TIGER on the I-66 Corridor?

Last week was the deadline to apply for grants under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, part of the federal stimulus packaged passed earlier this year. The criteria by which TIGER grant proposals are judged are many, but long-term benefit gains with short-term implementation (i.e., projects that can begin now), economy-stimulating potential, and innovation look like they lead the list. The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments put together a proposal of three packages, each with some impact on the I-66 corridor.

The first package describes a network of priority bus corridors, the centerpiece of which is the K Street Transitway subpackage focused on improving accessibility and mobility in the city core, the final destination for many surburban commuters. The only component actually on I-66 is a ramp in the median of I-66 providing direct access to and from the left express (HOV) lanes to the Vienna Metrorail station. That could mean big time savings for commuter buses that get caught in the rush-hour backup around the Nutley Street exit. It can also mean less disruption to traffic and a safer situation for buses trying to weave from leftmost HOV lane to the rightmost turn lane.

Also mentioned in the package are new park-and-ride lots and information technology improvements such as real-time bus information (with a mobile web application), bus information displays, cameras on buses, computer-aided distpatch and automatic vehicle location technology, and clean-fuel bus replacements.

The second package is a regional bicycle-sharing program that would put bike-share stations across the region, including Arlington County and the City of Fairfax. The region-wide program also includes so-called high-tech intermodal smart hubs that provide transit information and facilitate transfer from different modes (such a bicycle to Metrorail or Zipcar).

The third package details some accessibilty and capacity improvements to the overcrowded Rosslyn Metrorail station.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce which projects will receive TIGER grants between September 22, 2009, and February 17, 2009.

• U.S. DOT: "TIGER Grants Frequently Asked Questions"
• MWCOG [PDF]: "Priority Bus Transit in the National Capital Region" (proposal overview)
• BeyondDC: "TIGER!"
• Greater Greater Washington: "Regional Plan Recommends Regional Bike Sharing but Disjointed Bus Improvements"
• The Washington Post: "A Fast Track to a Busway" (July 15, 2009)

Graphic credits: diagram of proposed priority bus corridors by MWCOG, Montreal Bixi bike-sharing by Comrogues).

Post-Labor Day Roundup

Stimulus now hitting commuter rail. Virginia Railway Express is reported to receive $9.8 million in federal stimulus money for 12 new locomotives and a canopy at the Manassas Park station. A VRE spokesman said via The Washington Post that new running stock is more efficient and can pull more passengers than the 20 aged locomotives currently in use. VRE operates commuter trains along the I-66 and I-95/I-395 corridors to downtown D.C.

• The Post: "Two Transit Agencies Get $14 Million From Stimulus"

Ridership is up across the state but not so much in Northern Virginia. So says a recent transportation report, according to Inside NOVA. VRE ridership is up, and buses in the Prince William area are also seeing a modest increase, but ridership in Fairfax County and Alexandria is actually a bit down.

• Inside NOVA: "State Transit Ridership Slowly Increases"

It's a bad year for pedestrians in Fairfax County. Fatalities are way up. Please drive and walk safely.

• The Fairfax County Times: "Pedestrian Deaths Soar"

An I-66 corridor transit study will be complete this fall. And the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will be hosting public information meetings to review findings and receive comments in the last two weeks of September. The study was commisioned to evaluate short- and midterm improvements to the corridor, such as bus rapid transit, car- and vanpooling, and park-and-rides.

• DRPT: I-66 Transit/Transportation Demand Management Study

A Virginia megaproject has been defered. Plans for high occupancy toll lanes on I-395 and I-95 have been put on hold and a Virginia official explained via The Washington Examiner that the current credit market and community concerns are big factors in the reassessment. One such concern is Arlington County gearing up for a lawsuit in opposition. Residents of Arlington and Alexandria are alarmed over the potential negative impact HOT lane construction would have on their communities, especially around Shirlington Circle.

• The Examiner: "HOT Lanes on I-95/395 Put on Hold"
• Greater Greater Washington:"Economy, Opposition Push VDOT to Postpone I-95/395 HOT Lanes"
• Alexandria Gazette Packet: "A HOT Mess (Alexandria leaders consider joining a lawsuit Arlington County is preparing against feds)"

The HOT lanes currently under construction on I-495 (between the Dulles Toll Road and the Springfield interchange) are unaffected by the I-395 decision.