ITEM #19: CORRESPONDENCE OF INTEREST A. LETTERS OF SUPPORT ON THE WYTHE CREEK ROAD WIDENING PROJECT Attached are five letters to Mayor Hunt of Poquoson in support of the Wythe Creek Road widening project. Attachment 19-A B. FHWA/FTA FINDING ON THE HRTPO FY 2015-2018 TIP Attached is a letter dated September 18, 2014, from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to HRTPO Chair Price, stating that the FY 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the HRTPO satisfactorily meets the requirements of the continuing, comprehensive and cooperative transportation planning process. Attachment 19 B C. FHWA/FTA APPROVAL OF THE FY 2015-2018 STATEWIDE TIP Attached is a letter dated September 30, 2014, from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Layne, stating that the FY 2015-2018 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) has been approved. This approval makes the FY 2015-2018 STIP and the HRTPO FY 2015-2018 TIP effective as of October 1, 2014. Attachment 19-C D. CITY OF HAMPTON APPOINTMENTS TO THE HRTPO BOARD AND THE AIR QUALITY CONTROL COMMITTEE Attached is a letter dated September 30, 2014, from the City of Hampton to the HRTPO, specifying the City s appointments to the HRTPO Board and the Air Quality Control Committee. Attachment 19 D E. GLOUCESTER COUNTY COMMENTS ON THE REVISED FY 2015-2020 SYIP Attached is a letter dated October 2, 2014, from Gloucester County to members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, transmitting the County s comments on the Draft Revised FY 2015-2020 Six-Year Improvement Program. Attachment 19-E HRTPO Board Meeting October 16, 2014 Agenda
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Gloucester County Administrator s Office Telephone 804-693-4042 P. O. Box 329, Gloucester, Virginia 23061 Fax 804-693-6004 October 2, 2014 Programming Director Virginia Department of Transportation 1401 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 RE: Gloucester County Comments on the Revised SYIP - FY 15-20 - Public Hearing Dear Members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board: Thank you once again for the opportunity to comment on the Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) 2015-2020. We remain keenly interested in how the new prioritization process will impact our locality with this SYIP revision being the first outward sign of the implications of HB2. As the CTB analyzes prioritization process, please recognize the inherent difficulties in comparing rural, suburban, and urban areas. As with most districts, the Fredericksburg District is very diverse with some of the most congested roadways in the state on one end and some of the most rural roadways along the Chesapeake Bay. Congestion in the two areas may be measured on different scales, but it is equally critical to each. Similarly, economic development potential in terms of increased economic vitality is drastically different across the district for every dollar invested. What may appear to be a relatively small economic development opportunity in an urban area may exceed every expectation for rural localities. Similar arguments can be made for Accessibility, Safety, and Environmental Quality. It is imperative that the prioritization process recognize this inherent dichotomy by setting metrics that are neutral to rural/urban areas or by dividing available funding early on in two pools to be then prioritized within urban and rural areas of the district/state. With this said, it remains unclear as to the appropriate methodology for a rural locality to have a yet unprogrammed relatively small primary road project considered under the prioritization model. We feel that relatively modest investments can yield significant benefits for the citizens of Gloucester, and that those investments and benefits can best be considered by passing through the new prioritization process this year and future years. The following projects are currently not included in the SYIP and are being retransmitted to you after being submitted last May when the FY15-20 SYIP draft was under review. We respectfully request that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) consider incorporating the following projects into the formal prioritization process so they can be objectively compared with other currently unfunded projects in the district. 1. Improvements to the intersection of Business 17 (Main Street) and Route 3/14 - This intersection has been an issue for many years and both VDOT and the County have LAND OF THE LIFE WORTH LIVING Attachment 19-E
Gloucester County Comments on the Revised SYIP - FY 15-20 - Public Hearing October 1, 2014 Page 2 explored a variety of options to improve its efficiency and functionality. Most recently, the Gloucester County Business 17 Corridor Planning Study (a study of the entire Main Street Corridor) provided recommendations for improvements to key intersections including the B17/3-14 intersection. This VDOT funded and managed planning study complements other planning efforts in the Court House area that seek to improve the connectivity and economic vitality of the Court House Village Development Area. As the eastern gateway into the Historic Court House and a main commuter route for residents of the Middle Peninsula, improvements to this intersection would provide multiple benefits to Main Street, the County, and the region by reducing congestion and increasing vehicular and pedestrian safety. The study recommends relatively modest improvements within the existing right-of-way that will not impact the two adjacent historic properties and will augment the Enhancement Project currently underway at the Edge Hill Station Property. The planning study was vetted through public meetings and accepted by the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors at their August 6, 2013 meeting. The cost for these improvements was estimated to be $233,000 excluding right of way or utility relocation costs, which are not foreseen to be significant. 2. Pedestrian-Multi-modal Access Study for the Gloucester Point-Hayes Village Development Area - The County received a UDA grant from VDOT s Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment to prepare a plan for the Gloucester Point Hayes Village Development Area which encouraged better land use and transportation coordination. The plan recommends pedestrian friendly streets and accommodations; however U.S. Route 17 bisects the Village Area and currently there are no pedestrian crossings to enable pedestrians and other non-motorized travelers to safely cross Route 17. CMAQ funds are currently allocated to provide sidewalks in the area and also to coordinate the signals throughout the Route 17 corridor. As part of the signal coordination project, the design for several upgraded signals incorporate pedestrian signal upgrades where pedestrian infrastructure exists, and incorporate provisions for the future installation of pedestrian signal upgrades when pedestrian infrastructure is installed at other intersections over time. In order to determine which intersections in this Village Area have the greatest need, and would best accommodate pedestrian crossings, especially across Route 17, we request that a pedestrian access study be prepared. This study would help the County and VDOT to identify an appropriate pedestrian and multi-modal system for the Village Area which could then be strategically implemented through future funding and development projects. We do not have an estimated cost for this study but would like to see it added to the SYIP as soon as feasible so it can leverage a future County request for federal CMAQ dollars to implement well planned pedestrian improvements. 3. U.S. Route 17 Bypass - Lengthen Left Turn Lane Northbound at Intersection with Route 17/14 Business (Main St) & Route 619 Fiddlers Green Rd - This project includes lengthening the existing left turn lane on the northbound side of U.S. Route 17 Bypass at the intersection of U.S. Route 17 Bypass and SR 619 Fiddlers Green Road where the left turn lane turns onto Fiddlers Green Road. This turning movement is utilized by the adjacent State Police office and Virginia Dominion Power office / maintenance yard adding to its importance. During peak hours, traffic accumulates in the left turn lane and overflows into the mainline of Route 17 Bypass causing congestion and delays getting through the intersection. 4. Route 17 Southbound - Provide right turn lane on to Ark Road (State Route 606) - This project involves providing a southbound right turn lane from U.S. Route 17 on to Ark Road, SR 606. During peak hours, traffic accumulates in the right through lane and LAND OF THE LIFE WORTH LIVING Attachment 19-E
Gloucester County Comments on the Revised SYIP - FY 15-20 - Public Hearing October 1, 2014 Page 3 drivers dangerously use the relatively wide shoulder as a right turn lane. Improper right turn movements together with simultaneous proper right turn movements from the through lane are very dangerous particularly at this rural signalized intersection where drivers approaching from the north likely do not expect congestion after traveling for many rural miles on US 17. Again, we understand that transportation funds are limited and must be allocated over a very extensive transportation system. We appreciate the difficult task before the CTB and request your consideration of supporting the projects listed in the Revised Plan as well as support the incorporation of projects listed above into the prioritization process to determine if they are objectively worthy of funding. Thank you very much for the opportunity to comment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (804-693-4042) or email (gcurry@gloucesterva.info). Sincerely, Garrey W. Curry, Jr., P.E. Assistant County Administrator for Community Development Cc: Brenda Garton, Gloucester County Administrator Anne Ducey-Ortiz, AICP,Director of Planning & Zoning Henry Connors, Jr., CTB, Fredericksburg District John Malbon, CTB, Hampton Roads District Camelia Ravanbakht, Ph.D., Interim Executive Director, HRTPO Marquitrice Wright, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Marcie Parker, District Administrator, VDOT Fredericksburg Craig Van Dussen, RLA, District Planning Manager, VDOT Fredericksburg Alison Richter, Programming and Investment Management Director, VDOT Jason Robinson, Programming Director, VDOT Fredericksburg Sean Trapani, Residency Administrator, VDOT Saluda File - SYIP FY15-20 LAND OF THE LIFE WORTH LIVING Attachment 19-E