At the April board meeting, the TPB approved nine projects for Transportation Land-Use Connections funding, approved the regional 2024 Bike to Work Day proclamation, and received two updates related to Visualize 2050: an overview of the proposed Maryland Express Lanes and a briefing on comments received on draft project inputs for Visualize 2050 and the FY 2026 – 2029 Transportation Improvement Program.

Meeting agenda, materials, and recording

Chair’s Remarks

TPB Vice Chair James Walkinshaw commented that the joint work of the COG and WMATA boards to support a unified vision for transit is an important initiative, and that he and other jurisdictional representatives who serve on the COG and TPB boards will be enthusiastic to see all organizations working together to discuss public transportation funding and service. The WMATA and COG boards will convene May 1 to discuss how to provide and fund transit in the region. For more information about the partnership and upcoming meeting, see the April 10 COG news release and the May 1 update on the historic event.  

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of Regional Bike to Work Day 2024 Proclamation

TPB Transportation Operations Programs Director Daniel Sheehan and LaToya Crump, Bike to Work Day Committee Chair, announced that Bike to Work Day will take place on May 17, 2024. Twenty-three jurisdictions will host 100 pit stops, and this year’s registration goal is 16,000 participants. Bike to Work Day registration is free and open to cyclists of all abilities. The TPB unanimously approved the proclamation, and TPB Vice Chair Walkinshaw encouraged all TPB member jurisdictions to adopt similar proclamations.

TPB Vice Chair James Walkinshaw signing the 2024 Bike to Work Day proclamation (COG)
 

Approval of FY 2025 TLC Technical Assistance Recipients

The TPB approved Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program funding for nine projects in the region (listed below). TLC is funding $685,000 this fiscal year, building on a legacy of funding 177 projects since the program began in 2007. The nine projects are listed in the table below. Descriptions of individual projects are provided in the April 17 COG news release.
 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ON THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Visualize 2050 Development: Overview of Maryland Express Lane Projects Proposed for Visualize 2050  

William Pines, Administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration, and Drew Morrison, Maryland Department of Transportation Policy Advisor for Planning and Project Development, presented a frequently asked question (FAQ) memo prepared in coordination with TPB staff. The overview was designed as an update on the proposed improvements for the American Legion Bridge, I-495, and I-270.

During 2023 Maryland open houses and two public meetings in Virginia, the public expressed strong support for bicycle and pedestrian connections across the Potomac River, more transit options crossing the river, and addressing the aging infrastructure of the American Legion Bridge. Pines emphasized that Maryland is taking a comprehensive approach that considers multimodal projects along the corridor. Among the options under consideration are improvements to the MARC Brunswick Line, bus rapid transit, commuter bus, use of managed lanes, transit-oriented development near Metro stations, and bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Based on the FAQ, which includes a map with lettered project segments, MDOT is currently taking the following approach:

• Moving forward with a multimodal study on I-270 North of the I-370 Intercounty Connector interchange in fall 2024 (E on map)
• Advancing design on a portion of the study including the American Legion Bridge (A and B on map)
• Launching the I-270 North study west of the spur to Frederick (beyond map border)
• Work is not advancing on the section between I-270 at the “Y” split with I-495 and I-370 (C and D on map), but MDOT will continue to engage with stakeholders and local adjacent property owners.
• Maryland is exploring all funding options for constructing the replacement of the American Legion Bridge including applying for federal grant opportunities.

The American Legion Bridge is projected to be in poor condition within a 10-year timeframe. Pines noted that immediate efforts in Maryland are focused on the salvage and rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge; however, he stated, “We know the infrastructure of the American Legion Bridge, 495, and 270 corridors needs to be addressed to support the needs of the community, and MDOT is committed to continue the program…to deliver the long-needed replacement of the American Legion Bridge.”

TPB member questions and comments focused on the current inclusion of the Maryland section between I-270 at the “Y” split with I-495 and I-370 (C and D on map) in the Visualize 2050 draft project input list and the Virginia Southside project on I-495 including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. For the audio recording of the Maryland update and all discussion received for the agenda item, click the livestream starting at the 1:01:27 mark.

Briefing on Comments Received on the Draft Project Inputs and Scope of Work for the Air Quality Conformity Analysis of Visualize 2050 and the FY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

TPB Planning Manager Cristina Finch provided an update on the comments received during the March Visualize 2050 comment period ahead of the TPB board’s Visualize 2050 project input vote on May 15. The final agreed-to list of transportation projects will inform the Air Quality Conformity input table and the technical scope of work for the Air Quality analysis. As noted in Finch’s presentation to the TPB board, the focus of the March comment period was on projects that are regionally significant for potential air quality impacts—this includes projects that add capacity to the existing transportation system. The air quality conformity analysis will take about 10 months to complete after the May vote and must be finished before the plan can be adopted.

The March 30-day Visualize 2050 comment period was promoted through a variety of communications channels, and the public was encouraged to provide feedback through an interactive online comment form. The TPB received a total of 893 comments through the MetroQuest form, email, and in-person comments.

Key takeaways from the comment period:

• Many commenters showed support or opposition to a project based on type rather than application of the project type at a particular location or for particular reason.
• Concerns shared by the public during the comment period include: the effectiveness of express toll lanes to reduce congestion, comments that roadway widenings encourage more vehicle trips and increase carbon pollution, not enough transit projects are being done or not soon enough, and bicycle and pedestrian projects are not included on the list for comment.   

FAQ Resources

In response to questions received from board members and the public during the comment period, TPB staff posted three FAQs to the Visualize 2050 website in April:

Visualize 2050 National Capital Region Transportation Plan General FAQ
Maryland Express Lanes FAQ
March 2024 Comment Period FAQ

Upcoming Visualize 2050 Steps  

What’s next for Visualize 2050? The following steps are on the calendar for TPB members and staff:

May 2024

• At the May 15 meeting, the TPB will be asked to take action on the Air Quality Conformity Scope of Work and project inputs

• TPB staff begins performance and air quality analysis of Visualize 2050 and the FY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program

June 2024

• Deadline to submit remaining transportation that are not significant for air quality analysis to the project database is June 28

For audio of the Visualize 2050 overview and discussion, click on the April 17 livestream starting at the 1:28:15 mark.

Committee and Director’s Report Highlights

TPB Technical Committee, TPB Community Advisory Committee, TPB Access for All Advisory Committee, Steering Committee, and Director’s reports are available on the April TPB meeting page.

Steering Committee and Director’s Report Highlights

Kanti Srikanth reported the following: 

• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendments were approved to amend funding levels for three Maryland projects: Areawide safety and spot improvements, a new Charles County bus operations and maintenance facility, and for the Lottsford Road Bridge project in Prince George’s County. In addition, a TIP amendment was approved to add federal funding for the Virginia Railway Express Franconia-Springfield station improvements.

• TPB letters of support were prepared for the:
  • FY 2024 application by the Town of Herndon for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program grant to enable the development of a Transportation Safety Action Plan.
  • FY 2024 Low or No Emission (Low-No) grant and Bus and Bus Facilities grant to procure two electric buses by Frederick County, Maryland.
  • Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) application to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation's Health program to fund a Capacity Building Assistance effort.
• Update on WMATA budget and COG coordination:
  After an 8-month long comment period, the WMATA Board is expected to approve a final FY 2025 budget on April 25. During the budget review process, the COG and WMATA boards articulated the need to undertake a comprehensive examination of public transportation in the region, transit funding, operations, and governance structure to build a long-term cost and service model. The COG and WMATA boards will meet on May 1 to discuss a unified vision for transit service in the region.
   
• On March 29, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3”, that establishes national greenhouse gas pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032. The final rule is pending publication in the Federal Register.

• Upcoming Events:
  • The Spring 2024 Street Smart campaign kicks off April 21 and runs through May 19. The campaign’s objective is to raise awareness of bicycle and pedestrian safety issues and increased enforcement of laws that protect people walking and biking.
  • 2024 Bike to Work Day will be held on May 17. Learn more and register.
  • The Maryland Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) application period is open April 1 – May 15. The program funds smaller-scale capital improvement projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails, and safe routes to school (SRTS) projects. For more information, see the MDOT website or contact John Swanson, TPB Planner, at jswanson@mwcog.org.

Item 10, Carbon Reduction Program: Maryland Department of Transportation, and Item 11 Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Final Priority Climate Action Plan were postponed until a future meeting.

NEXT MEETING

The next TPB meeting is scheduled for May 15 at 12:00 P.M. A YouTube livestream option is available for all TPB board meetings. To receive additional TPB updates in your inbox, subscribe to TPB News.