AGENDA DATE: 8/3/2016
TITLE:
Title
County Transportation Priorities - Approve Projects for HB2/Smart Scale Funding Requests.
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approve projects for which to request for State transportation funding (Smart Scale) and review transportation priorities
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Kamptner, Graham, Benish
PRESENTER (S): David Benish
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Staff has been following the schedule below in presenting information to the Board regarding transportation priorities, transportation funding mechanisms, and prioritization strategies in advance of asking the Board to provide direction on transportation priorities:
April 6: General overview and lessons learned from the first Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) project application cycle under Virginia’s new House Bill 2 (HB2) prioritization process (now referred to as the Smart Scale process). Initial input was received from the Board regarding the County Transportation Priorities List. The Board also provided comments and direction regarding projects recommended by County staff and VDOT staff for the next round of SYIP applications through Smart Scale.
May 4: Review of prioritization strategies and project recommendations for the Secondary Six Year Plan (SSYP), including road paving projects.
June 8: Public Hearing and approval of the VDOT Secondary Six Year Road Construction Program (SSYP).
August 3: Obtain approval of projects to be submitted for funding in the SYIP through Smart Scale applications (due September 30, 2016), and review and discuss the County Transportation Priorities list.
September/October: Complete review of County Transportation Priorities list.
As noted above, on April 6 the Board provided initial input/direction on projects recommended by County staff and VDOT staff for which to request funding in the upcoming SYIP review.
STRATEGIC PLAN: 2.Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: The focus of the current discussion is on projects to be submitted this year (2016) for funding through Virginia’s Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP), which allocates the majority of State transportation funding for transportation improvements. HB2 required the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to develop and use a scoring process to select projects for funding as part of the annual review of the SYIP. The HB2 prioritization process, now referred to as Smart Scale, evaluates projects using the following criteria: 1) congestion mitigation; 2) economic development; 3) accessibility; 4) safety; 5) environmental quality; and 6) land use coordination. Projects are also evaluated in terms of how each project meets State transportation plans, studies, and priorities, and its overall cost/benefit. The cost/benefit aspect of the evaluation favors those projects which have prior funding/resources investment or show a commitment of funding from a source other than State sources.
One change in the Smart Scale process is that, moving forward, applications for funding will be reviewed every other year. Therefore, applications submitted in September 2016 will be for funding in FY2017 and FY2018. The next round of applications will be due in September 2018 (for FY2019 and FY2020 funding). Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives applications will be accepted in 2016 (November 1) and in 2017. After 2017, Revenue Sharing and some other grant applications will also be received every other year.
Attachment A provides an overview of: 1) the projects recommended by staff to be submitted for funding for the 2017 Smart Scale application round; and 2) updates and recommended additions to the Transportation Priorities List (Attachment C).
BUDGET IMPACT: Smart Scale is the application process for State funding of transportation projects. In order to submit a competitive application, and/or to advance the project in a timely manner, the County’s commitment to share in the funding of the project may be needed. The County has contributed to previous projects through participation in the State Revenue Sharing Program (which requires a dollar for dollar local match).
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board: 1) approve the list of projects (Attachment B) to be submitted for funding for the 2017 Smart Scale application round; and 2) provide comment on the County Transportation Priorities List (Attachment C).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Staff Report (regarding projects recommended for 2017 Smart Scale funding application and recommended modifications to Transportation Priorities List
B - Staff-Recommended project list for 2017 Smart Scale funding application
C - Recommended Transportation Priorities List