Citizens Advisory CommitteeQuarterly Update

Bill Van Meter, Assistant General Manager, Planning

September 19, 2012

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The RTD FasTracks Plan• 122 miles of new light rail

and commuter rail

• 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service

• 31 new park-n-Rides; over 21,000 new spaces

• Enhanced Bus Network & Transit Hubs (FastConnects)

• Redevelopment of Denver Union Station

• 50+ new rail and/or BRT stations for Transit Oriented Communities opportunities

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FasTracks Guiding Principles• RTD staff uses the Guiding Principles to make

decisions about implementing FasTracks

– Ensure every step contributes to the full vision

– Focus money available to the greatest good

– Spend public money wisely

– Maximize outside funding before going to taxpayers

– Deliver key investments in all corridors

Build As Much As We Can As Fast As We Can Until It Is All Done!

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On-going FasTracks Implementation• Continue implementing $4.2 billion worth of FasTracks projects

• Continue working with RTD Board and stakeholders to aggressively seek alternative funding sources for the program through grants, public private partnerships, unsolicited proposals, etc.

• Pursue a future sales and use tax election when the region is ready– Do not assume a specific date for a future election in upcoming submittals to

DRCOG

• Identify key short-term decisions for program implementation

• Provide monthly updates to the RTD Board on the plan moving forward

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RTP Amendment Overview• RTD’s current assumption is to complete all of FasTracks with

the existing 0.4 percent sales and use tax

– RTD Board and stakeholders determined timing is not right to pursue a 2012 election; Board has not identified a future election year

• Due to this decision, RTD needs to update DRCOG’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which identifies transportation projects that can be funded through 2035

– The RTP must be fiscally constrained to keep the entire region in line for federal funding

– RTD, CDOT, and the region’s cities and counties must submit specific project lists and construction timeframes for all projects to be completed prior to 2035 to ensure the RTP remains fiscally constrained

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RTP Amendment Overview (cont.)• RTD submitted an RTP Amendment in August 2012

– This submittal represented a snap-shot in time, and will change as new opportunities arise

– A full SB 208 report will be submitted in early 2014

• The projects identified for completion by 2035 are based on their ability to leverage public/private funds and/or receive federal grants

• The project list and placeholder schedule can be revised through future RTP Amendments

• Staff requests formal recommendation tonight from the FasTracks Monitoring Committee on the proposed content of the RTP Amendment

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List of Projects for RTP Amendment and Rationale• Currently committed projects: Covers projects under construction and

those funded through the $305 M

• I-225: RTD Board has approved construction of the entire line

• North Metro DUS to 72nd: Completing this segment positions North Metro for a future New Starts grant for the rest of the project

• US 36 Bus Rapid Transit to Table Mesa (remaining commitment): Allows RTD to continue partnering with CDOT and HPTE to leverage state funding and toll revenues

• Southeast Extension: Allows RTD to begin the New Starts grant application process

– Process takes several years to complete; no Board decision on local match for 15 – 18 months

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RTP Amendment: Financial PlanResults Assuming No Additional Revenues

2013 – 2018 2018 – 2030 2030 – 2035 POST RTP2035 – 2044

West Rail Line (2013)

Central Corridor Planning Study (2012/2013)

Central Extension

US 36 Bus Rapid Transit: $120 M for Managed Lanes to 88th Street (2012 –

2014) and $15M for Managed Lanes to Table Mesa (2014 – 2015)

US 36: Remaining RTD Commitment

Denver Union Station (2015)

Northwest Rail: Longmont Station (2015)Northwest Rail: Westminster to

Longmont

Southwest Corridor Extension: UP Rail Line Relocation (2015)

Southwest Extension

Eagle Project (2016)

I-225 (2016)

Southeast Extension: Completion of New Starts Application (2016)

Southeast Extension

North Metro: Construction to Stock Show (2017)

North Metro: Stock Show to 72nd

North Metro: 72nd to 162nd

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Opportunities for Schedule Acceleration• Successful future sales tax election

– Potential RTD initiative

– Potential RTD/CDOT initiative

• Better than expected sales tax revenues

• Additional grants, unsolicited proposals or public-private partnerships

• Current construction projects completed under budget

• Partnering with our stakeholders to make every dollar count through – Early agreement on project scope and no additional changes during construction

– Timely reviews and permit approvals

– Maximizing opportunities for local match

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Looking Ahead

• February 2013: RTP Amendment approval by DRCOG

• Ongoing: Regional dialogue on implementation of the entire FasTracks program

• February 2014: RTD submittal of a new SB 208 report

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Marking Off Milestones

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Questions?