Central City Line Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Amendment Public Hearing July 24, 2014
Project Description The Central City Line is a High Performance Transit project that will extend from Browne s Addition to Gonzaga University via downtown Spokane and the U District. A Modern Electric Trolley (MET) will be the mode of transport and will connect housing, jobs, retail and entertainment activities in order to: Move more people without more cars Support economic development of the Central City Create synergy among both public and private investments along the corridor 7/25/2014
Mode: Modern Electric Trolley 7/25/2014 4
Project Background In 2011, the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and Spokane City Council adopted Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) resolutions In 2012, the Board approved a contract with CH2M Hill for support in preparing the project for federal Small Starts funding and for design and engineering of the project As part of initiation of 2012 work, the eastern terminal of the line and vehicle technology were identified as two major areas of refinement prior to a federal Small Starts Grant application
Project Definition and Refinement Effort Work Order #2 was authorized in May 2013 to refine the project definition and prepare cost estimates Four meetings of a Core Stakeholders Group from July 2013 thru May 2014 Public Open House in October 2013 to receive feedback on potential extension Focused meetings with major stakeholders, neighborhood organizations, and business associations have been held throughout the effort The project website http://www.stamovingforward.com/routes/central-cityline/ contains all materials prepared to date and an online survey
Major Outcomes of the Project Refinement Process Strong community and technical support for an extension of the corridor to Spokane Community College Improved cost estimates and advancing technology point to new electrification options An amendment to the 2011 LPA was expected to be the final step before requesting entry into Project Development under the Small Starts program
Three-mile corridor 7/25/2014 8
Extension Findings Scores well in relation to LPA Selection Criteria from the 2011 Alternative Analysis process Improves service quality and connectivity among Central City destinations and neighborhoods No technical or environmental fatal flaws The extension improves the competitiveness of a Small Starts application
Essential Characteristics of the CCL Permanence Electrification Vehicle Look and Feel These characteristics are in addition to fundamental High Performance Transit characteristics, including real time information, all-door level boarding, off-board ticketing and frequent, reliable, premium service 7/25/2014 10
Overhead Wire on Full Alignment Range of Electric Propulsion Technologies Overhead Wire with Extended Range Battery Inductive Charging Technology 7/25/2014 11
Design Vehicle: Modern Electric Trolley Tram-like look and feel Clean, quiet, electric propulsion Conductive or Inductive Charging could eliminate overhead wires 7/25/2014 12
Inductive Charging - Examples 7/25/2014 13
Primove (Bombardier) 7/25/2014 14
Conductive Charging Proterra 7/25/2014 15
Inductive Charging Held information workshop with WAVE Technologies in Spokane on June 3, 2014 Discussed operational and inductive infrastructure needs for the Central City Line Obtained technical and cost information for an Inductive Charging vehicle alternative for the Central City Line 7/25/2014 16
Inductive and Conductive Charging Project Benefits Lower capital cost to meet goal of electric propulsion as compared to overhead trolley wire Reduced visual impact as compared to overhead trolley wires Reduced costs and engineering risks for bridges and at-grade rail crossing Recommendation: Investigate other electrification options, including but not limited to, inductive and conductive charging with battery storage for the Central City Line 7/25/2014 17
Other Opportunities to Enhance Value and Maximize Permanence Stations and Amenities Distinctive Running Way Roadway Infrastructure Improvements Streetscape/Bike/Ped Amenities 7/25/2014 18
Key Opportunity Areas Downtown Streetscape U District/ Gonzaga Neighborhood Centers 7/25/2014 19
Reconciling Central City Line Costs Cost Figure Description $36.0 million Early extrapolation of cost/mile for a modern electric trolley line (produced for the CCL Alternatives Analysis) based on the approximate length of the LPA (CH2M HILL 2011) $64.2 million Conceptual Value Engineering (CH2MHill 12/2013) based on actual LPA Corridor condition, stations and vehicle requirements plus industry-standard cost escalators and contingencies $64.4 million Independent Cost Review in 2014 dollars (Hill International 5/2014) Note: Figures above exclude sales tax and escalation 20
Conceptual Engineering Cost Estimates (all figures in millions) Cost Breakdown (FTA Standard Cost Category) 2011 Base LPA: Browne s to Gonzaga Base LPA + SCC Trolley- Overhead Wire Battery Vehicle- Inductive Charging Battery Vehicle- Inductive Charging [A] Total Project Cost - 2014$ $64.35 $48.48 $61.08 [B] 8.7% Sales tax on Construction and vehicles ([A]+ sales tax] [C] Cost estimate with escalation to mid-point of construction Jan 2019 [B + escalation) $69.95 $52.69 $66.39 $75.86 $57.14 $72.00 Cost per Mile $21.7 $16.3 $12.5 Capital Cost Difference Compared to 2011 Base LPA -- -25% -5%
Distribution of Estimated Construction Costs Trolley- Overhead Wire 0.5% Battery Vehicle- Inductive Charging (Base LPA) Battery Vehicle- Inductive Charging (Base LPA+ SCC) 58% 15% 11% 16% 11% 10% 17% 28% 34% 11% 8% 19% 30% 32% Guideway & Track Elements Stations, Stops, Terminals Facilities: Yards, Shops, Buildings Sitework & Special Conditions Systems
Operating Costs Project Option Base LPA with Trolley Overhead Wire $3,110,000 Base LPA with Battery Inductive Charging $3,040,000 Base LPA + SCC with Battery Inductive Charging $4,160,000 Regular Bus service on Base LPA + SCC with Comparable Hours and Service with 40 foot diesel bus Estimated Operating Costs (per year) $3,470,000
Central City Line Key Facts Corridor Length Projected Annual Ridership for Year of Opening 5.75 miles (approximate) 888,000 (subject to further refinement) Cost Estimate* $66,390,000 (2014$) $72,000,000 (Year of Expenditure$) Cost Estimate per Mile* $11.2 million/mile (2014$) $12.5 million/mile (Year of Expenditure$) Estimated Annual Operating Cost $4.16 million The original cost estimate was intended for comparisons between modes and was $12 million per mile for a three-mile alignment or $36 million (2011$) Based on most recent input from federal funding experts and administrators, we are assuming that no more than $15 million of the project cost is borne locally. This is consistent with the original project concept from 2011. *Cost Estimates design, permitting and construction costs and all applicable taxes 7/25/2014 25
Amendment Resolution Amends the alignment to continue beyond Gonzaga to Spokane Community College via Mission Avenue Directs staff to investigate other electric propulsion technology options The amendment does not commit the community to implementation of the project and does not eliminate the option to build the project in increments
Recommendation Adopt, by resolution, the Central City Line Locally Preferred Alternative Amendment.
Public Testimony