Updating Sound Transit s Long-Range Plan. ITE November 12, 2013

Transcription

1 Updating Sound Transit s Long-Range Plan ITE November 12, 2013

2 The Sound Transit district

3 Today s regional transit system

4 Serving more riders each year Millions of annual Boardings

5 Responding to the recession Status of ongoing program realignment: Design & Construct as planned Keep Moving: closely track schedule and cost uncertainties & risks Retain only limited funding to develop options Suspend: no activity, defund from finance plan Delete from program

6 Funded light rail expansions

7 New Starts Fact Sheet OVERVIEW The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and the Federal Transit Administration s discretionary New Starts program is the federal government s primary financial resource for supporting locally planned, implemented, and operated major transit capital investments The New Starts program funds new and extensions to existing fixed guideway transit systems in every area of the country. These projects include commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, streetcars, and ferries

8 New Starts Fact Sheet PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Must emerge from a regional, multi-modal transportation planning process developed during the three phases of New Starts project development:

9 New Starts Fact Sheet Phase I Alternatives Analysis Evaluates the mode and alignment options for a particular corridor in the community Analysis on the benefits, costs and impacts of transportation options Complete when local and regional decision makers select a locally preferred alternative Adopted by the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) into the region's long-range transportation plan

10 New Starts Fact Sheet Phase II Preliminary Engineering Advance design options to refine the locally preferred alternative and complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process Hones the estimates of project costs, benefits, and impacts Local sponsors finalize management plans, demonstrate their technical capabilities to develop the project, and commit local funding sources

11 New Starts Fact Sheet Phase III Final Design Preparation of final construction plans, detailed specifications and bid documents

12 New Starts Fact Sheet PROJECT EVALUATION Projects are evaluated according to a variety of criteria and assigned ratings of high, mediumhigh, medium, medium-low, or low throughout the project development process as information concerning costs, benefits, and impacts is refined Based on these evaluations, the FTA makes decisions about moving projects forward, from preliminary engineering to final design, to annual funding recommendations to Congress, and to the execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)

13 New Starts Fact Sheet PROJECT EVALUATION Assigned ratings of high, medium-high, medium, medium-low, or low throughout the project development process as information concerning costs, benefits, and impacts is refined The FTA makes decisions about moving projects forward based on these evaluations, from preliminary engineering to final design, to annual funding recommendations to Congress, and to the execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)

14 New Starts Fact Sheet CRITERIA The FTA evaluates the project justification and the local financial commitment according to the following measures: In addition, SAFETEA-LU adds two criteria - Economic Development and the Reliability of Forecasts

15 New Starts Fact Sheet Project Justification Mobility Improvements - measured by travel time benefits per project passenger mile, low-income households served, and employment near stations Environmental Benefits - measured by change in regional pollutant emissions, change in regional energy consumption, and EPA air quality designation Cost Effectiveness - measured as the cost per hour of travel time saved Operating Efficiencies - measured by system operating cost per passenger mile Transit Supportive Land Use & Future Patterns - measured by existing land use, transit supportive plans and policies and performance, and impacts of policies Other - includes a number of optional factors, including the projected economic impact of project

16 New Starts Fact Sheet Local Financial Commitment The proposed share of total project costs from sources other than 49 USC 5309 New Starts, including federal formula and flexible funds, the local match required by federal law, and any additional capital funding The stability and reliability of the proposed capital financing plan The ability of the sponsoring agency to fund operations and maintenance of the entire transit system (including existing service) as planned, once the project is built

17 New Starts Fact Sheet Overall Evaluation FTA considers the individual ratings for each of the project justification and local financial commitment measures. FTA combines this information into summary finance and project justification ratings for each prospective New Starts project. Individual measures, summary criteria ratings, and overall project ratings are designated as high, medium-high, medium, medium-low or low.

18 A Look at Light Rail Today

19 Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel

20 University Link

21 Northgate Link

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23 East Link

24 Lynnwood Link Extension Environmental review & preliminary engineering Final design & permitting Construction to start of service

25 South of SeaTac

26 Phase Gate Process

27 Federal Way Transit Extension Alternatives Analysis Update Schedule

28 Federal Way Transit Extension Alternatives Analysis Update Alternatives Analysis Process

29 Federal Way Transit Extension Alternatives Analysis Update Initial Range of Alternative Corridors

30 The Long-Range Plan

31 Updating the Long-Range Plan Which corridors should be designated for which high-capacity transit services? Link light rail ST Express/bus rapid transit Sounder commuter rail Better access to the system (Park and Ride lots, Bicycle/Ped access)? Individual projects? Policies? Leave plan as-is?

32 System Planning Schedule Sound Transit Board instructed staff to begin planning for next possible High Capacity Transit (HCT) system plan in December Work planning and contract procurement activities were conducted from January September Summer 2013 to Summer 2014 ST2 High Capacity Transit (HCT) Studies conducted in preparation for updating the LRP October 2013 to December 2014 Complete LRP Update & Supplemental EIS (SEIS) 2015 to 2016 Develop System Plan/Ballot Measure? (As directed by the Sound Transit Board) Projects and services that can be included in the LRP are not limited to the corridors explored in the ongoing HCT studies.

33 Long-Range Plan and SEIS Timeline (DRAFT) Scoping: October 25- November 25, 2013* Identify Alternatives to study: December 2013 Draft SEIS: January - June 2014* Draft SEIS Comment Period: July August 2014 Final SEIS: September 2014 November 2014 Adoption of the updated LRP: December 2014 Seek input on scope of alternatives to study in the SEIS. Seek input on goals and objectives. Public scoping meetings in each subarea. Agency scoping meeting Update the Goals and Objectives from the 2005 LRP. Review results of scoping with Sound Transit Board. Board review of alternatives to be studied. Examine alternatives based on Goals and Objectives Describe the benefits and adverse effects of the alternatives. Provide Planlevel supplemental environmental analysis of candidate projects. Draft SEIS available for public review. Opportunity for additional input and comment. Respond to comments received on Draft SEIS. Complete the Final SEIS. Sound Transit Board approves updated LRP.

34 HCT System Plan Process Updated demographics Review of current LRP LRP Update and SEIS Input from scoping results Input from Board LRP Update: Not matched to revenues 2015 System Plan Development Input from the ST2 HCT studies 2016? New HCT System Plan Funded Plan: System Plan matched to revenues

35 Background Information General Terminology What is HCT? the legal definition Ridership trends Demographic trends Planned/Funded expansion in the region HCT Corridor Studies (per ST2)

36 Terminology Long-Range Plan: The Long-Range Plan (LRP) is the Boardadopted vision for what a regional HCT system is, and how it should serve the region in the long term. It is financially unconstrained, and provides the source material for developing next set of capital investments to expand the existing system. Updating this plan is the Board s first decision point next year.

37 Terminology HCT Corridor Studies: In 2008, the Board included a set of HCT Corridor studies in the ST2 Plan in order to lay the groundwork for future system expansion beyond ST2. They are intended to document HCT concepts in the region s primary travel corridors. Information generated by these studies will inform the Board s update to the Long-Range Plan. The studies are not meant to limit the Board s scope of review during the LRP update.

38 Terminology System Plan: The system plan identifies the next increment of HCT expansion beyond the existing ST2 system. Sound Transit has had two HCT System Plans to date: Sound Move and Sound Transit 2. By law, the Board must consider multiple alternatives before taking action. Adopting a third System Plan is the final decision the Board would make prior to calling an election; as such, it would be the subject of a future ballot measure.

39 What is High Capacity Transit? "High capacity transportation system" means a system of public transportation services within an urbanized region operating principally on exclusive rights-of-way, and the supporting services and facilities necessary to implement such a system, including interim express services and high occupancy vehicle lanes, which taken as a whole, provides a substantially higher level of passenger capacity, speed, and service frequency than traditional public transportation systems operating principally in general purpose roadways. RCW

40 Sounder and ST Express Expansion Through ST2 Sounder Added trains between Downtown Seattle and Pierce County Lakewood extension completed Major study of station access (Puyallup and Sumner in PE and EA) Station Improvements Edmonds 2 nd platform Tukwila permanent station Mukilteo 2 nd platform Adding storage track, Yard and Shop under study Tacoma Trestle replacement ST Express Service enhancements on selected routes to meet demand New park-and-ride facility at Burien Operations and maintenance base under study Vehicle Purchases

41 HCT Corridor Studies High-level, technical and conceptual o Designed to provide information on possible options Focused on the purpose stated in ST2 o Inform the Sound Transit Board s consideration of potential updates to Sound Transit s Long-Range Plan

42 Current Long-Range Plan Goals Provide a public transportation system that helps ensure long-term mobility, connectivity, and convenience for the citizens of the Puget Sound region for generations to come Preserve communities and open space Contribute to the region s economic vitality Preserve our environment Strengthen communities use of the regional transit network How could these be changed for this LRP Update? 42

43 LRP Alternatives No Action Alternative: The existing LRP (updated to reflect projects in ST2) Action Alternative: Options for updating the LRP based on potential changes such as: o New or modified HCT corridors o o o o Corridors included in the HCT studies o Other corridors Specific technologies by corridor o Link Light Rail o Bus Rapid Transit or ST Express Bus o Sounder Commuter Rail Possible annexation of new areas to the District? Extending services beyond District boundaries? 43

44 Things to Consider Capitalize on Sound Move and ST2 Investments Supplemental EIS Expand RTA Boundaries Specify technologies by HCT Corridor Stay within existing ST modes Strategies for containing future O&M Costs Revisit previous ST Board decisions? Priority of the Spine? Spine as LRT? BRT on I-405?

45 Possible Project Types for LRP Update Examples include: Link system expansion Sounder expansion Service enhancements (all modes) Station enhancements In-fill stations System-Wide Improvements: Operations and maintenance base needs TOD strategies (beyond current programs) Parking management strategies at stations Station access improvements

46 Potential Changes: Policies and Programs Access improvements: Multi-modal access Parking strategies Costs of operation/maintenance Ops/maintenance facilities TOD Sustainability Others?

47 Areas of potential impact for the SEIS Transportation/Transit Air quality/greenhouse gases Ecosystems Water resources Geology and soils Noise and vibration Visual effects Land use Energy Hazardous materials Public services and utilities Environmental justice Cultural, historic and archeological resources Parks Construction impacts Cumulative impacts

48 Process to update the plan Scoping: the first step of preparing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Determines alternatives for study Comment period: Oct. 25-Nov. 25

49 How to get involved Comment options: Meetings around the region Online survey Mail Information at

50 Upcoming Scoping Meetings Public Scoping Meetings: All meetings except Nov. 21 are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a presentation at 6:15 p.m. Seattle Tuesday, Nov. 12 Seattle University Campion Ballroom 914 E. Jefferson St., Seattle Federal Way Wednesday, Nov. 13 Federal Way Community Center 876 S. 333rd St., Federal Way Redmond Thursday, Nov. 14 Redmond Marriott th Ave. N.E., Redmond Tacoma Monday, Nov. 18 Tacoma Convention Center 1500 Broadway, Tacoma Everett Tuesday, Nov. 19 Eisenhower Middle School th Ave. S.E., Everett Seattle Thursday, Nov :30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Union Station, Sound Transit Boardroom

51 Citizen Oversight Panel (COP) Sound Transit is seeking volunteers from North King County to help the agency succeed in meeting its commitments to the public. The agency has two openings on the Citizen Oversight Panel (COP) for North King County. Sound Transit relies on the oversight and expertise of this dedicated and independent group of volunteers. The COP was created in 1997 to independently monitor Sound Transit and make sure it meets its commitments to build and operate a regional bus, light rail and commuter rail transit system. The 15 COP members represent a variety of interests, professional expertise and experience. The COP meets twice monthly during normal business hours and acts as an independent oversight entity by digging into agency details, asking hard questions and reporting its findings to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. To Apply: Submit a completed application and a resume to Pat McCarthy, Sound Transit Board Chair, 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA CONTACT: Geoff Patrick (206) or geoff.patrick@soundtransit.org

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53 Sound Transit s Upcoming Design Build Projects

54 Link System Map 54

55 South 200 th Link Extension S440 - Guideway/Station Currently in Construction S445 Parking Garage in RFP Phase, Award Spring 2014

56 56

57 E360 SR 520/Overlake Why ST Chose the DB Delivery Method: Opportunity for Innovation Confidence in Obtaining ROW Good Scope Definition Strong AHJ Partners Estimated Contract Value (range) $120M to $160M RFQ date 1Q2014 RFP date Summer 2014 NTP date 1Q2015 Substantial Completion Date TBD (2019) y

58 N165 Parking Garage Part of the Northgate Link Extension project Minimum 450-stall parking garage; May be increased to as much as 730 stalls Could be 6 to 8 floors

59 N165 Parking Garage Why ST chose the DB delivery method Repetitive nature of parking garage construction and the opportunity for design innovation to achieve the required capacity and traffic flow Estimated Contract Value (range) - $15 to $20 million RFQ date October 2013 (approx 10/15) RFP date January 2014 NTP date June 2014 Substantial completion date February 2016

60 Maintenance of Way Part of University Link 26,000 square foot facility House the Track, Facilities and Power Departments for Sound Transit s light rail operations A 2- to 3-story pre-engineered metal building Service shop areas, spare parts storage, administrative support offices, fleet vehicle parking and associated site utilities and improvements

61 Maintenance of Way Why ST chose the DB delivery method - schedule constraints and the RCW allows for a design-build approach for the construction or erection of pre-engineered metal buildings regardless of cost Estimated Contract Value - $10M - $12M RFQ: July 16, 2013 RFP: November 20, 2013 NTP: May 19, 2014 Substantial Completion: December 31, 2015

62 Potential Future DB Projects Lynnwood Link Extension: 8.5 miles from Lynnwood to Northgate 3 to 5 stations and parking facilities Record of Decision 2015 Federal Way Transit Extension: 7.6 miles currently funded to Kent/Des Moines 3 to 6 stations and parking facilities Record of Decision