Study Update - July 2012

The Broad Street Rapid Transit Study continues to advance through the evaluation of alternatives. This process has taken some extra time in order to address neighborhood concerns and funding questions. Stakeholder engagement has continued steadily since the last public meetings were held, and a third round of public meetings will be held this fall. By late summer or early fall, the Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Assessment documents will be released for public review and comment. The next step will be to select a Locally Preferred Alternative and to submit an application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for acceptance into the Small Starts transit funding program. Preparation of the FTA application is anticipated to occur in the fall and winter months of 2012. If the application proceeds quickly and is accepted by FTA, and if state and local matching funds are secured, the project would proceed to design. Construction would follow, likely beginning in late 2014 or 2015.

The cost of the project as proposed, with service from Willow Lawn in the west to Rockett’s Landing in the east, including 14 stations and over 3 miles of dedicated travel lanes, has an estimated construction cost of $68 million. Of this amount, approximately 25%, or $17 million, would need to be provided by local sources. Operation of the service would cost $4-5 million per year, with some portion anticipated to be covered by fares and the remainder to be provided annually from local funding sources.

Frequently Asked Questions - New

What is the study area?

This study will focus on a 7-mile section between Willow Lawn and Rocketts Landing. This area is the most congested and has the highest passenger boardings on GRTC’s bus network.
Map of Study Area 

What’s the Purpose of this Study?

The purpose of this study is to identify a package of improvements that will provide rapid, reliable transit service to increase overall mobility and serve existing patterns of transit-oriented development and redevelopment in the corridor.

This study will seek to identify the transit improvement(s) best able to serve the following key purposes:

 

Over the last decade, three transportation decision-makers – GRTC Transit System, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (RAMPO) -- have worked to devise an integrated strategy for investment in a regional transit infrastructure.

Though the following three reports were completed independently of each other, they are clearly complementary, frequently cross-referencing each other to demonstrate how they support a broader vision. In these plans to upgrade the region’s transit options, Broad Street consistently emerged as a prime candidate for transit improvement, with frequent recommendations that the corridor proceed to the next phase of study.

Anyone who lives in the Richmond area knows that the Broad Street corridor is key to a regional transit vision.

What are the study goals?

With assistance from the public, the study team will identify improvements that will provide rapid, reliable transit service in order to increase overall mobility in the corridor.

Goals

Objectives

Improve local and regional mobility
  • Increase transit ridership
  • Improve access to the regional transit network
  • Improve transit service in high ridership areas
  • Decrease travel times in the study area
  • Increase transit reliability and on-time performance
  • Minimize negative impact on transit and auto operations in the corridor
  • Increase transportation system productivity (passengers per hour) within the corridor

Support economic development along the corridor
  • Improve transit access to existing and future developments
  • Create connections between transit and centers of employment, education, residence, shopping, culture and entertainment
  • Provide opportunities for joint development of transit stations and facilities

Promote livable, transit-oriented development

  • Provide high-capacity transit facilities at locations where existing and future land uses make them mutually supportive
  • Promote improved pedestrian connectivity between transit services and adjoining land uses
  • Encourage transit usage for different trip types and purposes

Create a multi-modal transportation system with attractive travel choices

  • Create a premium transit route with service characteristics that make it competitive with the private automobile
  • Integrate premium transit service with local bus, bicycle, pedestrian, private automobile and intercity travel modes
  • Provide safe, convenient and attractive transfer facilities
  • Create opportunities for future upgrades or additional premium transit services

Optimize return on public investment
  • Develop cost-effective transit solutions
  • Capitalize on existing local and regional transit facilities and operations
  • Support state, regional and local plans
  • Maximize funding opportunities from state, local, and federal sources

Enhance environmental quality
  • Minimize or mitigate negative impacts to the human and natural environment
  • Contribute to improvements in regional air quality

 

Who is involved in this study?

GRTC Transit System and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are managing the Broad Street Rapid Transit Study with assistance and guidance provided by two committees:  the Policy Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee. 

Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) - The PAC provides overall direction for this study and ultimately will endorse the Locally Preferred Alternative and financing for the proposed project. The PAC comprises representatives of the jurisdictions and transportation agencies involved in the study.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) - The TAC oversees the technical analysis, foster interagency coordination, and recommend action by the PAC. The TAC comprises technical staff of the jurisdictions and agencies involved in the project.