HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.08.16 TTAC Minutes
APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 2016 -10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicki Robrock
Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Chris O’Brien, Jason Havel,
Ron Knoche, Scott Sovers
Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker
North Liberty: None
Tiffin: None
University Heights: Wally Heitman
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: None
Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler
ECICOG: Brock Grenis
FHWA: None
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Emily Bothell,
Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF
MEETING MINUTES
There was one alternate at the meeting; Scott Sovers for Geoff Fruin (Iowa City).
Holderness motioned to approve the meeting minutes. Heitman seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING SCORING CRITERIA FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK
GRANT (STBG) PROGRAM AND TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SET-ASIDE
(TA SET-ASIDE) FUNDS ALLOCATED BY MPOJC
Ralston explained how projects previously funded by the MPO scored using the existing
scoring criteria versus how projects would score using the draft scoring criteria provided
to the Committee.
Ralston stated that the existing criteria and draft criteria are largely the same, except for
the addition of question 10 in the draft criteria regarding “local commitment”. The intent is
to use the same criteria for both STBG projects and Transportation Alternative projects.
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Staff asked for a recommendation from the Committee regarding the draft scoring
criteria to present to the Urbanized Area Policy Board.
Holderness commented on the weight given to system preservation as compared to
system expansion. Parker commented that system preservation criteria may be
applicable to areas not growing, but may not be applicable to growing areas like
Johnson County.
McClatchey asked what ‘improvement’ encompassed in question 4 of the draft scoring
criteria. Ralston stated improvement encompassed any work in an existing facility
corridor from patching to reconstruction.
O’Brien motioned to approve. McClatchey seconded the motion. Holderness and
Robrock opposed, the motion carried 9-2.
4. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL DESIGNATION OF CRITICAL URBAN
FREIGHT CORRIDORS IN THE MPO URBANIZED AREA AS REQUESTED BY THE
IOWA DOT
Neumann explained that the Iowa DOT is currently working on identifying Critical Urban
Freight Corridors within urban areas or MPOs as part of the National Highway Freight
Network, which will be included in the DOTs freight plan, updated every five years.
Designated corridors are eligible for funding allocation to the state over the next five
years as part of the FAST Act. FY2016 funding has already been allocated; corridors
provided by the MPO could be eligible for FY2017 funding. The deadline is December
2017 to get designations into the freight plan. Neumann explained the criteria for a road
designated as an Urban Freight Corridor. Any corridor designated and prioritized by the
MPO will be submitted to the Iowa DOT. Corridor designation is limited to 75 miles
statewide. The Iowa DOT will prioritize all Urban Freight Corridor routes on a statewide
list.
Neumann proposed four potential areas that could be classified as Urban Freight
Corridors. Areas identified as potential Urban Freight Corridors should be tied into the
national highway network (I-80/I-380). Projects designated as corridors are eligible for an
80-20 cost share (requiring 20% local match). Iowa DOT requested this information by
November 18th.
Knoche stated that he would like to see Taft Avenue added to the Scott 6 Industrial Park
route. Other Committee members expressed concerns over the proposed corridor
through Tiffin because of the schools. Neumann also stated that the coal route for the
University of Iowa power plant still needed to be identified.
Ralston stated that the MPO was still open to receiving proposals for Urban Freight
Corridors until the next meeting with the Policy Board.
5. UPDATE ON THE LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN REVISION PROCESS
AND DISCUSSION OF DRAFT MATERIALS
Nagle-Gamm explained that the Committee and Board previously approved the use of
nine guiding principles to provide a framework for the Long Range Plan. Nagle-Gamm
reviewed the ‘Health’ guiding principle chapter. Nagle-Gamm discussed performance
measures, a new requirement by the Federal Highway Administration/Iowa DOT that will
be implemented in the long range plan, and how it will be used to assess transportation
network.
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Nagle-Gamm reviewed the ‘Bicycling and Pedestrian Network’ Chapter, informing the
group of the results of a cyclist safety survey.
Nagle-Gamm provided a map to the committee which reflects the proposed projects in
the long range plan. One member brought up that some of the listed projects had
already been completed. Nagle-Gamm replied that they were still listed to ensure that
they meet all federal requirements during the transitions between long-range plans.
Nagle-Gamm highlighted the PCI map (Pavement Condition Index), showing the
condition of arterial roads in Johnson County. Nagle-Gamm added that traffic
transportation studies have expanded to include bicycles and pedestrians level of
service, in addition to vehicle level of service.
Nagle-Gamm updated the Committee on the overall progress of the long-range plan,
explain that in the winter, the plan will be organized into its final form and provided for
comment.
6. UPDATE ON I-380 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION & CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL
STUDY
Neumann updated the group on the Iowa DOT and ECICOG (East Central Iowa Council
of Governments) ridesharing programs. DOT and ECICOG held a promotional event on
October 20th announcing the new Corridor Rides car and vanpooling programs through
the DOT’s web-based ride sharing site.
Phase 2 of the CRANDIC Passenger Rail Study was presented to the stakeholders in
September with some discussion at the board level. Capital cost projections were down
to around $40 million, with the potential to be as low as $30 million with cost-saving
measures. General consensus among that board is that it warrants additional study.
Additional study could include ridership and revenue forecasting, cost/benefit analysis,
financial plan, and a phased implementation schedule which could include increased
service between Iowa City and North Liberty, with extensions to the Eastern Iowa Airport
and Cedar Rapids. Contact will be maintained between the stakeholders, DOT, and
CRANDIC.
Heitman asked if CRANDIC expected to make a profit from the venture. Neumann stated
that CRANDIC offered to fund the startup costs, which would then be paid back to
CRANDIC by stakeholders. CRANDIC would also operate the system and stakeholders
would pay for that service.
7. UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITIES
Neumann indicated that there was an update of recent activities in the packet.
O’Brien stated that Iowa City Transit’s triennial review will be May 3-4, conducting by the
FTA.
Sovers updated everyone on the progress of the Washington Street project. The project
was slightly behind schedule, but the hope was to be substantially completed by the end
of November.
Havel updated the Committee on the 1st Avenue grade separation project. The project is
close to completion, with a few finishing touches in early 2017 and also noted that
temporary pavement has been completed on the Gateway Project so that traffic can be
diverted and work continued through the winter.
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Parker stated that the Mehaffey Bridge Trail separation project was fully funded; final
design expected by the end of next summer. The Highway 965 bridge is expected to
open by the end of the week, officially by the end of November.
Heitman stated that the Sunset/Melrose intersection project is complete. McClatchey
commented on the LED lights and suggested that this should be modeled as a best
practice for other critical intersections in the urbanized area.
McClatchey updated the Committee on campus activities including the opening of the
Children’s Hospital and Pharmacy Building which will create challenges down the road.
Holderness stated that design work for Coral Ridge Avenue Phase 3 (Oakdale
Boulevard to Forevergreen Road) and 1st Avenue (6th Street to 9th Street) will begin in
the next few weeks, with construction beginning in 2018. Design work will also begin on
Clear Creek Trail, Phase 6 and 7.
Cutler stated that design work on the I-80/I-380 interchange continues. Work on the
Forevergreen Road/I-380 interchange will begin in the fall of 2017.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Knoche moved to adjourn; McClatchey seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at
11:28.