke (FCDOT)
• TBD: 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). Joint meeting date with the Planning Commission’s Transportation Committee will be determined.
• TBD: 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
• TBD: CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
Annoucement: n/a
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned as 10:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events:
May 19, 2015 1:00 pm Board Transportation Committee Meeting
July 14, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
October 13, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
December 1, 2015 10:00 am Board Transportation Committee Meeting
Upcoming Meetings:
May 5, 2015 7:30 pm Joint Meeting with Trails & Sidewalks Committee
May 19, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
June 2, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
June 16, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
July 7, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
July 21, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
August 4, 2015 :30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
August 18, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
September 1, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
September 15, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
October 6, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
October 20, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
November 3, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
November 17, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
December 1, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
December 15, 2015 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)