FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (TAC)
Meeting Summary
Regular Meeting – April 16, 2013 at 7:30 PM – Fairfax County DOT, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax Virginia
TAC Members in Attendance: Chairman Jeff Parnes (Sully), Vice Chairman Jenifer Joy Madden (Hunter Mill), Ed. L. Tennyson (At-Large), Secretary Roger Hoskin (Mason), Frank Cohn (Mt. Vernon), Kevin Morse (Braddcok), Ann Pimley (Fairfax Area Disability Board), Chad Quinn (Dranesville), Eric Thiel (Springfield), and Harry Zimmerman (Lee).
TAC Members Absent: Carrie Nixon (Providence).
Others in Attendance: FCDOT Staff: Mark Canale and Calvin Lam.
Note Taker: Ed Tennyson
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Parnes at 7:35 PM. Meeting notes from March 19th were accepted by acclimation.
Main Topics Discussed
Dulles Rail Silver Line Project Update
Mark Canale of FCDOT provided a comprehensive update on the status of Dulles Rail Silver Line Phase 1 and 2. Phase 1 is at 90% completion and will be in operation by the end of this year. Mr. Canale went over the details of each station. Mr. Canale described the procurement process and the five bid packages for Phase 2. Phase 2 will be completed by 2018.
Commissioner Tennyson objected to the additional $4.5 million each year to extend the Silver Line to Largo, Maryland. He stated that the train crews cannot handle D & G Junction. Tennyson asked why we don't insist that the Blue Line with shorter trains turn back at D & G Junction to save the $4.5 million every year. Mr. Canale said that it is a Metro issue but not a Silver Line issue. Commissioner Tennyson disagreed.
Commissioner Thiel asked a question about the number of parking spaces in Tysons Corner. Mr. Canale replied that the Board directed staff to look at the maximum number of parking spaces, instead of minimum. Private developers will provide about 800 spaces.
Mr. Canale reported there are 7 bus bays at Tyson's Corner Central station. Commissioner Tennyson thought this will cause problems for buses terminating there and some lines should not be cut back. There will be no park-and-ride lots in Tysons Corner. Buses, bicycles and pedestrian access must be provided and used for access to trains in Tysons Corner. Commissioner Tennyson asked that Bus Routes 2-T and 3-T be interlined to avoid either of them laying over at the crowded Tyson's Central Station.
Commissioner Frank Cohn stated that we must have a plan to help to direct first-time riders who will use the Silver Line and bus lines to their destination. Mr. Canale replied that in the first few weeks, there will be an Ambassador program to help people at the stations.
Chairman Parnes expressed concerns about access to the Phase II Innovation Station near highway Route 28. It was pointed out that Fairfax County will own the parking garages at some Silver Line Metro Stations. Garage receipts will pay for them. About 4% of project investment will be furnished by MWAA, almost 5% by Loudoun County, 3% by the Commonwealth, 16% by Fairfax County and 72% by Federal aid and Route 267 highway tolls. The toll portion will drop if Commonwealth aid increases.
Chairman Parnes expressed concern about bus access to Innovation station. Commissioner Tennyson wondered if Innovation is a good location for buses. There will be too few transfer opportunities to other bus lines.
There were lots of questions from the TAC members about the bus service, planning routes, markups/colors of buses.
Other Business
TAC Proposal Submitted to Members of Fairfax County Transit Study
Commissioner Cohn continued to work on his proposed resolution for the Commission to endorse and to be submitted to members of the Fairfax County Transit Study. Commissioner Zimmerman was concerned about telework at home reducing need for rail transit. Commissioner
Tennyson reminded that in the past few years rail transit travel is up but auto travel is down, due to motor fuel prices and more rail transit. However Metrorail is down currently because of a fare increase and Rush Plus cutting Blue Line service at Rosslyn Station.
The feedback discussion involved Commissioner Cohn advising the Beltway has now been (almost) finished at Telegraph Rd. Commissioner Tennyson expressed concern that bus headways to Silver Line stations will not coordinate with Silver Line headways making waiting time too long.
Chairman Parnes expressed interest in the previous $300 million transportation budget shortfall being revised with the additional funding legislated by the General Assembly, but no word yet on that.
Vice Chairman Madden reviewed budget questions for the next General Assembly. How much Commonwealth funding for the Silver Line?
The Commission voted 3 to 2 for Commissioner Cohn's resolution but Chairman Parnes ruled to defer a month for further thought. Chairman Pares asked Commissioner Thiel to work with Commissioner Cohn on this resolution.
The Chairman alerted Commissioners to the May 7th Board Transportation Committee meeting at 12:00pm. Chairman Parnes directed Commissioner Tennyson to send Calvin Lam a verified report on the transit experience data he quoted from memory at the meeting's discussion.
Agenda for the May 21, 2013, meeting
- Countywide Transit Network Study – Tom Burk, FCDOT
TAC agreed to following topics in roughly this order for future meetings:
- June 18, 2013: Field Trip to Express Lanes Operations Facility Center
- July 16, 2013: Recommendations on Parking Requirements in Transit Oriented Development Areas – Dan Rathbone, FCDOT
- Columbia Pike Street Car Line Progress (and additional possible candidates)
- CTB Determination of Corridor of Statewide Importance through Loudoun/Prince William Counties
- Regional Transit System Plan
- Comprehensive Plan 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).
- Board Four-Year Transportation Plan
Announcements:
Meeting Adjourned: at 9:40 p.m.
Upcoming Meetings/Events
May 7, 2013 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
May 7, 2013 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Board Transportation Committee Meeting
May 21, 2013 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)
June 4, 2013 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
June 18, 2013 7:30 pm Field Trip to Express Lanes Operations Facility
June 25, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Board Transportation Committee Meeting
July 2, 2013 7:30 pm TAC Work Session (FCDOT)
July 16, 2013 7:30 pm TAC Regular Meeting (FCDOT)