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Route 1 Multimodal Study Business Leaders Breakfast. Hosted by Senator Toddy Puller and Delegate Scott Surovell. Study Overview. The study analyzes modes of transit on Route 1 from just south of Alexandria City to Route 123 in Woodbridge
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Route 1 Multimodal Study Business Leaders Breakfast Hosted by Senator Toddy Puller and Delegate Scott Surovell
Study Overview The study analyzes modes of transit on Route 1 from just south of Alexandria City to Route 123 in Woodbridge Corridor has a long history of suburban style strip malls, large military installations, tourist attractions, residential uses and commuter travel Looking at roadway improvements, transit alternatives and pedestrian/bicycle options
How Was Study Funded? • Sen. Toddy Puller & Del. Scott Surovell Amendment to 2013 Caboose Budget • Item 441. Department of Rail and Public TransitI. From such funds appropriated for public transportation purposes, there is hereby allocated $2,000,000 in the second year to conduct a transit study along the US Route 1 corridor in Fairfax County that (i) addresses current and projected future traffic deficiencies with a viable long-term transit solution for the corridor, (ii) transforms the area into transit-oriented and transit-supportive mixed use development near stations and stops, (iii) identifies a locally preferred alternative (LPA) that produces the greatest number of new transit riders taking into account cost and impact, and (iv) supports the social and economic renewal of the corridor through public transportation investment, and develop recommendations for a financial plan to implement the LPA. • Study Started July, 2013 • Study Conducted by Department of Rail and Public Transit • Consultant AECOM
Existing Corridor Travel Patterns • Majority of transit users are commuting Downtown using Metro • 86% of corridor transit users are traveling to Arlington or Downtown
Study Goals? • Improve Multimodal Transit Options • Improve Cycling Options • Improve Pedestrian Options • Reduce Congestion • Improve Access for Low Income Population • Increase economic vitality • Improve connectivity to regional centers • Support compact mixed used development • Improve environmental stewardship (energy consumption, stormwater, etc.)
Route 1 Corridor Transit Options Alternative 1: Bus Rapid Transit- Curb • Bus operates in curb, dedicated transit lanes from Huntington to Fort Belvoir • South of Fort Belvoir to Woodbridge, bus operates in mixed traffic Alternative 2: Bus Rapid Transit- Media • Bus operates in the median in dedicated lanes for entire length of corridor and mixed traffic in PWC Alternative 3: Light Rail • Light Rail operates in the median in dedicated lanes for entire corridor Alternative 4: Metro/Bus Rapid Transit Hybrid • Yellow Line extension to Hybla Valley with connecting BRT service to Woodbridge
What We are Hearing from the Community • 80%+ Support Yellow Line Extension • Over 900 have signed Yellow Line Petition • Promote additional mixed use development in station areas • Create new street and sidewalk connections • Improve traffic flow • Sense of urgency for improvements
Why Do We Support the Hybrid Option? • Achieves a Long‐Term Vision. • The redevelopment of the U.S. 1 Corridor has lagged partly due to uncertainty over future transit and land use visions, and lack of funding. • Employment gains at Fort Belvoir coupled with exploding population and jobs in Lorton, have compounded traffic woes, and created increasing traffic pressures on U.S. 1. • Maximizes Redevelopment • The Hybrid Option requires population growth of 96,000 people to meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding criteria. • This would bring significant density changes to the Beacon Hill/Hybla Valley area which would catalyze a substantial redevelopment of the entire corridor, and help to turn U.S. 1 into a net generator of state and county tax revenue instead of a net consumer. • Enhanced bus service or bus rapid transit‐only options will not bring the scale of redevelopment necessary to revitalize the entire corridor. • Most Efficient Use of Taxpayer Dollars • The Hybrid Option’s documented construction + operating costs ($18/rider) are actually less than light rail ($21/rider), only marginally more than a BRT‐only option ($15/rider), and maximizes property tax revenue per square foot of real estate. • Boosts Area Public Schools. • The U.S. 1 Corridor is home to half of Fairfax County’s twelve public schools that are on accreditation warning. • Only a substantial redevelopment, coupled with careful planning and prudent proffer commitments to sustain affordable housing will provide the sustainable school population. • Boosts Tourism • This would also put Metro within 2 miles of the Mt. Vernon Estate – the top historic tourism destination in Virginia which sees over 1 million visitors per year ‐ and BRT 1⁄2 a mile from the U.S. Army Museum.
How Do We Pay For This? • Federal New Starts Grant • Covers up to 50% of Cost • Regional Funding – NVTA • Recently funded with $300 Million/yr. with new tax revenue • State Road Funding • Primary Road Funds for Road Improvements • State Transit Funding • State recently invested $100 million in VA Beach Light Rail • Local (County) Funding • Fairfax County Invested $400 million in Silver Line ($6B) • Public Private Partnership – BRT Piece • Parking Lot Revenues are critical
What Do We Need?Property Owners & Businesses on U.S. 1 to Step Up! • Write Letters to: • Supervisor Hyland • Supervisor McKay • Chairman Bulova • Key Asks for Letters: • Support and vote to endorse the Hybrid Option, including a bus rapid transit system to be started immediately and a two-stop Yellow Line Extension to be constructed after 2025, to be determined to be the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for Fairfax County. • Conduct an out-of-turn Comprehensive Plan Review for the entire U.S. 1 Corridor to create a long-term vision that encompasses this goal. • Support efforts to fund and commence applications for New Starts Grants, environmental analyses, and preliminary engineering for these projects.
More Information Study Website: www.route1multimodalaa.com Senator Toddy PullerP.O. Box 73, Mt. VernonVirginia 22121-0073(703) 765-1150 tpuller@aol.com Delegate Scott Surovell P.O. Box 289 Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 (571) 249-4484 scottsurovell@gmail.com