Regional Transit Extension Studies Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Passenger Rail Task Force Meeting December 17, 2013
Topics Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES) Naval Station Norfolk Transit Extension Study (NSNTES) Peninsula Fixed-Guideway Transit Study Page 2
VIRGINIA BEACH TRANSIT EXTENSION STUDY DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS) Page 3
VBTES Project Description Update Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study The Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES) is examining the best transit options for a former freight rail right of way that runs from Newtown Road to Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach. The study area extends from Newtown Road to the Oceanfront area on 19 th Street. Three Fixed Guideway Alignment Alternatives from Newtown Road 4.8 miles to the Rosemont Area 12.2 miles to the Oceanfront along the NSRR corridor (with Maintenance Facility) 13.5 miles to the Oceanfront through the Hilltop Area (with Maintenance Facility) 4
VBTES Project Description Update DEIS Technology Alternatives Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Light Rail Transit (LRT) 5
VBTES Project Description Update Feeder Bus Routes Page 6
Capital Costs Estimated Capital Costs (YOE 2018)* Newtown Rd to the Rosemont SGA Rosemont Alt 4.8 miles Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront NSRR Alt 12.2 miles Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Hilltop Alt 13.5 miles LRT $ 440 M $ 1,005 M N/A ($ 438-444 M)** ($ 1,001 1,009 M) N/A BRT $ 415 M $ 735 M N/A ($ 411-419 M)** ($ 730 739 M) N/A * Costs averaged to nearest $5 M. ** Range of costs assisted with Town Center Station location alternatives Costs in Development. To Be Available November 2013 Page 7
Operations and Maintenance Costs Estimated Annual O&M Costs Local Share Only Newtown Rd to the Rosemont SGA Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Town Center Alt - 4.8 miles NSRR Alt - 12.2 miles Hilltop Alt - 13.5 miles LRT $ 11.8 M $ 17.9 M $ 18.1 M $ 2.8 M LRT $ 9.0 M Bus $ 8.1 LRT $ 9.8 M Bus $ 8.3 LRT $ 9.8 M Bus BRT $ 9.9 M $ 11.6 M $ 11.9 M $ 0.9 M BRT $ 9.0 M Bus $ 1.8 M BRT $ 9.8 M Bus $ 2.1 M BRT $ 9.8 M Bus Norfolk System Costs = $ 34.5 M Total / $ 14.2 M Local Share (2012) Norfolk Bus Costs = $ 22.8 M Total / $ 8.5 M Local Share (2012) Norfolk LRT Costs = $ 11.7 M Total / $ 5.7 M Local Share (2012) Page 8
Ridership Forecast Average Weekday Boardings (2034) Newtown Rd to the Rosemont SGA Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Town Center Alt - 4.8 miles NSRR Alt - 12.2 miles Hilltop Alt - 13.5 miles LRT BRT Norfolk Only 7,180 Norfolk Only 5,820 3,370 5,295 8,845 Total System 10,550 Norfolk Only 7,535 Total System 12,830 Norfolk Only 7,820 1,980 3,365 5,690 Total System 7,800 Norfolk Only 6,155 Total System 9,520 Norfolk Only 6,245 Total System 16,665 Total System 11,935 Page 9
Ridership Forecast Annualized Boardings with Tourism (2034) Newtown Rd to the Rosemont SGA Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Newtown Rd to the Oceanfront Town Center Alt - 4.8 miles NSRR Alt - 12.2 miles Hilltop Alt - 13.5 miles LRT 3,261,000 4,182,000 5,330,000 BRT 2,623,000 3,580,000 4,348,000 Page 10
VIRGINIA BEACH TRANSIT EXTENSION STUDY TIMELINE / SCHEDULE Page 11
Project Phases Draft Environmental Impact Statement During Final Design Final Environmental Impact Statement / Record of Decision Prior to FFGA Engineering Phase Prior to first construction bid Page 12
Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study VBTES EIS Major Milestones January 14, 2014: VB City Council Briefing on Hilltop Alignment and Property February 2014: Public Meetings on Hilltop Alignment and Property April 2014: Complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and submit to FTA for review July-August 2014: Formal DEIS Public Comment Period and Public Hearings September 2014: Council selects Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and completion of DEIS October 2014: Adoption of the LPA into the LRTP by the TPO Board October 2014: Initiation of Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) March 2016: Completion of EIS and Record of Decision (ROD) 13
Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study FTA New Starts Process (2016 +) Engineering FTA Ranking/Rating Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) Construction System Operation PPEA Public Private Partnership City could choice alternative delivery method still to be identified/defined 14
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK TRANSIT EXTENSION STUDY CORRIDOR PLANNING Page 15
Naval Station Norfolk is Hampton Roads Region s largest employer Source: U.S. Census Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics 16
Current Phase Local Corridor Planning Possible Future Phase FTA Federal New Starts Process o Environmental Impact Statement / Locally Preferred Alternative o Engineering / Permitting o Full Funding Grant Agreement / Construction Alternative Process o Use of other federal funding o Use of all non-federal funding All State and Local Funds o Public-Private Partnership 17
Major Study Milestones Public and Stakeholder Involvement throughout all phases Page 18
Developing the Purpose And Need The Purpose and Need is under development based on an evaluation of existing regional transportation conditions as well as broad public input on local transportation priorities. Current data and input suggests that the Purpose and Need for the project will be to provide improved transit service, possibly in the form of a light rail extension, from The Tide light rail system to, and possibly onto, Naval Station Norfolk. The public has identified needs including to: Develop Transit Connections to Many Points Within Norfolk Relieve Heavy Traffic and Congestion Reduce Travel Time Increase Park and Ride Locations Provide Better Interconnectivity of Transit Modes Consider for Future Light Rail System Expansion 19
Key Points of Interest Identified - So Far 20
Developing Potential Corridors - So Far 21
Naval Station Norfolk Transit Extension Study: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (NSNTES DEIS) Budget Request: $7.7 M The City of Norfolk is completing Local Corridor Planning to determine the Purpose and Need and reasonable corridors for fixed guideway transit service between the Tide Light Rail Service and Naval Station Norfolk. At the completion of the Local Corridor Planning Study, HRT and the City of Norfolk seek to begin a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as required for projects to be potential eligible for Federal Funding. The DEIS will review a reasonable range of corridor and technology alternatives to provide better intra-city connectivity through Norfolk as well as future transit connectivity options to other cities in the Hampton Roads region. Page 22
PENINSULA FIXED-GUIDEWAY TRANSIT STUDY CORRIDOR PLANNING STUDY Page 23
Peninsula Fixed-Guideway Transit Study: Local Corridor Planning Budget Request: $1.9 M Corridor planning is necessary to identify areas in need of high capacity, fixed guideway transit connectivity in Hampton and Newport News Virginia. The study will define areas of high commercial and residential growth and density as well as areas limited by increasing roadway congestion. Options will help define the transit needs and possible alignment and technology solutions on the Peninsula with consideration given to future transit connectivity options to other cities in the Hampton Roads region. Page 24
THANK YOU 25