Sully District Council of Citizen Associations

Presentations of interest to Sully District Council members

At its 20 December 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- Plans for Interim Parking near the Tysons Corner Silver Line Metro stops (PDF PPT)
- Final report presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on the Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study (PDF PPT)
At its 20 December 2011 meeting the Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee (DCAC) was briefed on
- Metrorail Update
- BRT concept for Loudoun
At our 15 December 2011 meeting the SDC was briefed on:
- I-66 Tier 1 EIS by Jaak Pedak of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. On the VDOT website for the I-66 Tier 1 EIS is the presentation provided at the I-66 Tier 1 EIS Participating Agencies meeting which he presented at our meeting.
- Due to a conflict the brief on the I-66 Active Traffic Management (ATM) System was not made. Kamal Suliman of VDOT provided a copy of the presentation he would have made and which we will reschedule.
Delgate Tom Rust and the Herndon Community Association Coalition sponsored on 10 December 2011 a Common Interest Community Seminar on Virginia Legislative Update for 2011
- Agenda
- Presentation
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority hosted a Dulles Toll Road 2011 Public Update in Reston on December 6th to provide information to the public about the Toll Road’s finances, operations and planned improvements.
1. Dulles Corridor Improvements, Dulles Toll Road Operations, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Finance Plan, Toll Rates (PDF, 4MB)
2. Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project (PDF, 2MB)
3. Transit Oriented Development in Tysons Corner (PDF, 4MB)
At its 29 November 2011 meeting the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee was briefed on:
- I-95 HOV/HOT Lanes Project Update PPT PDF Both the letter the Board sent to VDOT with their concerns on the project and VDOT's response are available
- Fairfax Connector Bus Service Plans HOT Lanes and Dulles Rail Phase I PPT PDF
- Potential Use of Virginia Public-Private Act Transportation Legislation To Provide Transportation Facilities in Fairfax County PPT PDF
- Status Report on the Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG) PPT PDF as well as their prioritized recommendations for improvements near the Wiehle Avenue Station.
- Proposed Board Four Year Transportation Plan 2012 to 2015 PPT PDF
On 16 November 2011 the Loudoun county transportation and planning staff briefed the SDC on development in the VA Rt 28, US Rt 50 and Dulles Metrorail corridors (PDF PPT).
At its 15 November 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- Plans for Automated Traffic Management on I66 (PDF)
- Preliminary results from the Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study Report, Sections 6 (Preferences Obtained Through the Public Outreach) and 7 (TMSAMS Advisory Group Recommendations) (PDF)
At its 18 October 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission was briefed on Base Realignment and Closure activities in and near Fairfax County PPT PDF
Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance held its 7th Annual What You Need to Know About Transportation Seminar on September 28, 2011
- Northern Virginia's 2040 Plan by Marty Nohe, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
- Metro's Rebuilding Process by Richard Sarles, General Manager & CEO, WMATA
- What's Happening at VRE by Dale Zehner, CEO, Virginia Railway Express
- New Northern Virginia Highway Projects by Helen Cuervo P.E., District Construction Engineer, VDOT Northern Virginia
- Dulles Rail Construction by Pat Nowakowski, Executive Director, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
- I-95 & I-495 HOT Lanes, Telegraph Road, BRAC by Steve Titunik, Communications Director, VDOT Regional Transportation Projects
- New Mileage Standards Impact on Travel Trends by Erin Morrow, Transportation Engineer, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- What We Also Need to Know About Transportation by Bob Chase, President, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance
At its 20 September 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on the National Capital Region's Transportation Planning Board's Financially Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan by John Swanson, Principal Transportation Planner (PPT) (PDF)
At its 20 September 2011 meeting the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee was briefed on:
- I-95 HOV/HOT Lanes Project Update PPT PDF
- I-95 Transit and Transportation Demand Management PlanSummary of Recommendations PPT PDF
- Updates on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services in Fairfax County and Discussion of Converting the Fairfax County Parkway and Franconia / Springfield Parkway from Secondary Roads to Primary Roads PPT PDF
- Updates on the Traffic Calming Program PPT PDF
- Although a Status Report on the Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG) was on the agenda, it was not presented PPT PDF
At its 16 August 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on HOT lanes plans and progress in the
- I95 corridor (PDF PPT)
- I495 corridor (PDF PPT with pictures PDF PPT)
Every month the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project publishes a newsletter charting each month's progress. The newsletters are available from their website.
DATA and the Mid-Atlantic AAA sponsored a seminar on "Commuting in the 21st Century" on 29 June 2011
- Featured speakers were Alan Pisarski & Robert Thomson ("Dr. Gridlock")
At the 22 June 11 DATA breakfast VDOT and the Loudoun and Prince William counties transportation offices provided status reports:
- VDOT: Northern Virginia Highlights by Garrett Moore,
- Loudoun County: Transportation Roundtable Discussion
- Price William County: Quarterly Transportation Report 2nd Quarter 2011
At its 21 June 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on Transportation Design Standards for Tysons Corner PDF
The Look Forward: Economic Development in the Dulles Corridor - Drivers & Actors
- A DCRA seminar cohosted by the Committee for Dulles was held on May 26 at the Executive Converence and Training Center. Experts provided an update on Loudoun County's planning for rail, new, detailed descriptions of planned projects, and a discussion of the challenges and opportunities that await. Click below to view the presentation slides.
- Planning for Transit Stations in Loudoun County - Julie Pastor
- Economic Impact of Loudoun Co. Transit Station Development - Ben Mays & Len Bogorad
- Route 28 Station - Dulles World Center - Colleen Gillis Snow
- Route 606 Station - International City (traffic map) - Chris Antigone
- Route 606 Station - West Dulles Station - Eric Wells
- Route 772 Station - Moorefield Station - Randy Sutliff
At its 16 May 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- Transportation Services Group Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Outreach PPT PDF.
- Countywide Transit Network Study Draft Scope Of Work Summary PDF
Proposed VDOT FY2012-2017 Six-Year Improvement Program Gains $3 Billion
- At the Commonwealth Transportation Board's April 20th meeting, VDOT's Chief Planning and Programming Officer reported that the proposed FY2012-2017 Draft Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) will have over $3 billion more than the FY2011-2016 program.
- The Highway Program will increase by $2.4 billion, jumping from $5.7 billion to $8.1 billion; the Rail and Public Transportation portion increases from $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion.
- GARVEE Bonds (.5 billion) and Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank Grants/Loans (.3 billion) bring the total to $11.2 billion, an increase of $3.4 billion.
- The gain is a result of the passage of Governor McDonnell's Transportation program which focuses on issuing transportation bonds to jump start Virginia's deflated transportation program.
- The new highway funding will help advance several important Northern Virginia highway projects including I-66 (new lanes from Gainesville to Haymarket), the Route 1/Route 123 Interchange and the Leesburg Bypass/Sycolin Road Interchange.
- Click here to view the CTB presentation.
- While this infusion starts to reverse the recent SYIP trend of shedding projects, for perspective: a decade ago VDOT's FY2002-2007 SYIP was $10.1 billion.
- The Good News: $3 Billion Helps Get the SYIP Back on Track.
- Yet: The SYIP Still Lacks the Long-Term Funding Needed to Build a 21st Century Transportation Network.
Market and Fiscal Impact Analysis of the Phase 2 Metrorail Extension to Loudoun County PDF PPT
- Loudoun County selected Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO). a national real estate advisory firm based in Bethesda) to analyze development and fiscal impact of proposed Phase 2 Metrorail extension
- At their 19 April meeting, Loudoun County's Board of Supervisors received the report which covered:
  - 30-year forecasts of commercial and residential development at countywide, subcounty, and rail station area levels under 2 scenarios:
    - “Baseline” assumes completion of the Phase 1 Extension
    - “Phase 2 Extension” assumes completion of the Phase 2 Extension
  - Fiscal impact analysis of development at each station area and countywide, under each scenario
Increased Federal Funding Not Likely; Regional Network Not Competitive
- In remarks on 13 April 2011 at a seminar sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance to area business leaders and public officials, transportation writer and consultant Alan E. Pisarski opined that federal reauthorization is not only unlikely to increase transportation funding, but an actual reduction of up to 20% is possible.
- Pisarski pointed out that employers will go where the skilled workers are located or want to be, and that the lack of good, time-efficient internal suburban-to-suburban and rural-to-suburban links puts this region at a competitive disadvantage in the long run.
- The potential for a decrease or status quo level of federal funding is particularly bad news for Virginia given the heavy dependence of its highway construction program on federal revenue and the Virginia General Assembly's steadfast refusal to authorize new sustainable funding.
- He also noted that while Arlington County is widely praised in terms of land use and transportation planning, two out of three Arlington residents work outside the county and most Arlington workers are non-county residents. In contrast, over half of Fairfax residents work in Fairfax County.
- Other observations included:
  - While the Obama administration talks regularly about a $500 billion federal transportation program, actual available revenues total only about $240 billion and the administration has not indicated how it would fund the balance.
  - A 2-3 year extension of the current federal program based on available revenues may be the most likely short-term scenario.
  - Carpooling is declining across the nation and region. More than half of carpools are "fampools", consisting of members of the same family.
  - Transit riders and carpoolers share similar circumstances. Thus, when transit ridership mode splits increase, the percentage carpooling generally decreases, and vice versa.
  - The DC area (25%) trails only New York City (38%) in terms of combined percentage of commuters utilizing transit/carpools. (And yet has the nation's worst congestion.)
  - Prince William residents have the longest average commutes in the region, while the average commute for Loudoun residents is less due to the location of more jobs in that county.
  - Commuting continues to decline as a percentage of daily trips, while freight traffic continues to increase dramatically.
- To view Mr. Pisarski's PowerPoint presentation, click here.
On 7 April 2011, Transurban, Fluor and Virginia Megaprojects/VDOT/VDRPT hosted a forum to report on the progress on the Capital Beltway HOT Lanes and the Dulles Corridor Metrorail projects.
- The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance was the sponsor of this event which featured a greeting by Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova, and construction updates on both projects.
- VDRPT Director Thelma Drake briefed attendees on incentives and tools available to help Tysons employer/employees cope with construction-related and future traffic conditions. Virginia Megaprojects Communications Director Steve Titunik provided an overview of the Regional Transportation Management Plan.
- For those keeping score:
  - Beltway HOT Lanes are now 65% complete and looking to open in late 2012.
  - Dulles Corridor Metrorail Phase I is 33% complete and on track to open in 2013.
- The presentations are available here.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) met on 6 April to determine the location of the proposed Dulles Airport Rail station.
- The current proposed alignment, under the parking lot in front of the mail terminal, is estimated to be $600 million more than a proposal that would bring the rail above ground in front of the north parking garage.
- Their staff presented a technical analysis of alternative airports rail alignments PDF
- They heard a brief on the Financial Impact of Alternative Airport Alignments PPT PDF.
- They heard from Mame Reiley, Chair, Dulles Corridor Committee, advocating the current underground alignment PPT PDF.
- The MWAA Board then voted for the underground alignment. Illustrations of the proposed alternatives are in their decision press release.
- Reaction to the decision by elected officials was uniformly negative.
  - Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton wrote expressing the Commonwealth's disappointment with MWAA's decision to advance the tunnel alignment indicating that the decision could add $250 to $300 million to the overall project cost.
  - Tenth District Congressman Wolf reported that "This is bad decision. MWAA had a chance to cut more than $600 million from the project and chose not to. I am disappointed and share the concerns of state and the local partners. Everything possible needs to be done to keep costs down on this project."
  - Fairfax County Board Chairman Bulova indicated that the county expects MWAA to cover the expected cost increase for the underground alignment for the Dulles Station.
At its 5 April 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- Secondary Streets and Completing Functions by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services PPT PDF. County staff furnished excerpts from 2009 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code regarding road widths and emergency vehicle access
- The status of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) traffic amelioration efforts PPT PDF
- The upcoming Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) 6 April meeting to determine the location of the proposed Dulles Airport Rail station. The current proposed alignment, under the parking lot in front of the mail terminal, is estimated to be $600 million more than a proposal that would bring the rail above ground in front of the north parking garage. Fairfax County Board Chairman Sharon Bulova has sent two letters to MWAA from the board, the first, on 25 February 2011, stressed the need to bring the estimate for phase two to as close as possible to the original estimates, while the second, dated 1 April 2001, specifically addressed the alignment choice by indicating that the county was in favor of the above ground alignment to keep costs to a minimum.
NVTA Update on TransAction 2040
- Since the last NVTA meeting was held, the members of the Jurisdiction and Agency Coordinating Committee submitted projects for consideration of inclusion into the TransAction 2040 Plan. The draft list of projects consist of some existing projects that were included in TransAction 2030 but have yet to be implemented, and new projects (i.e. HOT Lanes) that were not identified when TransAction 2030 was developed. The region’s Constrained Long Range Plan (CLRP) which is prepared by the National Capital Transportation Planning Board (TPB) will serve as the baseline for the TransAction 2040 Plan update. Therefore, any projects in the current CLRP will be reflected in the baseline.
- The Authority’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on March 23, 2011. The draft project list was released to the TAC for their review and comment. In addition to the TAC meeting, a kick-off meeting was held with the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee (PCAC) on March 30, 2011. The PCAC was given background on the TransAction 2040 update, informed of their role regarding the plan update, and, per the ‘charge’ of the PCAC, was given the draft list of projects for review and input.
- Other items discussed at both the TAC and PCAC meetings include the revised Public Involvement Plan for the study.
- The consultant team is scheduled to finalize the Prioritization Approach: Objectives, Strategies and Performance Measures and initiate travel demand forecasting on the draft list of projects by the end of this month.
- The draft list of projects available on line. The JACC is also seeking input from the Authority on the project list prior to the initiation of the travel demand modeling for the project.
At the 23 March Sully District Council meeting we heard presentations on:
- Fairfax County FY 2012 Budget
- Redistricting for the Fairfax County magistrate districts for the upcoming 2011 elections PPT PDF
The 4th Circuit of the US court of Appeals reached a decision on 23 March 2011, upholding the lower Court in dismissing all of the claims brought by Chris Walker challenging the Dulles Rail Project.
- That brings to an end the last of the lawsuits challenging one or another aspect of the Dulles Rail Project.
- The Circuit characterized Walker's claims as being "generalized grievances" which did not present a true controversy that the Court could resolve but instead raised policy issues not appropriate for the Court.
- The only claim that they addressed directly was one that alleged that MWAA had violated Virginia's Freedom of Information statute. The Court affirmed the lower Court's conclusion that the Airports Authority, as an independent political body, was not subject to Virginia's FOIA statute.
At the 16 March 2011 Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting, VDOT's Chief Financial Officer, John Lawson, briefed the Board on Governor McDonnell's 2011 transportation plan.

The plan, as approved by the state legislature, authorized the acceleration of the sale of $1.8 billion of Capital Projects Revenue (CPR) bonds over the next three years.
Mr. Lawson described plans to finance the bonds and the Commonwealth's capacity to service the debt.
CPR bond debt service is provided by the Priority Transportation Fund (PTF), which is comprised of a portion of taxes collected on insurance premiums, a portion of the gas tax, and interest earnings.
Between FY 2011 and FY 2017, annual PTF funds available for debt service are estimated to average $225 million.
Over the same period, average PTF debt service is estimated to be $176 million.
Click here to view Mr. Lawson's presentation to the CTB, .
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) met on 16 March to consider funding constraints on Phase 2 of the Dulles Rail project. They discussed:
- Independent Advisory Panel Presentation Phase 2 Dulles Alternatives PDF PPT
- Contract Packaging Options for Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
- Recommendation on Alternative Airport Alignments at Dulles International.
On 16 March 2011 Mark Tipton, the fairfaxfederation representative to the Trails and Sidewalks Committee, provided:
- the Transportation Projects Status Report for February regarding roads, sidewalks, trails, and bus shelters
- FC Park Authority presentation of current and planned trail improvements. Most of the trail projects are already funded from park bonds, federal funds, etc. and some are under construction. However, a few of the projects are not yet funded, or need neighborhood support to proceed.
At the 16 March 10 DATA breakfast Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) President Patty Nicoson presented Ten Things Every Business Needs to Know about Dulles Rail PPT (30.5MB) pdf (9.2MB)
At its 15 March 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- The Safe Route to School Program by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association PPT PDF
- The status of its ongoing Common Sense Initiative of Expediting Bus Stops Improvements
- What actions the state legislature took in response to the governor's transportation plan.
- What actions the state legislature took in response to Transportation Bills introduced during the session.
- Fairfax County Board Of Supervisors’ 2011 General Assembly Final Legislative Report.
From the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee meeting on 1 March 2011 the following presentations may be of interest:
- VDOT briefed on the I95 HOT Lanes proposal PDF
- The Staff briefed on their study on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services PPT PDF
- The Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission, acting as a Citizens Review Committee, summarized their review on the Staff's proposal on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services PPT PDF
- The TAC provided individual members comments on the Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services in Fairfax County Study
- FDOT briefed on Proposed Transportation Funding Policy Changes PPT PDF
From the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee meeting on 1 February 2011 the following presentations may be of interest:
- VDOT and the Federal Highway Administration gave a joint presentation on the status of BRAC transportation Improvements PDF
- VDOT then briefed on BRAC Successes and Remaining Issues PDF
- Gina Arlotto, of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, briefed on the Safe Routes to School program in Fairfax CountyPDF
At its 4 January 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) received an update on the I-495 HOT Lanes Project PDF PPT
Joe Sanchirico, Ecologist on the staff of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services briefed the Sully District Council at its 15 December meeting on Watershed Management PDF PDF with Notes PPT
FCDOT briefed the Fairfax Federation at its 18 November 2010 membership meeting on the Tysons Corner Bicycle Master Plan
Transportation Advisory Commission Briefings presented on 16 November 2010
- Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Status Update PPT PDF
- Update on Study on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services PPT PDF
- Tysons Corner Bicycle Master Plan PPT PDF
TDM Proffer Study presented to the Planning Commission Transportation 20 October 2010 PPT PDF PDF with Notes
Columbia Pike Transit Initiative Community Coordination Committee 7 October Meeting
Transportation Advisory Commission Briefings presented on 5 October 2010
- Base Realignment and Closure process status PPT PDF
- Update on Transportation Funding and Improving Roadway Services Delivery Study PPT PDF
- Transportation Bond Referendum Explanation RTF PDF
- Governor’s VDOT Performance Audit
The reports presented at the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance 6th Annual What You Need to Know About Transportation Seminar on 20 September 2010 are available online. Topics presented include:
- The State of Transportation in Virginia, Sean Connaughton, Virginia Secretary of Transportation
- I-66: A New Look, Chris Collins, Location Study Program Manager, VDOT
- Are We Ready for BRAC Traffic? Tom Fahrney, Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) Coordinator, VDOT
- Major Highway Construction Update, Helen Cuervo P.E., Acting Northern Virginia District Construction Engineer, VDOT
- What's Next on Capital Beltway HOT Lanes? Steve Titunik, Communications Director, Virginia Megaprojects, VDOT
- VRE: Progress Made and What's Ahead on the Tracks, Dale Zehner, CEO, Virginia Railway Express
- Dulles Rail Construction: Where's It Headed? Pat Nowakowski, Executive Director, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
- Rebuilding Metro's Foundation, Richard Sarles, Interim General Manager, WMATA
- The WMATA Governance Task Force, Jim Dinegar, President and CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade
A Public Information Workshop on Proposed Designs to Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project was held on 13 September 2010. The proposed design is available online.
From the Board of Supervisors Transportation Subcommittee meeting on 20 July 2010 the following presentations may be of interest:
- VDOT briefed on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Successes and Remaining Issues PPT PDF
- FHWA briefed on their efforts building the last leg of the Fairfax County Parkway PPT PDF
- Virginia DRPT briefed on their I-66 Transit Transportation Demand Management Study PPT PDF
- FDOT briefed on their Residential Traffic Administration Program Traffic Calming PPT PDF
  FDOT provided a letter which basically says that after the current funding is exhausted the Commonwealth has provided no additional funding PDF
At the 23 June 10 DATA breakfast the Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties transportation offices provided status reports:
- Fairfax provided an verbal report
- Loudoun: pdf ppt
- Price William: pdf ppt
At its 4 May 2010 Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) meeting it received the following presentations
- Fairfax County's TDM Proffer Study Project Update: PDF PPT
- Fairfax County's Transportation Funding and Roadway Service Delivery Study: PDF PPT
  As part of the TAC's review of this study we had raised some questions, and the staff thought it needed clarification before it answer some of our queries. This Excel worksheet was prepared by the staff so we could provide additional guidance before it could respond to our questions.
At its 2 March 2010 Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) meeting it received an update on the I-495 HOT Lanes Project PDF PPT
In mid February 2010 the Fairfax County Department of Transportation prepared Project Summary Reports by District:
Braddock Dranesville Hunter Mill Lee Mason Mt Vernon Providence Springfield Sully
Both the Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee and the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) met on 16 February 2010. The following documents may be of interest:
- Transforming Tyson's: Overview of the Transportation Section of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, 3rd Draft PDF
- Tyson's Connector - Lunchtime free bus service in Tyson's Corner: Update on Operations since Nov. 23, 2009 PDF
- Citizen’s Task Force: Study of Financial, Legal & Legislative Issues Associated with Improving Roadway Service Delivery PPT PDF
- Northern Virginia Transportation Authority 2010 Legislative Program DOC PDF
- 2010 General Assembly Session Transportation Funding/Allocation Bills XLS PDF
The Planning Commissions Tyson's Corner Committee met on 28 October 09. They were briefed on the transportation infrastructure costs to support the "Transforming Tyson's" Study. Below are two documents that were handed out at the meeting:
- A table, "Order of Magnitude Planning Level Cost Estimates..."
- The PowerPoint presentation that was made.
After the Washington Post ran an article on the presentations , Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Bulova commented on the presentation
The BOS Transportation Subcommittee met on 20 October 09. They were briefed on:
- Revisions to the Commercial Parking Restriction Program PDF PPT
- Tyson's Corner Projects and Transit Phases PDF PPT
- Roadway Services Study Presentation PDF PPT
- Roadway Services Study Scope of Work PDF DOC
- Regional Bus Rapid Transit PDF PPT
Jeff Parnes, the Sully Transportation Advisory Commissioner, attended the The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance 5th Annual What You Need to Know About Transportation's Seminar and Reception on 9 September 2009.
The presentations are available from their website:
- What's Next in the I-66 Corridor and Virginia's Transportation Funding Crisis Update by Virginia Transportation Secretary, Pierce R. Homer
- Meeting Metro's Maintenance Challenges by WMATA Director of Long Range Planning, Tom Harrington
- VRE to Gainesville/Haymarket by Virginia Railway Express CEO, Dale Zehner
- I-95 Corridor Update (HOT Lanes, Fourth Lane, Telegraph Road Interchange), Fairfax County Parkway by VDOT Regional Transportation Director, Ronaldo Nicholson, P.E.
- Status of Major Stimulus and Other Key Transportation Projects by VDOT Chief Construction Engineer, John D. Lynch, P.E.
- Phase II Dulles Rail Commercial Tax District Update by Western Alliance for Rail to Dulles Legal Counsel, C. Lee Fifer
- Surface Transportation Inaccessibility Threatens Dulles Airport's Economic Potential by Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance President, Bob Chase
The BOS Transportation Subcommittee met on 15 June 09. They were briefed on:
- Transportation Funding
- Tyson's Corner Projects and Transit Phases
- Possible Residential Parking Restrictions
- I-395 and I-495 HOT Lanes projects (with a discussion of Bus Rapid Transit)
- The proposed Dulles Loop
"We are approaching a cliff."
- Speaking at a meeting of business leaders and state and local elected officials the morning of 3 Jun 09, Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer outlined the dire fiscal condition of Virginia's transportation program.
  "We are approaching a cliff," the Secretary said. "If we don't act quickly (to address the transportation funding crisis), Virginia's prosperity will go elsewhere."
- Core Transportation Functions at Risk
  - No state funds to match federal funds (meaning Virginia loses federal money).
  - No state funds for transportation improvements to attract major employers (meaning jobs will locate elsewhere).
  - No state or federal dollars for road and transit improvements to reduce congestion (meaning congestion continues to get worse).
  - No state funds to attract public private transportation partnerships (meaning private sector transportation dollars go elsewhere).
- Other topics covered in the Secretary's presentation include:
  - Virginia's allocation of federal transportation stimulus funds.
  - Major rail and transit investments.
  - $9 billion in Public Private Partnerships.
  - The shrinking Six-Year Program (from $11.5 billion to $7.4 billion in two years).
  - Soon-to-be enacted VDOT construction, personnel and service cuts.
- To view Secretary Homer's presentation, click here.
May 09 Membership Presentation on Cool Counties and Cool Neighborhoods initiatives
- Cool Counties and Cool Neighborhoods initiatives by the Cool Counties Working Group presented by Rekha Nadkarni and Linda Burchfiel of the Great Falls Chapter of the Sierra Club, Citizens Advisory Cool Counties Committee, Fairfax County
  - For more information on Cool Counties
  - For more information on Cool Neighborhoods The Sierra Club of Fairfax and Fairfax County Government are sponsoring the cool countries program. The purpose is to reduce carbon emissions by two percent every year in Fairfax County. Part of the Cool Neighborhoods program is encouraging and educating residents on carbon reductions and cost-savings programs in their homes. The government is not providing tax credits to homeowners at this time.
    If you are interested in their presentation:
    - Cool Neighborhoods it's available in PDF and PowerPoint formats.
    - Here are their Cool Counties Flyer and their Cool Counties Calculator
- Transportation Advisory Commission Meeting on 7 Apr 09 covered the status of the HOT Lanes upgrades to:
  - Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project - PPT - PDF
  - 395/95 HOT Lanes - PPT - PDF
- The VA Secretary of Transportation, Pierce Homer, sent a 6 Apr 09 letter to the VA Senate and House Appropriations and Transportation Chairs containing "a prioritized and comprehensive listing of transportation projects that would be ready to be advertised if funding were to become available in the federal stimulus package, regardless of whether or not final criteria have been released." The letter contains the following attachments:
  1. summarizes Recovery Act aviation funding to Virginia. These projects were directly selected by the Federal Aviation Administration.
  2. summarizes Recovery Act public transportation funding to major transit properties in Virginia. These projects were directly selected by the individual transit commissions,
  3. summarizes possible Recovery Act public transportation funding to rural and small urban transit properties in Virginia. Final project decisions will be made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in response to individual grant requests from transit operators.
  4. summarizes possible Recovery Act enhancement funding in Virginia. This is a mandatory requirement of the Recovery Act. and final project decisions will be made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
  5. summarizes mandatory Recovery Act funding distributions in Virginia. In the five urbanized areas in Virginia with populations greater than 200.000 the Metropolitan Planning Organizations will make project decisions totaling approximately $1,178 million. In addition. the Commonwealth Transportation Board will make approximately $90.5 million in project decisions in urbanized areas with populations less than 200.000. In all cases, the individual Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Commonwealth Transportation Board must concur in the final project selection.
  6. summarizes proposed Recovery Act funding for 119 small. structurally deficient bridges in Virginia. These projects were developed based on the quantitative deficiency rating of the bridge as well as a finding that all permits. rights-of-way. and utility issues could be resolved within the requisite time frame. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has the final jurisdiction over these projects and will consider them at its April 16 meeting.
  7. summarizes proposed Recovery Act funding for approximately 430 lane miles of interstate and primary highway paving. These projects were developed based on the quantitative deficiency rating of the pavement as well as a finding that all permits. rights-of-way, and utility issues could be resolved within the requisite time frame. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has the final jurisdiction over these projects and will consider them at its April 16 meeting.
  8. summarizes possible Recovery Act funding to serve up to five military installations undergoing substantial employment growth under the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act. These projects are being developed based on the need to serve the nearly 25.000 Department of Defense employees at new locations within the Commonwealth. Discussions and evaluations of these projects are ongoing with the Department of Defense and the affected localities and metropolitan planning organizations. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has the final jurisdiction over these projects and may consider some or all at its April 16 meeting.
  9. summarizes possible Recovery Act funding to serve freight and passenger rail needs in the Heartland, 1-95 and 1-81/Rt. 29 corridors. These projects could he included by flexing Recovery Act highway funds into freight and passenger rail projects. These projects are being developed in accordance with the adopted statewide rail plan and previous policy guidance from the General Assembly and Congress. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has the final jurisdiction over these projects and may consider some or all at its April 16 meeting.
  10. summarizes possible candidate highway projects for Recovery Act funding. These candidate projects include additional paving. bridge repair, congestion relief. and economic development projects. These projects are being developed in consultation with the Congressional Delegation. the General Assembly (through the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability). the affected localities and metropolitan planning organizations, the highway construction industry and the Federal highway Administration. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has the final jurisdiction over these projects and may consider some or all at its April 16 meeting.
- Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee Meeting on 6 Mar 09 covered four items of interest:
  - Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project - PPT - PDF
  - 395/95 HOT Lanes - PPT - PDF
  - Residential Parking Restrictions - PPT - PDF
  - Dulles Rail Finances - PPT - PDF
- Fairfax County Public School FY2010 Advertised Presentation with Updated County Budget dated 25 February 2009 presented by Sally Quinn to the Sully District Council
- Federal Stimulus Bill Summary of Authorized Transportation Funding Presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board made by Mary Lynn Tischer, PhD
  - On February 17th President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the Stimulus Bill. As part of the unprecedented $787 billion package, $47.9 billion (6%) will be used for transportation investments around the country.
  - Virginia Will Receive More Than 800 Million Federal Transportation Stimulus Dollars.
  - Funding Breakdown:
    - Highways: $27.5 billion
    - Public Transportation: $8.4 billion
    - High Speed Rail: $8 billion
    - Aviation: $1.3 billion
    - Grant Program: $1.5 billion
  - The funding will be issued to individual states with considerable federal oversight and multiple layers of stipulations/requirements.
  - Highway funding will be allocated through the following formula:
    - Distribution formula:
      - 50% issued through State Transportation Program Formula + 25% lanes miles, 40% vehicle miles traveled, 35% tax payments
      - 50% overall share of funding in 2008 (obligation limitation)
      - Funds apportioned within 21 days
    - Priority to projects:
      - That will be completed within 3 years
      - Are in economically distressed areas
        
        Per capita income is 80% of national average
        Unemployment rate is at 1% higher than national average
        Secretary of Transportation determines it is or will be an economic special need
  - This presentation given to the Commonwealth Transportation Board contains a more detailed summary of terms and provisions for highways, rail, transit, ports and aviation.
- Bus Stop Improvement Program Paul Mounier, Bus Stop Coordinator, FC Department of Transportation, made this presentation to Transportation Advisory Commission on 6 Jan 09 PDF.PPT.
- Greater Washington 2050 Initiative John A. Mataya, Regional Planner, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, made this presentation to Transportation Advisory Commission on 6 Jan 09 and a similar presentation to the Fairfax Federation in December PDF.PDF with Notes PPT.
- Fairfax County Department of Planning & Zoning held a meeting on 24 June 2008 to discuss Residential Compatibility. They made a presentation on angle of bulk plane.
  Jim Hart had the following comments on the presentation:
  - Staff made a presentation with illustrations. There was a lively discussion about using angle of bulk plane for side [not front] yards, starting 5' above grade at the average point, different angles for different residential districts. It requires some concentration to understand how the principle works in 3 dimensions, if folks are unfamiliar with the concept. The powerpoint illustrates what can and cannot be done with different angles.
  - There was a mix of opinions, across the board, some sharp disagreement in the audience [in both directions], although I think there is going to be support for staff's approach. It may be hard to get a consensus among all the interested parties, both as to whether the approach is either too severe and expensive or too lenient, and there is some obvious disagreement about whether there even is a crisis or not. There also is some need to have a relief valve for case by case review of exceptions to the rule, probably going to be an SP or possibly SE.
  - Depending on the angle, and I am oversimplifying somewhat, staff's approach seems to limit what can be done by right, above the 2nd floor ceiling level approximately, near the sides of big houses on narrow lots [the house can still be 35' at the midpoint of the roof, which will be easier towards the center of the lot]. You probably have to see the illustrations [my (pre-computer technology) undergraduate degree is in architecture, and still it takes me a little while to get a feel for how it works on each house/lot]. Staff is still looking at the complex impact of this approach on sloping lots and walkout basements, as well as a number of other questions raised at the meeting. I believe staff can answer specific questions if you have them, Jack Reale is going to be staff coordinator I believe.
  - Staff is going back to the Board before authorization and something is likely coming back for public hearing probably in Fall 08, probably with a redefinition of "grade" in residential being something like the lower of the existing or post-development condition, coupled with some range of angle of bulk plane for side yards in residential.
  - There is another related project ongoing for lot coverage but staff is still working on that and it wont come up at the same time. It may difficult to decide what counts towards coverage or not [Arlington counts front porches and garages differently; do you include patios, sheds, walkways, etc] That issue is not part of the ZOA coming up this fall, but is going to be separate.
- From the 23 April 08 DATA meeting:
  - Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project
- From the March 08 SDC meeting:
  - Brian Heffern, Senior Budget Analyst, Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget, briefed the Fairfax County FY 09 Budget. Fairfax County is facing $120 million in cuts compared to the FY08 budget
- From the February 08 SDC meeting:
  - Deirdra McLaughlin, Assistant Supt for Financial Services, FCPS, briefed the Fairfax County Public Schools FY 09 Budget. Fairfax County Public Schools are facing a possible $100 million dollar shortfall.
  - Kay Hellenbrand Rutledge, P.E., Manager, Land Acquisition and Management Branch, Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, spoke to the acquisition via condemnation of the Stoup property planned by the Park Authority. PPT PDF
- From the February 08 Transportation Advisory Commission meeting:
  - Fairfax County Department of Transportation briefed the Service Plan for the Metrobus 12/20/2W Transition PPT PDF
- Katharine D. Ichter, Director, Fairfax County DOT, provided an update to the Transportation Advisory Commission on 4 September 2007
  - NVTA funds
    - Interchange at Fairfax County Parkway and Fair Lakes parkway and Monument Drive
    - Bull Run Post Office Rd improvements in Loudoun County
  - Fairfax County Bond referendum (if passed this November)
    - Stringfellow Rd widened to 4 lanes (provides final funding)
    - Poplar Tree Rd widened to 4 Lanes from Sequoia Farms Dr to Sully Station Dr
    - Rt 29 widened to 6 lanes for 3 miles west of Fairfax City
    - Shirley Gate Road create northbound turn lane to Rt 29
    - Fairfax County Parkway create continuous 3rd lane southbound from Rt 29 to Braddock Rd.
    - Stringfellow Rd Park & Ride and bus transfer site improvements (double parking spaces)
    - Pedestrian Bridge on west side of Ashburton Ave over Cedar Run
    - Sidewalk on Rt 50 south side from Fair Ridge Dr East to Fair Oaks Police / Fire Station.
  - Rt 28 Public/Private Partnership
    - Rt 28 / Willard Rd overpass (ground breaking 1st week in Sept)
    - Rt 28 / Frying Pan Rd (ground breaking in Nov)
- The Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) and the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) sponsored a Project Update Seminar on Dulles Metrorail on 25 July 2007.
  - Construction: What, Where, and When presented by Sam Carnaggio, Project Director, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
  - How We Work Together to Manage Traffic presented by Gus Robey & Marcia McAllister, DRPT (with notes)
  - Planning for Tyson's Future presented by George Barker, Vice Chairman, Tyson's Corner Land Use Task Force
- Providence District Public Outreach to Help Plan the Future of Tyson's Corner hosted by Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth & The Tyson's Land Use Task Force on 18 July 2007
  - In their ongoing effort to integrate community input into the Tyson's Planning process, the Tyson's Land Use Task Force and Supervisor Linda Smyth co-sponsored a public outreach meeting. The Tyson's Land Use Task Force and the team of consultants working on planning the future of Tyson's have developed plan scenarios to test potential future growth in Tyson's. These test scenarios, which were shaped by public input provided during the March 2007 workshops, look at different ways of integrating four planned Metrorail stations into Tyson's Corner.
  - The test scenarios are not actual choices for the future of Tyson's. They are designed to test how different planning approaches could work. These test scenarios are being evaluated to gauge how well they address the Task Force’s Guiding Planning Principles, transportation needs and the quality of life in Tyson's Corner.
  - Here are the Tyson's Corner Land Use Task Force Workshop Introduction and Presentation handouts.
- The 27th Green Breakfast held on Saturday, July 14 covered Land Conservation - A Win-Win Program. Whit Field, Vice President and General Counsel, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) discussed conservation easements
- HB 3202 Regional Funding Public Hearing was held by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority on 12 July 2007.
  - The purpose was "to consider enacting the seven taxes and fees authorized by the General Assembly in HB3202, as well as an initial set of projects and an associated bond issue." This is the NVTA's presentation
  - After its meeting the Authority approved new taxes and fees (from the Chantilly Times 17 July 07 edition) Northern Virginia has new taxes that will pay for its roads after a pivotal vote last Thursday night.
  - Implications to Fairfax County of the NVTA's actions were briefed to the Transportation Advisory Commission on 17 July.
- At the 27 June 2007 SDC meeting, Michael Cooper of MWAA spoke about current development in and around Washington Dulles Airport
- At DATA's Annual Transportation Roundtable (20 June 2007), Kathy Ichter, head of Fairfax County's Department of Transportation, gave the Fairfax County Perspective
- At the 4 June 2007 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Rick Steven of the Fairfax County Office of Transportation presented the status of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Extension to Wiehle Avenue.
- At the Green Breakfast on 5 May 2007, Dr. Judy Okay (Riparian Specialist with the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program in Annapolis) presented the status of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup
- DATA cosponsored, with DCRA (Dulles Corridor Rail Association) another seminar on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) on 24 October 2006. These presentations are available in either PDF or PPT formats:
  - TOD and Metro: Roles for Transit, Citizens and Local Government, Nat Bottigheimer, Director, Office of Planning and Project Development, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority PDF PPT
  - What if the Region Grows Differently, Looking at the Alternative Scenarios for the Washington Region, Ronald Kirby, Director of Transportation, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments PDF PPT
- At the Fairfax County Board Of Supervisors Transportation Subcommittee meeting on 16 October 2006 the following presentations were made:
  - Project Update on Rail to Dulles by Corey W. Hill, Director, Administration and Capital Projects, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation PDF or PPT
  - HOT Lanes (I-95 / I-395 & Beltway)
  - Hunter Mill Traffic Calming
  - 2007 Transportation Bond Package
- On 26 September 2006 VDOT presented a follow-up briefing on its plans to make safety and traffic flow improvements to the Rt 28/Braddock Rd/Walney Road interchange
- On 22 June 2006 DATA conducted its annual County Round table
  - Fairfax County presented by Tom Biesiadny, Chief, Coordination Funding Division, Fairfax County DOT
  - Prince William County
- On April 26 and 29, twenty community activists from across the region participated in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Transportation Planning Board's (TPB) first Community Leadership Institute. Jeff Parnes, the Sully Transportation Advisory Commissioner, was one of the attendees.
  - At this two-day pilot workshop, community leaders discussed how they can get involved more effectively in transportation decision making. Former TPB Chairman Peter Shapiro facilitated the discussions. Mr. Shapiro is currently a senior fellow at the University of Maryland&';s Burns Academy of Leadership.
  - The participants represented organizations that have been recognized as forces for change in their communities, including leaders of civic groups, homeowners associations, business organizations and local citizen advisory boards.
  - Agenda
  - Participant List
  - Click here to view Institute presentations:
  If your organization is interested in learning more about the MWCOG TPB, the CLRP or the TIP, please contact Jeff Parnes.
- On 9 April 2006 significant changes were approved for the 2006 Constrained Long-Range Plan (CLRP) and FY 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): In Virginia VA Rt 28 will be upgraded at I-66 Interchange
  - Between VA 28/I-66 interchange and Braddock/Walney Roads eliminate turn movements and implement signal timing/phasing changes near the interchange of VA 28 and I-66 at three locations:
    1. VA28 and Braddock/Walney Road: Eliminate through and left turn movement from eastbound Braddock Road and from westbound Walney Road. Also eliminate left turn movements from southbound VA 28. The affected movements will be redirected towards the recently completed, grade separated interchange at VA 28 and Westfields Boulevard.
    2. VA 28 and ramps to westbound I-66: Eliminate left turn movements from northbound VA 28 to westbound I-66. The affected movements will be redirected to the VA 28 and VA 29 interchange.
    3. VA 28 and ramps from eastbound I-66: Eliminate left turn movements from eastbound I-66 off-ramp to southbound VA 28. The affected movements will be redirected to the I-66 and VA 29 interchange.
  - Length: Operational improvements within a half-mile area
  - Complete: 2008
  - Cost: $750,000
  - Funding: Federal, state, local, private and bonds
- TransAction 2030 Plan Study
  - In 2002, the Virginia General Assembly created the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and charged it with developing a long-range regional transportation plan for Northern Virginia. NVTA recommends to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) which transportation projects should receive funding. This study effort, TransAction 2030, was initiated in the fall of 2004.
  - The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) was chosen to administer the contract for the NVTA. A Subcommittee of the NVTA Interim Technical Committee was formed to monitor and guide the study process. This Subcommittee was comprised of staff representing Northern Virginia jurisdictions and regional transportation agencies operating in Northern Virginia. The Subcommittee convened regularly throughout the study and reviewed technical material, provided direction to the consultant team and reported back to their respective agencies.
  - The TransAction 2030 study effort used as a basis the Northern Virginia 2020 Transportation Plan that was produced by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) under the auspices of Transportation Coordinating Council (TCC) in 1999. That study identified the eight major corridors throughout Northern Virginia, which are shown in Figure 1, of the report and evaluated a comprehensive range of highway, high occupant vehicle (HOV), transit and trail projects to address existing and forecast system deficiencies. The Trans Action 2030 Report and Trans Action 2030 Technical Appendix (over 100MB) are available for downloading.
- DATA cosponsored, with DCRA (Dulles Corridor Rail Association) its third seminar on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) on 30 March 2006. These presentations are available in either PDF or PPT formats:
  - TOD in Fairfax County PDF PPT
  - Putting Transportation Demand Management (TDM) in TOD PDF PPT
  - The Washington Area Economy PDF PPT
  - Loudoun Station PDF PPT
- What’s Happening in the Occoquan Watershed?
  - At a March 4, 2006 Green Breakfast Fairfax County Staff Kambiz Agazi, Fairfax County Environmental Coordinator and Paul Shirey, Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division) presented a report on the Occoquan Watershed
  - Stream conditions:
    - Stream Protection Strategy (SPS)
    - Stream Physical Assessment (SPA)
    - Virginia Tech report (Cub Run)
    - TMDL process for Bull Run and Popes Head Creek
  - Watershed Program overview
  - Individual coverage of Cub Run and Popes Head Creek
- Freeway Congestion In The Washington Region
  - February 15, 2006 Presentation to National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board
- The following presentations were made at the 7 Feb 06 Meeting of the Transportation Advisory Commission:
  - Parking Restrictions
  - Fairfax County Pedestrian Task Force Final Report
  - 060207Spot Improvements
  - 060207TransPlanComments.pdf
- Sully Supervisor Mike Frey hosted a meeting on 14 November 2005 to discuss proposed changes to the signalization and movements at the Route 28 intersection with Walney and Braddock roads
  - Rt 28/Walney/Braddock intersection presentation
- DATA held a seminar on 28 September 2005 on Transit Oriented Development. These presentations are available:
  - Creating Transit Oriented Communities
  - Moorefield Station
  - Moorefield Station Text
  - Tyson's Corner Center
  - Performance Oriented Development
- At the Fairfax County Board Of Supervisors Transportation Subcommittee meeting on 16 September they heard presentations on:
  - Tri-County Connector
  - Battlefield Bypass
  - Conversion of Metro Bus routes 12 & 20 to Fairfax Connector
- Jack Dale, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent, presented the FCPS FY06 Budget to the Fairfax Federation at its 13 January 2005 meeting.
- Dana Kaufman, Lee District Supervisor, gave a presentation on Metro funding to the Fairfax County Federation of Civic Associations at their October 2004 membership meeting.
- Jack Van Dop, FHWA Project Director, gave a presentation on the Battlefield Bypass at the 20 September 2004 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor's Transportation Subcommittee. No new information was conveyed.
- At the December 2003 Transportation Advisory Commission Meeting, staff made a presentation regarding the SMART Traffic Signal System VDOT has implemented in Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun counties.
- At the Dulles Area Transportation Association Meeting, 10 July 2003, Young Ho Chang of the Fairfax Department of Transportation gave a Fairfax County Transportation Update
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