EASTRIDGE TO BART REGIONAL CONNECTOR POLICY ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, March 21, 2018 4:00 PM Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium County Government Center 70 West Hedding Street San Jose, CA AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS This portion of the agenda is reserved for persons desiring to address the Committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to 2 minutes. The law does not permit Committee action or extended discussion on any item not on the agenda except under special circumstances. If Committee action is requested, the matter can be placed on the next agenda. All statements that require a response will be deferred to staff for reply in writing. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY CONSENT AGENDA 4. ACTION ITEM - Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 20, 2018. REGULAR AGENDA 5. ACTION ITEM - Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors: 1) Approve the design change of the light rail vertical alignment at the Ocala Avenue and Cunningham Avenue intersections to grade separated, resulting in an increase of 1.2 miles of aerial guideway and a final configuration with aerial alignment for the entire 2.3 mile extension of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project; and 2) Approve funding strategy that includes use of Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) Local Partnership Program (LPP) Formula (FY17/18 and FY18/19) funds in the amount of $9 million and the use of 2000 Measure A funds in the amount of $67 million to fund the increased capital cost of $76 million for the design change.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board March 21, 2018 6. INFORMATION ITEM -Receive the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project Status Update. 7. INFORMATION ITEM -Receive an update on the Santa Clara-Alum Rock Bus Rapid Transit Project. (Verbal Report) OTHER 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. ADJOURN In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; VTA will make reasonable arrangements to ensure meaningful access to its meetings for persons who have disabilities and for persons with limited English proficiency who need translation and interpretation services. Individuals requiring ADA accommodations should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. Individuals requiring language assistance should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 72-hours prior to the meeting. The Board Secretary may be contacted at (408) 321-5680 or e-mail: board.secretary@vta.org <mailto:board.secretary@vta.org> or (408) 321-2330 (TTY only). VTA s home page is on the web at: www.vta.org <http://www.vta.org/> or visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/scvta <http://www.facebook.com/scvta>. (408) 321-2300: 中文 / Español / 日本語 / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / Tagalog. All reports for items on the open meeting agenda are available for review in the Board Secretary s Office, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California, (408) 321-5680, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the meeting. This information is available on VTA s website at http://www.vta.org. and also at the meeting. Page 2
Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board CALL TO ORDER Tuesday, February 20, 2018 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board was called to order at 10:08 a.m. by Chairperson Cortese in Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, County Government Center, San Jose, California. 1. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Sylvia Arenas Member Absent Magdalena Carrasco Vice Chairperson Present Cindy Chavez Member Present David Cortese Chairperson Present A quorum was present. 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS There were no Public Presentations. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY There were no Orders of the Day. CONSENT AGENDA 4. Regular Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2017 M/S/C (Carrasco/Chavez) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2017. NOTE: M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. 2018 Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board Meeting Schedule M/S/C (Carrasco/Chavez) to approve the 2018 Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board Meeting Schedule. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Agenda Item #4-5 MOVER: Magdalena Carrasco, Vice Chairperson SECONDER: Cindy Chavez, Member AYES: Carrasco, Chavez, Cortese NOES: None ABSENT: Arenas REGULAR AGENDA 6. Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, Capitol Expressway LRT Extension Financing Status Update Jim Lawson, Government Affairs Director & Executive Policy Advisor, provided an overview of highlights of the last meeting. Ken Ronsee, Deputy Director, Construction, Engineering and Transportation, provided the staff report highlighting the following possible financing alternatives: 1) reduce project contingency; 2) pursue federal funding; 3) increase amount for Regional Measure 3 (RM3) funding; 4) other grant funds; 5) 2000 Measure A, and; 6) recommendation for proposed project funding. Mr. Lawson added, should the Committee recommend, the VTA Board would be asked to make a budget adjustment in the July/August timeframe by precluding those savings from the BART extension. Members of the Committee and staff discussed the following: 1) budget cycle timeline, and; 2) request the Board to formally adopt the funding plan for the EBRC Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project (LRT). Public Comment Roland Lebrun, Interested Citizen, provided the following comments: 1) advocated for a future light rail extension along Capitol Expressway eventually connecting to the existing Capitol LRT station; 2) expressed concern on the high project costs and commented it is an irresponsible use of Measure A funds; 3) lack of South County project prioritization, and; 4) suggested prioritizing projects in terms of congestion management relief. Member Chavez noted the Committee s general direction is to request the following: 1) include in the March 21, 2018 staff report the prior Board s actions, which prioritized Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board Minutes Page 2 of 3
the project, and; 2) bring this item to the Board, including the associated budget amendment, earlier than the normal budget schedule. On Order of Chairperson Cortese, and there being no objection, the Committee received the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, Capitol Expressway LRT Extension Financing Status Update. 7. Pedestrian Overcrossing at Story Road OTHER Mr. Ronsee provided a verbal report and a handout entitled Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project, highlighting: 1) Simulated Aerial View of Story Station; 2) Story Station Pedestrian Bridge Elevation/Story Station Simulated Top View, and; 3) Outrigger Bents Typical/Bridge Over Story Road. Committee Members and staff discussed the following: 1) encouraged adding architectural creativity and nuances for a pedestrian bridge the community can be proud of; 2) integration of community input; 3) would like to see early draft of renderings focused on community input; 4) community outreach may begin in the spring and summer of 2018, and; 5) coordinate community outreach efforts with affected local municipality districts. On Order of Chairperson Cortese, and there being no objection, the Committee received a report on the Pedestrian Overcrossing at Story Road. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no Announcements. 9. ADJOURNMENT On order of Chairperson Cortese and there being no objection, the meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Anita McGraw, Board Assistant VTA Office of the Board Secretary Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board Minutes Page 3 of 3
5 Date: March 16, 2018 Current Meeting: March 21, 2018 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Chief Engineering & Program Delivery Officer, Carolyn M. Gonot Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, Capitol Expressway LRT Extension Revised Vertical Alignment and Funding Plan Policy-Related Action: Yes Government Code Section 84308 Applies: No ACTION ITEM RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors: 1) Approve the design change of the light rail vertical alignment at the Ocala Avenue and Cunningham Avenue intersections to grade separated, resulting in an increase of 1.2 miles of aerial guideway and a final configuration with aerial alignment for the entire 2.3 mile extension of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project; and 2) Approve funding strategy that includes use of Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) Local Partnership Program (LPP) Formula (FY17/18 and FY18/19) funds in the amount of $9 million and the use of 2000 Measure A funds in the amount of $67 million to fund the increased capital cost of $76 million for the design change BACKGROUND: At the December 2017 Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board (EBRC PAB) meeting, staff presented a recommended light rail alignment change that includes an aerial structure for the entire extension from the Alum Rock light rail station to the proposed Eastridge light rail station. This recommendation includes changing the vertical alignment from at-grade to aerial through the Ocala Avenue and Cunningham Avenue intersections. With this alignment, the project reduces significant impacts at these intersections and provides maximum light rail operations and traffic and pedestrians safety. In February 2018, staff presented to the EBRC PAB the recommended funding plan to accommodate the recommended alignment. The cost for the elevated guideway change at Ocala
5 Avenue and Cunningham Avenue is an additional $76 million. Staff considered many funding alternatives and concluded that the combined use of identified Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) Local Partnership Program (LPP) Formula (FY17/18 and FY18/19) funds in the amount of $9 million and the use of 2000 Measure A funded projected savings from the current Measure A projects in the amount of $67 million was the most feasible approach. DISCUSSION: Staff requests the EBRC PAB approve this recommendation for alignment revision and the corresponding funding plan. VTA will approve 2000 Measure A Program budget amendments through the VTA budget process and as funding is needed for costs as contracts are awarded. If the EBRC PAB decides to not approve the recommendation, staff will proceed with engineering and construction of the previously approved project that includes at-grade crossings at Ocala Avenue and Cunningham Avenue. This will result in lower light rail speed through these intersections with at-grade light rail crossings with automobiles and pedestrians. The project would also need either property acquisition at Ocala Avenue in order to accommodate identified left turn lanes or deal with significant traffic impact at this intersection from the lack of a second southbound left turn lane. A timely decision is important to confirm the project geometry and avoid delay for the upcoming environmental document update that must describe the final project scope. FISCAL IMPACT: Approval of this design change would increase the cost of the project by $76 million. Staff proposes to fund the additional scope through the use of Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) Local Partnership Program (LPP) Formula (FY17/18 and FY18/19) funds and 2000 Measure A funded projected savings. The Operations and Maintenance cost of the revised alignment is expected to be the same when compared to the Operations and Maintenance cost for the initial alignment, which is estimated at $2-$3 million annually depending on service frequency. Prepared by: Ken Ronsse, Deputy Director Memo No. 6514 Page 2 of 2
6 Date: March 14, 2018 Current Meeting: March 21, 2018 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Chief Engineering & Program Delivery Officer, Carolyn M. Gonot Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project Status Update FOR INFORMATION ONLY BACKGROUND: This memorandum presents a status report of activities for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project through February 2018. DISCUSSION: This project will extend light rail by 2.3 miles from the existing Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge Transit Center. Light rail will operate primarily in the median of Capitol Expressway. New stations will be built at Story Road and Eastridge Transit Center. The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector project supports multimodal transportation improvements in this corridor (see attached exhibit A). A project status update was previously presented to the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board (PAB) on December 7, 2017. The update included changes to vertical profile at Ocala and Cunningham Intersections from at-grade to aerial with a $76 Million estimated increase in costs. A finance planning strategy was presented on February 20, 2018, to the PAB. PROJECT STATUS The Engineering team has adopted the new changes to vertical profile in the design. The revised project scope now includes aerial guideway from just south of Alum Rock Station to just north of Eastridge Station.
6 The County has decided to retain ownership of Capitol Expressway, and VTA and the County are working closely on the geometry and design. Several geometric design meetings were held between the two agencies to make sure the project needs are met while minimizing traffic impacts on the expressway. The following are highlights of the proposed final design. The tracks will be grade separated along Capitol Expressway at all intersections between Capitol Avenue and Eastridge Station. The project will retain four lanes in each direction to the north of Story Road. Provisions for bicyclists and pedestrians along expressway. The above changes required shifting and adjustment to horizontal and vertical profile of the track. These track shifts along with retention of four lanes is a change to the original project that required review and update of the previous technical reports prepared for environmental document. The project is currently updating the traffic, noise, vibration and air quality reports to reflect the current scope and analyze for any impacts. A public meeting to discuss the environmental document is planned for late May 2018 and the CEQA environmental document approval in August 2018. The following are the Milestone dates. Complete Environmental August 2018 Complete Utility Relocation June 2019 Complete Final Design July 2019 Complete ROW Acquisition September 2019 Begin Construction January 2020 Complete Construction September 2023 Prepared By: Ven Prasad, Engineering Group Manager Memo No. 6364 Page 2 of 2
6.a EXHIBIT A Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project