Project Briefing Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Policy Board Project Briefing Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Policy Board December 16, 2009 / / Multi-Modal Corridor Study

/ Study Area 1 Multi-Modal Study by SHA and MTA for MDOT 30 miles of Limited Access Highway (I-270 and US 15) 1.5 miles of New Alignment Highway (MD 75) 14-mile Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT)

/ Purpose and Need Purpose To investigate options that address congestion and improve safety along the I-270/US 15 Corridor due to existing and projected growth within the corridor. Need The I-270/US 15 Corridor provides an essential connection between the Washington DC metropolitan area and central and western Maryland. It is an essential corridor for carrying local and long distance trips, both within and beyond the corridor. Purpose To investigate options that address congestion and improve safety along the I-270/US 15 Corridor due to existing and projected growth within the corridor. Need The I-270/US 15 Corridor provides an essential connection between the Washington DC metropolitan area and central and western Maryland. It is an essential corridor for carrying local and long distance trips, both within and beyond the corridor. 2

/ Project Goals Measures of Effectiveness Support Orderly Economic Growth Enhance Mobility Improve Goods Movement Preserve the Environment Optimize Public Investment Developed through coordination with the I-270/US 15 Focus Group. Measures of Effectiveness Support Orderly Economic Growth Enhance Mobility Improve Goods Movement Preserve the Environment Optimize Public Investment Developed through coordination with the I-270/US 15 Focus Group. 3

/ Corridor Alternatives Alternative 1 – No Build Alternative 2 – Transportation Systems Management / Travel Demand Management (TSM/TDM) Alternative 3A/B – Master Plan HOV Alternative Alternative 4A/B – Master Plan General Purpose Alternative Alternative 5A/B – HOV + General Purpose Alternative Alternative 5C – HOV + General Purpose Alternative, Express Bus Option Alternative 6A/B – Express Toll Lane (2+1) Alternative Alternative 7A/B – Express Toll Lane (2+2) Alternative Costs of highway build alternatives range between $ billion. Alternative 1 – No Build Alternative 2 – Transportation Systems Management / Travel Demand Management (TSM/TDM) Alternative 3A/B – Master Plan HOV Alternative Alternative 4A/B – Master Plan General Purpose Alternative Alternative 5A/B – HOV + General Purpose Alternative Alternative 5C – HOV + General Purpose Alternative, Express Bus Option Alternative 6A/B – Express Toll Lane (2+1) Alternative Alternative 7A/B – Express Toll Lane (2+2) Alternative Costs of highway build alternatives range between $ billion. 4

/ I-270 Managed Lanes: Part of a Bigger Picture Managed lane network would include: Virginia HOT Lanes (under construction) West Side Mobility Study (feasibility study) Intercounty Connector (under construction) I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal Study (in planning stage) Managed lane network would include: Virginia HOT Lanes (under construction) West Side Mobility Study (feasibility study) Intercounty Connector (under construction) I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal Study (in planning stage) 5

/ CCT Alignment 6

/ CCT Project Information 14 miles long with 17 stations (includes 4 beyond 2030) Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on a dedicated transitway Transit transfers at Germantown (local / express bus), Metropolitan Grove (MARC), Shady Grove (WMATA Red Line) Connects key growth areas identified by Montgomery County. Special study recently to evaluate Gaithersburg West Master Plan Proposed adjacent bike path for entire length 7

/ Results Table 8

/ Preferred Alternative Frederick Board of County Commissioners Montgomery County Council and County Executive City of Frederick City of Gaithersburg City of Rockville National Park Service (Monocacy National Battlefield) Comment Cards, E-Comments, and Public Testimony Frederick Board of County Commissioners Montgomery County Council and County Executive City of Frederick City of Gaithersburg City of Rockville National Park Service (Monocacy National Battlefield) Comment Cards, E-Comments, and Public Testimony Alternative 7B with HOT lanes; improved service to Park and Ride facilities; no reversible lanes Alternative 7A with two reversible HOT lanes; improved transit connections Build alternative; improve bus service Alternative 7A/B, against using police impound lot as BRT facility Alternative 7A with HOV lanes Favors Alternative 3 or 4, a maximum of six lanes through the battlefield; shift proposed transitway alignment Most comments focused on minimizing community and resource impacts of both transit/highway alternatives. 9

/ Project Schedule Agency Comments Selection of Preferred Alternative Agency Comments Selection of Preferred Alternative 10 December 1, 2009 Winter 2010 December 1, 2009 Winter 2010 Highway Path Update and Identify Minimization / Mitigation Opportunities Prepare Tier 1 FEIS / Record of Decision Identify Project Segments for Tier 2 Study and Design Transit Path Submit New Starts Application Preliminary Engineering and FEIS Preparation Final Design Secure Funding for Construction After the Preferred Alternative selection, FHWA and FTA recommend splitting the highway and transit projects.