Richmond Highway Transit Center Feasibility Study: Public Information Meeting

County of Fairfax, Virginia

Department of Transportation

Richmond Highway Transit Center Feasibility Study

Public Information Meeting September 18, 2013


Department of Transportation 2

Welcome • Public Information Meeting

– Present conceptual layouts at three potential sites

– Obtain community input (comment forms) • Presenters

– Caijun Luo, Fairfax County Department of Transportation

– Jose Bustamante, RK&K



Outline • General overview of project • Conceptual layouts of three transit center

sites • Question and answer



Project Purpose • To support revitalization and transportation goals for the

Richmond Highway corridor • Richmond Highway is an important arterial that provides

connectivity between major commercial, residential, and recreational points in northern Virginia and Fairfax County.

• The efficient operation of Richmond Highway is critical to the regional roadway network, and good quality bus service will be more important as traffic grows in the corridor.

• Enhance existing bus services provided by Fairfax County • Trigger economic development along the Richmond

Highway Corridor



Study Goals & Objectives • Plan and design a facility that creates an attractive environment for

transit riders and is seamlessly integrated into a local fabric and communities

• Develop a functional, practicable, and cost-effective design concepts for the new facility

• Focus on site program and traffic impacts to meet future needs for year 2030

• To provide a conceptual layout design and access plan for each of the three proposed transit center sites

• To evaluate the pros and cons of each site • To assist in final site selection



Project Overview In 2011, a total of 16 candidate sites were selected for evaluation based on proximity to the Route 1 corridor and land availability. The site at Fordson Rd. was selected for further analysis, but was not advanced due to new retail development.



Project Overview In 2013, a total of 15 candidate sites were selected for evaluation based on community input, proximity to the Route 1 corridor and functionality. Three sites were selected for further analysis.



Site Program • What makes a great transit center?

– Amenities – Identity

• How do we get there? – Design Charrette held on April 22, 2013 – Understanding the need and purpose of program

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=U2hZOroI6vJbqM&tbnid=HzTx8HMKltwKEM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.city-data.com%2Fforum%2Fcity-vs-city%2F951983-what-do-your-city-buses-look-3.html&ei=bsY3Uvf6OLS24AOY0IGIDQ&psig=AFQjCNGq50dti09tPatSM3d3kbxBaZnZ5g&ust=1379473372049115

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Site Program



Evaluation & Screening Criteria

• Location • On-site Bus Circulation • Cost Effectiveness • Amenities • Bus Access • Traffic

• Intermodality • Neighborhood

Development • Right-of-Way/Relocations • Environmental Impacts • Land Use Compatibility

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Site A FCDOT Sidewalk Improvements

Improved Pedestrian Access

Transit Center Building

7’ Tall Brick or Block Fence Wall

12’ – wide Vegetated Buffer

Visitor/Staff Parking

On-site Pedestrian Paths

& Crossings

Kiss & Ride Area

Green Space/ Trees

Stormwater Management/ Planting Areas

Shell Gas Station

Vacant Restaurant

Video Store

Bike Facilities & Storage

Year 2030: No. of Bus Routes = 9 No. of Bus Bays = 12

Potential for Recreational

Amenity

INTERMODALITY LAND USE COMPATIBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES

BUS ACCESS/CIRCULATION

Right-of-Way: No. of Acquisitions = 3 No. of Relocations = 3

Potential HAZMAT Removal at Gas

Station



Site A Pros • Allows for 12 bus bays to

accommodate forecasted 2030 growth

• Easily accessible & visible from Richmond Highway

• Multiple bus access points • Potential for future neighborhood

development

Cons • On-site bus circulation; buses

cross each other • Requires acquisition and relocation

of 3 properties (including gas station and video store)

• Potential HAZMAT site • Adjacent to residential use • Limited pedestrian and bike access • Deficient traffic operations • Only small area available for

amenities



Site B

Year 2030: No. of Bus Routes = 12

No. of Bus Bays = 16


Transit Center Building

7’ Tall Brick or Block Fence Wall

12’ – wide Vegetated Buffer

Visitor/Staff Parking


& Crossings

Kiss & Ride Area

Green Space/ Trees

Existing Stormwater Management Facility



Amenity

INTERMODALITY LAND USE COMPATIBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES



Shared Access Road



Site B Pros • Allows for 16 bus bays to

accommodate forecasted 2030 growth; highest of all sites

• Efficient on-site bus circulation; loop design

• High potential for future neighborhood development

• Adjacent to busy commercial developments

Cons • Limited bus access from service

road; shared with highly used commercial site and apartment complex

• Only one bus access point • Requires acquisition of 1 property

and 11 business relocations; highest cost

• Limited pedestrian and bike access • Only small area available for

amenities



Site C

Year 2030: No. of Bus Routes = 6

No. of Bus Bays = 8


Fast Auto Loans


Proposed Intersection Improvements



& Crossings

Kiss & Ride Area


INTERMODALITY

South County Center Parking

Fence around KinderCare

LAND USE COMPATIBILITY

Green Space/ Trees

ENVIRONMENTAL Transit Center

Building


Amenity AMENITIES

Stormater Management/ Planting Areas



Site C Pros • Allows for 8 bus bays to

accommodate forecasted 2030 growth

• Efficient on-site bus circulation; multi-level design

• Potential for future neighborhood development

• Relatively large area available for amenities

• Requires acquisition and relocation of 1 property only; lowest cost

Cons • Limited bus access/egress;

requires intersection improvements at Buckman Rd (South) & Route 1

• Limited pedestrian and bike access • Site elevation difference requires

earthwork and retaining wall • 167 parking spaces required to be

taken from South County Center • Adjacent to Kinder Care facility



Site C Intersection Improvements

• Buckman Road/Richmond Highway Intersection problems – Difficult access to transit center – No right turn onto Buckman Road allowed – Insufficient queueing length for SB buses onto Richmond

Highway – Current intersection configuration not aligned with Radford Ave. – Improve pedestrian safety



Site C Intersection Improvements Plans



Neighborhood Development

½-mile buffer shown



Traffic Impacts • Projected Level of Service (LOS) indicate traffic

operations at sites A, B and C will be marginally affected when compared against the No-Build alternative

Site A Dart Drive & Richmond Highway Intersection

Site B Haft Drive / Richmond Highway Intersection

Site C Buckman Road (South) /

Richmond Highway Intersection



Environmental Impacts • Expect no significant environmental impacts associated

with the proposed improvements, including: Stormwater Management, noise and visual intrusion

• Expect to have appropriate mitigation for all potential environmental impacts

• May be required to perform further environmental investigation on Site A



Next Steps • Site Selection • Phase I Environmental Study

– Service Station at Site A

• Branding & Cultural Resources • Preliminary Engineering and NEPA Analysis of selected

site



We need your input… • What type or amenities are needed in your community? • Any details of this conceptual site plans that are of

concern to you? • What could be done to make this transit center more

convenient for you and your community? • How would you use this future transit facility?



Comments • Please fill out the comment forms

– On site: leave your written comments with one of the project team representatives

– Mail back to FCDOT postmarked by September 28, 2013

– E-mail to [email protected] by September 28, 2013, reference “RHTC Public Information Meeting” in the subject line

mailto:[email protected]



Questions and Answers

THANK YOU!

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Richmond Highway Transit Center Feasibility Study: Public Information Meeting