At its monthly meeting on April 19, members of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved support for 10 local planning projects as part of its Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program. Funding assistance provided to these projects through the TLC Program totaled $755,000.

Since 2007, the TLC Program has provided technical assistance to local jurisdictions for planning projects that promote walkable, mixed-use communities and support a variety of transportation options. Through the program, projects are awarded consultant assistance of $30,000 to $80,000 for planning or design projects, and up to $80,000 for design or preliminary engineering projects. With this recent action, a total of 177 projects have been supported by the TLC program.

COG and TPB planning concepts, which identify optimal locations regionwide for investment and growth, informed the selection process. All 10 projects are in or near Activity Centers or positively affect Activity Centers. Additionally, 9 projects are in or near Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs) or positively affect EEAs. 9 projects are in or near high-capacity transit station areas, and 6 of these are in or near Transit Access Focus Areas (TAFAs). All 10 projects directly or indirectly support the National Capital Trail Network (NCTN).

The following projects were approved for funding:
 

East Street Redesign

City of Frederick, $80,000

This project will fund 30%-design plans to construct recommendations from a FY 2022 TLC study which called for new sidewalks, protected bikeways, and pedestrian crossing improvements. The project will focus on how to accommodate active industry as part of a pedestrian-friendly streetscape.

Safe Routes to School Priority Improvements Study

Gaithersburg, $80,000

For three selected schools, the study will identify sidewalk gaps and other pedestrian needs, and will prioritize steps for implementation. The study will develop a prioritization methodology that can be applied to the other schools in the city.

FLEX Microtransit Post-COVID Planning Study

Montgomery County, $60,000

This study will evaluate travel behaviors and conditions, market opportunities, and service delivery options to reimagine FLEX for the future. The study will build upon a FY 2019 TLC-funded study which evaluated the first six months of FLEX and identified new areas for possible expansion.
 

Bus Stop Safety and Accessibility Study

Prince George's, $80,000

This study will develop a framework for making decisions for quick-build bus stop projects that improve the speed, efficiency and reliability of bus service where delays are the greatest or stops lack accessible features. The project will develop a bus stop safety and accessibility prioritization tool and a checklist that will be used to identify specific recommendations along a selected number of corridors, but which can also be used throughout the county to identify and implement bus stops improvements.
 

Mannakee Street Complete Streets Feasibility Study

Rockville, $80,000

This study will assess possible pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities that could be added to Mannakee Street in the City of Rockville, as well as determine the impact of these new facilities on existing transportation patterns.
 

Laurel Avenue Street Closure Traffic Study

Takoma Park, $60,000

In a post-COVID context, this study will analyze the potential impact of a full closure of Laurel Avenue in Takoma Park. To assess whether a full closure for the creation of a public plaza is viable, this study will provide a comprehensive understanding of the traffic impacts of such a dramatic reorientation of road use, including potential roadway redesigns, intersection changes, signage, and traffic patterns.
 

South Pickett Street Corridor Improvements Study

Alexandria, $80,000

This study will produce conceptual design plans to enhance mobility, access, safety, and comfort for all roadway users on South Pickett Street between Duke Street and Edsall Road. Improvements may include bicycle lanes, new crosswalks, enhancements to existing crosswalks, medians, landscaping, signs, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, signal timing modifications, bus stop improvements, and sidewalk improvements.
 

Ped/Bike Connection Between the W&OD Trail and West End Feasibility Study

Falls Church, $80,000

The study will look at options for providing an East-West pedestrian and bicycle connection between the W&OD Trail and the city’s West End. The study will assist the city in identifying pathways, general design of those pathways, and other recommended improvements for the connection.
 

Yorkshire Multimodal Corridor Planning Study

Prince William County, $80,000

The Yorkshire corridor is both a regional Activity Center and an Equity Emphasis Area with a large immigrant population, yet it is extremely pedestrian-unfriendly. As improvements to Route 28 occur within and around this corridor, this study will evaluate opportunities to create a more walkable, transit-oriented corridor to include bus pull-off areas, bus shelters, and pedestrian/bicycle facilities/amenities.
 

Green Infrastructure Study

Prince William County, $75,000

This project will establish a process for ensuring the infrastructure constructed is in alignment with locally adopted goals for sustainability, resiliency, and climate change mitigation. The project will evaluate green infrastructure alternatives, including permeable surfaces, rain gardens and landscaping.

MORE: Transportation Land-Use Connections Program