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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.22.15 TTAC Minutes APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 -10:30 AM EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock Iowa City: Jason Havel, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Chris O’Brien, Scott Sovers, Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker North Liberty: Dean Wheatley Tiffin: None University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler RTBC: Terry Dahms ECICOG: Brock Grenis FHWA: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Neumann, Kent Ralston, Sarah Walz, Emily Bothell 1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 and recognized Scott Sovers as an alternate for Geoff Fruin (Iowa City). Knoche moved to approve the minutes for the Committee meeting on May 19, 2015; From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FY16-19 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) – REVISING THE PROJECT SCOPE OF TIFFIN’S CLEAR CREEK TRAIL PROJECT Neumann explained that the 2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) had been approved at the July 2015 meeting and an amendment was requested by the City of Tiffin for a revision to their Clear Creek Trail Project. This phase of the trail was planned to go from Ireland Avenue to East City Park which required the trail to cross the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Iowa Interstate Railroad would not allow the trail to cross with just a trail crossing and stated that it must be adjacent to a road. Therefore, this section of the trail project was rerouted to go near the water treatment facility located south of the tracks. There was discussion about how this change would affect the funding and costs of the project. It was clarified by Ralston that the newest phase would cost more but the phase 2 in which the change is occurring will shorten the trail so that altogether the cost will likely decrease. It was also assured that when this item is taken to the Policy Board both alignments will be shown. Holderness moved to approve the recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board; Parker seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE 2012-2040 MPOJC LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Ralston presented on amendments to the 2012-2040 MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan requested by the DOT. The first project requested is in regards to the Forevergreen Road and Interstate 380 interchange project that will cost approximately $14.5 million. It was requested that this project be moved up to the 2012 to 2020 time frame so that the Federal Highway Administration and DOT can work on the interchange justification report. The second amendment is Forevergreen Road reconstruction between Park Road and Jones Boulevard that will cost approximately $8 million. This project is not currently in the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan but is being requested as part of the Forevergreen Road and Interstate 380 interchange project. The third amendment is in regards to the Interstate 380 four lane to six lane expansion project that will span from the Interstate 80 interchange through the proposed Forevergreen Road and Interstate 380 interchange project. Ralston noted that for all three of the amendments a 30 day public comment period had been posted but no comments had been received as of the day of the meeting. Furthermore, an open house will be held prior to the September 30th Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting that will discuss the amendments and gather public comments. A question was asked regarding Forevergreen Road and its Federal Function Classification. Ralston responded that Forevergreen Road will not be included on the federal function class map yet because it is still acting as a local street and not a principle arterial which it will function as once projects involving the road are completed. Wheatley moved to approve the recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board; Knoche seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 5. UPDATE ON THE I-380 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY Neumann updated the Committee on the transit services that are planned to run between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Recommended routes for the two way bus service have been narrowed down to three routes that tie into existing local transit routes in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids. The service is proposed to run at a frequency of 30 minutes between 5AM and 9AM and between 3PM and 7PM. Estimated run times range from 47 to 52 minutes one way depending on the routes chosen. The fare each way will be 7 dollars. The service is planned to be established by 2017 a year before the start of construction on the I-80/I-380 interchange. The DOT is also working on ride matching software for a carpooling program that should be functioning by October 2015. Vanpooling will also be an alternate option; ECCOG who is applying for funding for 26 vans. 3 6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL STUDY Neumann updated the Committee on the Crandic passenger rail that is proposed for service between Iowa City and the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. A three phase feasibility study is taking place. Phase one will look at existing conditions, corridor characteristics, service frequencies, service capacities and regulatory issues, cost estimates, prior passenger rail studies, federal regulatory issues, and funding availability. Completion of phase two and three will depend on outcomes of phase one. 7. UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION Bothell updated the Committee on current transportation legislation including the third extension of MAP 21 that will extend the program 3 months untill October 2015. Additionally the Senate passed the DRIVE Act in July authorizing surface transportation funding for six years; the house has yet to take a stance on this act. 8. UPDATE ON 2014 DOT TRAFFIC COUNTS/DATA Bothell updated the Committee on the completion of a map compiling metro area ADT counts as well as the creation of an interactive traffic counts map. The ADT map shows 2014 data and the change in ADTs from 2013 to 2014. Bothell presented and explained how the interactive map works and the data included in the map. 9. UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITES Ralston mentioned that the MPO is working on their Long Range Transportation Plan and hoped that communities would include the MPO in local meetings so that the MPO and the plan can be publicized. Additionally, engineering staff was given letters that awarded Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Transportation Alternative Program funding for FY19 and 20. A new policy requires a signature verifying the amount of funding and the year that it is programed for. Parker updated the Committee on Mehaffey Bridge which is nearing completion. There will be a ribbon cutting on October 21st. Additionally, IWV Road to the landfill should be completed and open in 2 to 3 weeks. Havel updated the Committee on Moss Ridge Road, the pedestrian bridge on Dubuque Street over Interstate 80, and Sycamore Street access to the school. From updated the Committee on the beginning of construction on One University Place in University Heights that they hope to complete partially next fall. McClatchey updated the Committee on the opening of a University four level underground ramp in October. Knoche updated on Gateway the Dubuque Street elevation project. Robrock updated on the Intermodal facility opening at the end of August with a ribbon cutting at the end of October. Holderness updated the Committee on Coral Ridge Avenue construction. Cutler announced a meeting for the Interstate 80 and Interstate 380 informational meeting for Tuesday September 29 at Coralville Library at 6:30. 4 10. OTHER BUSINESS None 11. ADJOURNMENT Parker moved to adjourn; Knoche seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:15.