HomeMy WebLinkAboutDMCC Resolution No. 126-2022 (Approving Adjustments to Bus Rapid Transit Application in Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts Program)Mobility
To: DMCC Board of Directors
From: DMC EDA
Date: January 28, 2022
Request of the board of directors:
Support directing staff to advance evaluation and design of project enhancements to return to the Board with:
a)revised project definition
b)revised project budget
c)revised funding strategy
d)revised timeline
Background:
A multi-modal mobility strategy for the DMC has been developed that includes the implementation of a Rapid
Transit Circulator, which is the current focus of DMC’s mobility infrastructure investments.
To ensure the standards articulated by this Board are incorporated in the project, staff has continued to
evaluate the user experience of the system as designed. Staff has identified three main areas where the design
needs to evolve to achieve the experience expectations and optimize Federal funding:
-Station design and pedestrian connections to stations
-The alignment at the eastern terminus of the route
-The potential to add infrastructure needed for the project into the FTA request to share funding
Fulfilling the DMC Vision, Mission, and/or Goals:
To address these opportunities, DMC EDA staff are working in collaboration with City staff and the consultant
team, SRF, and recommend the following project refinements, with a goal of creating a world-class experience
that centers equity of access and foregrounds BRT as a desirable consumer choice.
Current Status:
Below is a summary of each of the identified areas proposed to be evaluated for future addition into the project
scope, budget, and timeline. Staff recommends requesting any additional costs from Federal sources in a revised
FTA application and targeting keeping the local contribution the same.
Revised Project Definition:
1. Enhanced station user experience
•What
o Enhanced station design—especially for protection from weather (12 stations) and quality
materials for durability and sustainability
o Direct vertical access to pedestrian subways (3 stations)
•Why
o Community co-designer and stakeholder group input on station function and finish
o Requirement for patient/visitor/employee experience consistent with existing quality of
service
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2. Realignment and extension at east terminus
•What
o New station on 6th Street SE, west of 3rd Ave. SE
o Eliminate 1-direction loop by removing 4th Street/S. Broadway Ave from route
o Add westbound station at Library
•Why
o Increase local ridership potential by closer connection to SE neighborhood
o Increase safety for commuters by eliminating the need to cross 4th Street
o Economic development multiplier effect of Rapid Transit and Downtown Waterfront
Southeast small-area plan
o More conventional bi-directional route design along 3rd Ave to 2nd Street SE
3. Expand project definition to include infrastructure investments not part of the original federal Capital
Investment Grant
•What
o Design & construction of a portion (1,400 ft) of the roadway and public parking at West Transit
Village
o Design & construction of extensions to 5th St. SE, 1st Ave. SE and & 6th St. SE
o Bus maintenance bay at PWTOC
•Why
o Opportunity to optimize use of federal funds by including additional infrastructure
investments in project definition now that more detail is known
Next Steps:
−Rochester City Council Study Session
−Public engagement to discuss adjustments
−Advance project design
−Return to DMCC Board and Rochester City Council with updated timeline, budget, and funding strategy
−Revise National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) report
−Submit a revised application to FTA (subject to Rochester City Council approval) to include:
o Design for new project elements
o New total cost estimate
o Revised funding strategy
o Updated project schedule
−Begin process for ROW acquisition and procurement of rolling stock prior to grant agreement