Multi-Modal Corridor Study

1
Multi-Modal Corridor Study

• Project Briefing
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
• Transportation Policy Board

December 16, 2009
2
Study Area

• Multi-Modal Study by SHA and MTA for MDOT
• 30 miles of Limited Access Highway (I-270 and US
  15)
• 1.5 miles of New Alignment Highway (MD 75)
• 14-mile Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT)

3
Purpose and Need

• Purpose
• To investigate options that address congestion
  and improve safety along the I-270/US 15 Corridor
  due to existing and projected growth within the
  corridor.
• Need
• The I-270/US 15 Corridor provides an essential
  connection between the Washington DC metropolitan
  area and central and western Maryland. It is an
  essential corridor for carrying local and long
  distance trips, both within and beyond the
  corridor.

4
Project Goals

• Measures of Effectiveness
• Support Orderly Economic Growth
• Enhance Mobility
• Improve Goods Movement
• Preserve the Environment
• Optimize Public Investment
• Developed through coordination with the I-270/US
  15 Focus Group.

5
Corridor Alternatives

• Alternative 1 No Build
• Alternative 2 Transportation Systems Management
  / Travel Demand Management (TSM/TDM)
• Alternative 3A/B Master Plan HOV Alternative
• Alternative 4A/B Master Plan General Purpose
  Alternative
• Alternative 5A/B HOV General Purpose
  Alternative
• Alternative 5C HOV General Purpose
  Alternative, Express Bus Option
• Alternative 6A/B Express Toll Lane (21)
  Alternative
• Alternative 7A/B Express Toll Lane (22)
  Alternative
• Costs of highway build alternatives range between
  3.0-4.7 billion.

6
I-270 Managed Lanes Part of aBigger Picture

• Managed lane network would include
• Virginia HOT Lanes (under construction)
• West Side Mobility Study (feasibility study)
• Intercounty Connector (under construction)
• I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal Study (in planning stage)

7
CCT Alignment
8
CCT Project Information

• 14 miles long with 17 stations (includes 4 beyond
  2030)
• Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Bus Rapid Transit
  (BRT) on a dedicated transitway
• Transit transfers at Germantown (local / express
  bus), Metropolitan Grove (MARC), Shady Grove
  (WMATA Red Line)
• Connects key growth areas identified by
  Montgomery County. Special study recently to
  evaluate Gaithersburg West Master Plan
• Proposed adjacent bike path for entire length

7
9
Results Table
8
10
Preferred Alternative

• Alternative 7B with HOT lanes improved service
  to Park and Ride facilities no reversible lanes
• Alternative 7A with two reversible HOT lanes
  improved transit connections
• Build alternative improve bus service
• Alternative 7A/B, against using police impound
  lot as BRT facility
• Alternative 7A with HOV lanes
• Favors Alternative 3 or 4, a maximum of six lanes
  through the battlefield shift proposed
  transitway alignment
• Most comments focused on minimizing community and
  resource impacts of both transit/highway
  alternatives.

• Frederick Board of County Commissioners
• Montgomery County Council and County Executive
• City of Frederick
• City of Gaithersburg
• City of Rockville
• National Park Service (Monocacy National
  Battlefield)
• Comment Cards, E-Comments, and Public Testimony

11
Project Schedule

• Agency Comments
• Selection of Preferred Alternative

December 1, 2009 Winter 2010
After the Preferred Alternative selection, FHWA
and FTA recommend splitting the highway and
transit projects.

• Highway Path
• Update and Identify Minimization / Mitigation
  Opportunities
• Prepare Tier 1 FEIS / Record of Decision
• Identify Project Segments for Tier 2 Study and
  Design

• Transit Path
• Submit New Starts Application
• Preliminary Engineering and FEIS Preparation
• Final Design
• Secure Funding for Construction