November 13 Community Forum - Display Boards

7/30/2019 November 13 Community Forum - Display Boards

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Welcome to the Crystal City StreetcarEnvironmental Assessment Community Forum

WelcomeWelcomeWelcomeWelcome

Or, contact the study team at:Email: [email protected]

Public CommentMessage Line: 571-482-9734

Crystal City StreetcarP.O. Box 18023

Washington, DC 20036

To learn more about the studyor to submit your questions

or comments, visit our website:

www.crystalcitystreetcar.com

Tonights meeting focuses on:

The purpose of the study

The Crystal City Streetcar and its relationship to otherarea transportation modes and improvement projects

Issues that will be studied as part of the project

Environmental Assessment

Opportunities for public input

Presentations will be given at 5:30 and 7:00 pm


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Arlington County, in cooperation with theFederal Transit Administration, has initiated

an Environmental Assessment (EA) of theCrystal City Streetcar Project. The streetcar

was identified in plans and policies as a key

component of the transportation system toserve Pentagon City, Crystal City andPotomac Yard.

The EA will evaluate the potentialenvironmental impacts of the streetcar

project and identify mitigation strategies,

as necessary.

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Project Environmental Assessment?Project Environmental Assessment?Project Environmental Assessment?Project Environmental Assessment?


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The Crystal City Streetcar Project would establisha fixed rail streetcar line from the vicinity of

Potomac Avenue and South Glebe Road to thePentagon City Metrorail Station in Arlington

County, VA.

Streetcars would be introduced into the Route 1corridor within Arlington County as a complementto and extension of the existing transit network,

which includes Metrorail, Metrobus, OmniRide,and Virginia Railway Express (VRE).

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Streetcar Project?Streetcar Project?Streetcar Project?Streetcar Project?


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Purpose and NeedPurpose and NeedPurpose and NeedPurpose and Need

The purpose of the Crystal City Streetcar Project is to:

Serve planned development

Complement existing transit service

Link Arlington County activity centers Improve mobility for the transit-dependent population

Increase transit mode share

Support environmental sustainability

Contribute to community identity

Accommodate future travel demand


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High-capacity transit investment within the corridor will be necessary to meet the increased traveldemand that will be generated by increases in both population and employment densities by 2035.

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Population and EmploymentPopulation and EmploymentPopulation and EmploymentPopulation and Employment

Expected Increases in Population 2010-2035 Expected Increases in Employment Density 2010-2035


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The Crystal City streetcar project is one component of the multi-modal transportation system planned toserve the increasing travel demand in the Pentagon City, Crystal City, Potomac Yard area. The

Environmental Assessment will evaluate the potential impacts of the streetcar project relative to a No-Buildalternative which includes the following planned and programmed transportation system improvements:

Metrorail - The study area is served by the Metro Blue and Yellow lines.Access improvements are planned at both the Pentagon City and

Crystal City Metrorail stations. A new Potomac Yard Metrorail stationis planned for Alexandria.

Bus the Crystal City Potomac Yard (CCPY) Transitway is currentlybeing designed and constructed in Arlington and Alexandria.

Streetcar The Columbia Pike Streetcar Project will connect Pentagon

City to the Columbia Pike corridor to the west. Roadway Improvements including:

Two-way conversion of 12th Street, Crystal Drive, S Clark Street,

and S Bell Street

Completion of 12th Street between S Eads Street and S Fern Street

Reconstruction of 15th Street, 18th Street, and 23rd Street inCrystal City

Demolition of elevated S Clark Street

Reconstruction of Long Bridge Drive

Reconstruction of S Hayes Street in Pentagon City

Boundary Channel Drive improvements

Bicycle and pedestrian improvements on S Joyce Streetand Army-Navy Drive

NoNoNoNo----Build AlternativeBuild AlternativeBuild AlternativeBuild Alternative

Metrorail

Bus

Streetcar


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Streetcars generally operate as a single car on city streets with power provided by overhead wires.They can provide a high level of passenger capacity with frequent service, and are appropriate for an

urban environment with frequent stops.

The Crystal City Streetcar will

have approximately 9 stopsalong the route, each

consisting of a raised boardingplatform, an open shelter, andsupporting elements such as

benches, trash cans and ticketvending machines. Many of the

stops will be constructed aspart of the CCPY Transitway

project and be re-used by thestreetcar.

Tracks will be standard railroad gauge embedded into the pavement,within existing street rights-of-way. Overhead wires suspended over

each track will provide power to the streetcars, and will introduce anew visual element into the streetscape.

Seattle, WA

Power substations require a space of

approximately 20 ft. x 30 ft. The CrystalCity Streetcar will require approximately5 power substations. The design team will

make every effort to place them withinexisting public right-of-way, but property

acquisition may be required in some cases.

The Crystal City Streetcar Project is also likely toinclude a vehicle storage and light maintenance

facility for up to 8 vehicles, which could beincorporated into another building.

What is a Streetcar?What is a Streetcar?What is a Streetcar?What is a Streetcar?

Dublin, IrelandPortland, ORTacoma, WATacoma, WA

Substation With ArchitecturalTreatment (Norfolk, Virginia)


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The Crystal City Streetcar Project At A Glance:

2.5 miles from Pentagon City to SouthGlebe Road @ Potomac Avenue

Connection to the Columbia Pike

Streetcar line at Pentagon City

Both streetcars and buses to operate in

the CCPY Transitway alignment

Proposed AlignmentProposed AlignmentProposed AlignmentProposed Alignment

R O LR O LR O LR O L


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Relationship to Other LocalRelationship to Other LocalRelationship to Other LocalRelationship to Other Local

Transportation ProjectsTransportation ProjectsTransportation ProjectsTransportation Projects

CCPY Transitway

The Crystal City Streetcar is beingplanned in coordination with the CrystalCity / Potomac Yard (CCPY) CorridorTransit Improvement Project, which will:

provide an exclusive transit lane (orTransitway) for buses throughoutportions of the Route 1 corridor inArlington County and City of

Alexandria

develop station stops that willeventually be used for both busesand streetcars

Columbia Pike Streetcar

The Crystal City Streetcar is beingdesigned to tied in at its northwest end

with the eastern point of the proposedColumbia Pike Streetcar Project,allowing extended transit access topoints west in Arlington County alongColumbia Pike.

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Arlington County is making a strategic investment in streetcars, just as it did a half-century ago inMetrorail. By investing in this crucial infrastructure now, the County is ensuring that the heavily

traveled Route 1 corridor, an area that is growing rapidly, will attract high-quality development andbecome more transit oriented and pedestrian friendly.

The funding plan for the implementation of the Crystal City Streetcar consists of previously

approved local funds and state capital grants plus future local funds and anticipated state capitalgrants. The local funds come from five sources identified in Arlington's FY 2013-2022 CapitalImprovement Plan (CIP):

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Pay for its Streetcar System?Pay for its Streetcar System?Pay for its Streetcar System?Pay for its Streetcar System?

1) Arlington's countywide commercial and industrial real estate tax revenue dedicated totransportation capital projects and called the Transportation Capital Fund (TCF)

2) the Crystal City, Potomac Yard, Pentagon City Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund district

3) Local revenue bonds supported by the TCF

4) Local revenue bonds supported by the TIF

5) General Obligation (GO) bonds (which would require passage of a local referendum)


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Natural & Human Environment Potential for Project Effect Nature of Effect

Transportation Resources Enhanced Options

Air Quality To Be Assessed in EA

Economic Development Consistent with Plans

Land Use & ZoningConsistent with Plans /

Transit Oriented Development

Communities / Neighborhoods Enhanced Access / Connectivity

Environmental Justice Communities To Be Assessed in EA

Property Acquisition & DisplacementsFee Simple & Easements /

No Displacements Anticipated

Visual & Aesthetic Character Vehicles / Infrastructure

Cultural Resources To Be Assessed in EA

Public Parks & Recreation Lands -- No Effects

Section 4(f)/6(f) Properties -- No Effects

Noise & Vibration To Be Assessed in EA

Hazardous Materials To Be Assessed in EA

Ecologically Sensitive Areas & Endangered Species -- No Effects

Water Resources -- No Effects

Wetlands -- No Effects

Floodplains -- No Effects

Indirect & Cumulative Effects To Be Assessed in EA

Construction Impacts To Be Assessed in EA

Resource to be evaluated

in EnvironmentalAssessment (EA)

Resource not present /evaluated

--

Environmental ConsiderationsEnvironmental ConsiderationsEnvironmental ConsiderationsEnvironmental Considerations

Environmental AssessmentEnvironmental AssessmentEnvironmental AssessmentEnvironmental Assessment


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Project Timeline

Environmental AssessmentEnvironmental AssessmentEnvironmental AssessmentEnvironmental Assessment

And Project MilestonesAnd Project MilestonesAnd Project MilestonesAnd Project Milestones

Project Schedule2012 2013

Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug

Purpose and Need

Baseline Conditions

NEPA Alternatives

Concept Design

Assess Environmental Effects

Prepare Draft EA

FTA Review and Comment

Prepare Final EA

Notice of Availability

Public Comment Period

Public Meeting

Response to Comments

Draft FONSI

FTA Review and Comment

Notice of Availability


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Please take a few moments to share your views with the studyteam to help us better meet the needs of the community.

Be sure to include your contact information if youd like toreceive future updates as the project progresses.

To learn more about the study or tosubmit your questions or commentsat a later time, visit our website:www.CrystalCityStreetcar.com

Or, contact the study team at:Email: [email protected]

Public CommentMessage Line: 571-482-9734

Crystal City StreetcarP.O. Box 18023

Washington, DC 20036

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November 13 Community Forum - Display Boards