Let's Keep Moving!Your E-News Update from the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)
Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, Chair
September 23, 2009, Meeting Summary MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
There has been discussion in the media recently regarding the status of stimulus funding and whether it is being “spent” quickly enough. I want to assure residents and stakeholders that the Transportation Policy Committee is keenly aware of the importance of obligating projects (meaning the money is programmed and the project is approved by the Federal Highway Administration) in time for the March 2, 2010, federal deadline. In fact, to ensure that we meet this goal, the MAG Regional Council has established an early regional deadline of November 30 for local projects to be obligated, or we will redistribute the funding to other projects. That said, it is important to note that the federal process is complex and often difficult. MAG is working closely with its member agencies to help them navigate through the approval procedures, and we are exploring the possibility of providing some consideration to agencies on the November 30 deadline if the project is very close to being ready and it can be determined that it will definitely meet the March deadline. The TPC recognizes the importance of the stimulus funding and the value it brings to our regional economy. We are committed to ensuring that this region not only meets the deadline and obligates all of our eligible funding, but that we are prepared and “in line” for any additional stimulus funds that become available from other areas of the region that are unable to meet the deadline. TPC MEETING SUMMARY ARRA Highway Projects Reprioritized
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) directs transportation infrastructure funds to both highways and transit agencies in states and metropolitan planning organizations. There are three areas in which our region is eligible for stimulus funding: Highway, Transit, and Sub-Allocated (local) projects. In February 2009, the MAG Regional Council, with the recommendation of the TPC, prioritized five highway projects, including a backup list of additional prioritized projects, to be programmed with the $129 million in ARRA funding for state highways. Since that time, many construction bids have come in lower than anticipated, resulting in $14.7 million in savings that can be applied toward the additional projects on the list. However, not all of the prioritized projects in the remaining list are at the same stage of readiness. Since project readiness is vital to meeting the established federal deadline, the TPC recommended that the Regional Council reprioritize the ARRA Highway project list that was approved in February based on the ability to obligate. The TPC noted that MAG committees are still considering policies regarding the MAG sub-allocated portion of the ARRA funding, and those issues will be discussed in October. The TPC will discuss whether unprogrammed local ARRA funds should be reprogrammed to another project or remain allocated to the local jurisdiction, based on project eligibility and readiness. Acceptance of the Interstates 8 and 10 Hidden Valley Transportation Framework Study
A framework of future transportation options in areas surrounding Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 in the far West Valley has been completed, and the TPC recommended that the findings of the interstates 8 and 10 Hidden Valley Transportation framework Study be accepted. The study is the second framework effort in the region since the conception of the regional freeway network in 1960 and the Hassayampa Framework Study in 2008. The frameworks seek to establish a network of transportation facilities to meet the buildout travel demand. The Hidden Valley study includes the area bounded by the Gila River on the north, State Route 87 and Pinal County on the east, the Tohono O’Odham Indian Community and Barry Goldwater Range on the south, and 459th Avenue on the west. The team determined that entitled development represents a population of approximately 2.5 million by buildout. The recommendations made by the TPC include adopting a two-mile traffic interchange spacing policy for new freeway facilities within the Hidden Valley area with appropriate planning for non-access crossings of the freeway; accepting the findings and implementation strategies as described in the study for inclusion as long-range unfunded illustrative corridors in the Regional Transportation Plan; recommending that the affected jurisdictions within the Hidden Valley study area incorporate the study’s recommendations into future updates of their general plans; and coordinating the acceptance with the tribal councils of the Gila River and Ak Chin Native American Indian Communities. Building a Quality Arizona Update
The Building a Quality Arizona process was initiated in 2006 by the Arizona COG/MPO (Councils of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations) Association. The framework study process began with the Hassayampa Framework Study conducted by MAG in the Maricopa region, which became a model for similar regional studies across the state. Additional studies were then conducted by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to envision the long-range (2050) transportation future and what is necessary to get there. The process has included intensive outreach and collaboration with policymakers, stakeholders, interest groups, and the public. The goal for the framework studies is to develop a statewide long-range transportation plan that provides residents and the traveling public with mobility choices. The plan seeks to “move people and goods safely and efficiently in a way that promotes sustainable growth and preserves our natural environment, while continuing to position Arizona for economic opportunities and diversification based on our unique assets,” among other goals. The framework studies led to the development of three potential transportation scenarios that involve a mix of transportation investments. The scenarios are highlighted below: - The first scenario, Personal Vehicle Mobility, is based on a premise that the predominant emphasis will remain on personal vehicle use; that vehicle technology and efficiency evolve over time with a modest increase in transit investment; and that land use patterns remain similar to today.
- The second scenario, Transit Mobility, places emphasis on enhanced transit use, a shift to using transit for regular trips (work, school, shopping, etc.), and provides more travel choices. It also assumes that land use patterns remain like today.
- The third scenario, Focused Growth, assumes joint land use and transportation decisions resulting in a balance of roadway and transit investments. Transportation investments would be focused to support activity centers, with reduced vehicle trips resulting from focused growth.
It is anticipated that other ongoing study efforts will be incorporated into the Statewide Recommended Framework Program. These include the Hassayampa, Hidden Valley, Transit, and Central Phoenix framework studies being conducted by MAG, along with the Statewide Rail Framework Study and current Regional Transportation Plan updates being conducted by MAG and the Pima Association of Governments (PAG), along with a high capacity transit study being conducted by PAG. Mesa Rail Alignment Recommended for Approval
The Transportation Policy Committee recommended that the Regional Council approve a locally-preferred alternative for a light rail alignment in the Central Mesa corridor. In June, the METRO Board of Directors approved the locally preferred alternative resulting from the alternatives analysis on the technology and alignment to extend high capacity transit improvements in the Central Mesa corridor. The preferred alignment included a light rail transit (LRT) extension on Main Street east to an interim end-of-the-line east of Mesa Drive as Phase I. In addition, METRO also approved forwarding Phase II recommendations to MAG for future funding consideration, which included a future extension of the LRT corridor on Main Street to approximately Gilbert Road and to improve service frequency on the Main Street LINK Bus Rapid Transit to match light rail service. The Mesa City Council approved these recommendations in May. The MAG Transportation Review Committee recommended approval of the Central Mesa locally preferred alternative, and the consideration of the Phase II recommendations for future funding consideration as an “illustrative” project. Don’t Trash Arizona Litter Prevention and Education Program Update
The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) includes $279 million for the freeway maintenance program, including litter control. In 2006, MAG implemented the Litter Prevention and Education Program known as Don't Trash Arizona! The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the health, safety, environmental and economic consequences of freeway litter and ultimately change the behavior of offenders. The TPC received an update on current litter education efforts as well as the findings of a recent evaluation survey. Efforts this year have included the development of a dynamic display board for use at schools and special events, the development of partnerships with broadcast media to focus on the dangers of road debris, a motivational speaker's tour targeting college campuses, and a focus on updating the Don't Trash Arizona Web site to include interactive features attractive to teens at about the time they are learning to drive. A recent evaluation survey of 637 Maricopa County residents found that one-half of Valley residents have heard the Don't Trash Arizona message in Maricopa County, with 62 percent of the target audience of males between the ages of 18-34 aware of the slogan. Since the inception of the program, there has been a 55 percent increase in awareness of the litter hotline, and a 20 percent increase in awareness of the anti-litter Web site, www.DontTrashAZ.com . In July 2009, the Don't Trash Arizona program received a Silver Anvil Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America for outstanding strategic public relations planning and implementation. FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS | Transportation Public Meeting | 5:00 PM – Tuesday, October 13, 2009, MAG Offices, Second Floor, Saguaro Room. | Transportation Policy Committee
(Note that the August meeting is cancelled) | 4:00 PM, Wednesday, October 21, 2009, MAG Offices, Second Floor, Saguaro Room. | Regional Council
(Note that the August meeting is cancelled) | 5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, MAG Offices, Second Floor, Saguaro Room. | | Federal Certification Review Public Meeting | 5:00 PM, – Tuesday, November, 3, 2009, MAG Offices, Second Floor, Saguaro Room. |
The MAG Offices are located at 302 N.1st Avenue, Phoenix. Meeting rooms are on the second floor. All meetings are subject to change. Let's Keep Moving E-Update is a monthly electronic newsletter providing information about the Transportation Policy Committee and the implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan. For questions regarding this publication, or to be removed from the distribution list, contact Kelly Taft at (602) 254-6300, or via e-mail at ktaft@mag.maricopa.gov. |
