Tier 2 Public MeetingI-10 West Alternatives Analysis

November 6, 2008November 13, 2008

Project Status and Overview

I-10 Mainline Tier 2 EvaluationEvaluation CriteriaStation LocationsEnd of Line configuration

I-10 Downtown Tier 2 EvaluationEvaluation CriteriaTier 2 AlignmentsLRT Connections to CP/EV Starter Line

Next Steps

Agenda

Future Extension Corridors

I-10 West Study Area

I-10 West High Capacity Transit StudyProject Goals

Improve regional mobility

Enhance transit system connectivity

Provide access to corridor destinations and employment (State Capitol) and support economic development

Provide cost-effective transit improvements

Minimize environmental impacts

Alternative Analysis Process

Study Recommendations

Alignment/Route

Transit OptionsLight Rail TransitBus Rapid TransitLocal Bus

Preliminary Station Locations

Decision-Making Process

Stakeholder InputPublic Meetings

State, County, and City Departments

Neighborhood Groups

Special Interest Groups

One-on-one Meetings

Community Working Groups

Purpose and Role of the Community Working Group

Provide input and feedback to the Project Team during the Tier 2 Process.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Features

Electrified overhead wireDedicated right-of-way3 Car Train = 525 Passengers

Completed section of Washington St. - Phoenix

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Features

Exclusive lanes or roadway (50% minimum during peak periods)1 Bus = 60-80 Passengers

AND / ORTraffic signal prioritySpecial design (low floor)Substantial stationsSpecial branding/identityFrequent service

10-minute peak, 15-minute off-peak

Comparison of LRT and BRT

Lower, if demand is moderate

Lower, if demand is high

Long Term Costs

1,000 passengers5,000 passengersHourly Capacity in One Direction

Can use guideway or share lanes with cars

Restricted to guideway

Operational Flexibility

Limited opportunitySignificant opportunity

Economic Development

LowerHigherConstruction Cost

Bus Rapid Transit(BRT)

Light Rail Transit(LRT)

I-10 West: Approvals to Date

Recommendation for High Capacity Transit Improvements Recommendation for High Capacity Transit Improvements in the Iin the I--10 Right10 Right--ofof--Way west of IWay west of I--17:17:

Phoenix City Council Phoenix City Council –– April 2008April 2008METRO Board METRO Board –– June 2008June 2008MAG Regional Council MAG Regional Council –– July 2008July 2008

Mass Transit Median in I-10

50-foot median preserved for future mass transit as part of I-10 completion

I-10 Potential Station Area Locations

Tier 2 Downtown Alternatives

I-10 West Mainline

This process is highly interactive and seeks to determine:

Station Planning Process

Where stations should be located along the alignment

What functions each station will serve (regional park-and-ride, neighborhood serving, destination, special generator, etc…)

Mainline Station Evaluation Criteria

MOBILITYProjected daily station boardingsProximity to regional N/S arterialsBus routes serving the stationsNumber of deviated bus routesProximity to existing pedestrian routes

TRAFFICEase of traffic ingress/egressExisting traffic congestion in the station area

COMMUNITYCompatibility of loading areas with surrounding land useVacant land availability to meet parking requirements, bus facilities, etc.

NOTE: Station decisions along I-10 are important to coordinate based on proposed ADOT plans

DEMOGRAPHICSFuture population within ½ mile of station Future employment within ½ mile of station Percentage of households that are transit dependent within ½ mile of station

STATION COSTSStation development/property acquisition costsEnvironmental impactsImpacts to historic structures/buildings

PUBLIC INPUTProximity to sensitive land usesSupport of station concept received at stakeholder meetings

Mainline Station Evaluation Criteria

35th/39th Ave. Station Options35thAve

39thAve35th/39th Ave. Station Options

43rd/51st/59th Station Options43rd Ave

43rd/51st/59th Station Options51st Ave

43rd/51st/59th Station Options59th Ave

63rd/67th Station Options

63rd Ave

63rd/67th Station Options 67th Ave

79th Ave. Station Options

End of Line – I-10 Extension

Possible future high-capacity transit extension west along I-10

End of Line – North Extension

Possible future high-capacity transit north to Desert Sky Mall

End of Line – North Extension

Conceptual Station at

Desert Sky Mall

I-10 Mainline Next Steps

Present preliminary findings at upcoming public meetings

Further refine station concept plansMultiple park-and-ride locations Determine appropriate park-and-ride capacity based on potential ridershipDetermine appropriate number of stations and select locations

I-10 West Downtown

Tier 2 Downtown Alternatives

Tier 2 LRT Conceptual Alternatives

Tier 2 Conceptual LRT Evaluation Results

Remove: Madison and Jackson- Not as close to major employment- Limited space, Veterans Memorial CemeteryRemove: 17th Avenue- Very limited space- Heavy truck traffic- Neighborhood and elementary school impactsModify: Van Buren (turn South on 7th Ave)- Unable to make direct connection to Starter Line- Substantial width constraints 7th Ave to Central

Refined Tier 2 LRT Alternatives

Tier 2 Conceptual BRT Alternatives

Tier 2 Conceptual BRT Evaluation Results

Remove: I-10 BRT to Hance Park- Does not serve Capitol directly- Physical constraintsRemove: 17th Avenue- Very limited space and heavy truck trafficRemove: 15th Avenue, Van Buren, and Madison/Jackson- Does not serve Capitol as well as other alternativesRemove: Adams Street- Moves current bus routes off Washington/Jefferson

Refined Tier 2 BRT Alternatives

Downtown Key Issues – CWG

Location of Grand Avenue StationAvoid Elementary SchoolsMinimize Impacts to Historic NeighborhoodsHow to Best Serve Employment CentersTransit Technology (BRT vs. LRT)Economic Development PotentialCirculator Service Connection Integration with Capitol Mall Centennial Plan

Downtown Key Issues - Technical

Direct Connection to CP/EV Line at 1st/CentralUtility Relocation Concerns on 15th AvenueRight of Way ConstraintsReduction in Traffic LanesADOT I-17 Widening ProjectSeparation from Rail Yard and Tracks West of 19th AvenueTransit Technology (BRT vs. LRT)

I-10 West Downtown Next Steps

Document public meeting commentsIdentify preferred downtown alignments for LRT and BRTIdentify station locations along the preferred alignmentsExamine physical north/south connections to I-10Analyze LRT vs. BRT

Tier 2 Public MeetingsNovember 6th and 13th 2008

Complete Technical AnalysisStaff Recommendation for Locally Preferred Alternative (Early 2009)

Additional input from VPC and StakeholdersPublic Meetings (Spring 2009)

Present LPAFormal Adoption of LPA (Summer 2009)

I-10 West AA/EIS Next Steps