LANCASTER COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TTAC) MINUTES DATE: September 11, 2017 TIME: 12:00 p.m. PLACE: 150 North Queen Street, 1 st Floor LCPC Meeting Rooms, Lancaster, PA 17603 MEMBERS PRESENT: Leo Lutz (Chair) Lancaster County Planning Commission Ralph Hutchison (Vice-Chair) Inter-Municipal Committee Jeff Glisson (Alternate) South Central Transit Authority Greg Paulson (Alternate) Legislative Delegation Alice Yoder Lancaster County Planning Commission Lisa Riggs Business and Finance Community Bill Swiernik Bike/Ped. Advisory Committee Karl Graybill (Alternate) City of Lancaster Beth Raves PennDOT Central Office Nate Walker (Alternate) PennDOT District 8-0 Kate Gonick Environmental Community Ryan Eckert Motorized Vehicle Interests Austin Beiler Lancaster Airport Authority Maureen Westcott Advocate for Persons with Disabilities GUESTS: Commissioner Dennis Stuckey Neil Ward STAFF: James Cowhey Robert Bini Lauri Ahlskog Brad Stewart Ben Dinkel Joey Alexander Kyle Salage Board of County Commissioners Commuter Rail of Lancaster Executive Director Director for Transportation Senior Transportation Planner Community Planner Traffic Count Intern Traffic Count Intern Administrative Secretary
1. Call to Order Chairperson Lutz called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. 2. Updates and Announcements a. Major Projects State Road Interchange Mr. Walker reported that the right of way plans were changed, and Amtrak will now have to send the revised plans through its review process. The let date will be tentatively pushed back to November 2018, due to the fact that Amtrak may take up to one year to complete its review. However, the possibility remains open that the project will be able to let sooner, given that the review generally takes only three to four months to complete. Mr. Bini added that PennDOT and LCPC will work to move up the let date, but do not want to create false expectations by setting the new target any sooner than November. The hope is that the project will let by early summer next year. Mr. Walker stated that PennDOT is currently defining the time frame and details for the next steps in the process. This should be completed by the end of September. Vice-Chairperson Hutchison requested that this item be kept on future agendas so that updates on the process can be provided, and Mr. Bini agreed that this can be done. US-222/US-30 Interchange Mr. Walker reported that the field survey for the study was completed. There will be a meeting on September 26 th at the Manheim Township building. Vice-Chairperson Hutchison asked for clarification regarding the length of the corridor segment being studied. Mr. Walker stated that the study will cover approximately eight (8) miles. Upcoming Lettings Next Six Months Mr. Walker reported that the Charlotte Street two-way conversion will let in the near future, as will the local bridge bundling pilot project. Preservation work on US-222 will take place in February 2018. A full list of upcoming lettings will be provided to LCPC staff. Ms.Westcott suggested that disability providers be informed about construction projects. Mr. Bini stated that LCPC produces a weekly road report, which could be transmitted to some of these providers. Mr. Glisson added that riders are informed of detours. Ms. Gonick inquired as to whether the Atlantic Sunrise construction will have any impacts on transit service. Mr. Glisson stated that it is unclear whether there will be any impact on service, but he commended Lancaster City for communicating with RRTA regarding construction. b. Transit Mr. Glisson distributed the amended RRTA Ride Guide that became effective on August 28 th. He noted that there will now be service to Shady Maple in New Holland. c. Federal Highway Administration No representative present. d. Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Mr. Swiernik reported that BPAC met on August 24 th. At this meeting, the committee discussed its intention to review PennDOT s list of resurfacing projects, the trail education proposal from the August TTAC meeting, and the TIP development schedule as it pertains to BPAC. Mr. Swiernik also noted that comments on the draft ATP were submitted to the consultant, and bike lane and sharrow painting will begin in Lancaster City this week. The committee then discussed how BPAC fits into the TIP algorithm, and what its role is as an advisory body. Ms. Yoder suggested that the statement regarding BPAC s
purpose and mission be recirculated, and noted that a definitive role would be useful as the committee considers expansion. Mr. Swiernik noted that BPAC does not independently pursue projects, and noted that it remains open to suggestions and requests from TTAC. Ms. Ahlskog added that BPAC has submitted recommendations to both TTAC and the MPO in the past, and it played a role in the development of county bike maps. Mr. Bini pointed out that BPAC has a more technical role than the advocacy groups in the community, and it is hoped that these groups can effectively work together. e. Transportation Authority Mr. Bini reported that the Authority will meet on Wednesday, October 4 th. At this meeting, bill payment actions will be affirmed, and there will be a review of the body s audit. There is a meeting scheduled with PennDOT to discuss an open-end agreement that would provide engineering services to Lancaster County. This would fill the current role of the Authority and facilitate progress for projects that have been held up. This agreement should be in place by the end of the year. Mr. Walker added that this agreement would most likely be a line item on the TIP. f. Commuter Services of PA No representative was present. 3. Minutes of August 14, 2017 Meeting (Action) Ms. Yoder asked for clarification regarding the line in Item 5 which states that it is possible that BPAC can be involved in PennDOT Connects meetings. It was explained that while these meetings are meant to be between the PennDOT, the municipalities, and the county, they will be open to stakeholders such as BPAC as well. The committee discussed whether it would be appropriate for BPAC to be represented at PennDOT Connects meetings, and at what point in the process would be appropriate for the committee to provide input. Mr. Glisson requested that Item 3B be changed to reflect that the study for the Transit Development Plan Update will be completed by Spring 2018. Mr. Glisson made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Riggs seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously, thereby approving the minutes. 4. TIP Modifications Ms. Raves referred to the accompanying memo, and welcomed questions from the committee regarding any items listed. Mr. Bini noted that the nonmotorized study is a formality, and that the Strasburg Township PA-741 SGT funds are being removed and will be discussed during Item 7. 5. 283/230 Corridor Study Update Mr. Bini reported that the consultant for the study was selected, and they will manage the project out of their York office. The consultant will visit on Wednesday, September 13 th for orientation on county policy discussions and a driving tour of the corridor. The consultant requested a Problem Statement, which LCPC will finalize in conjunction with the EDC. Because there are several key locations along the study portion of the corridor, so it is hoped that the study can produce land development ideas. The project advisory committee, which will guide the study, plans to meet three times. A report will be available by the end of the year. The study will be a recurring item on committee agendas so that updates can be provided as the process progresses. Mr. Swiernik asked whether LASA is
included in the advisory committee. Mr. Bini stated that it is not, but this can be considered since committee membership is fluid. 6. TIP Problem Submission Process Mr. Bini reported that this item on the agenda as a follow-up from discussion at the August 21 st TIPUS meeting. Currently, TIP problem submissions are solicited every four years, in order to coincide with the LRTP update cycle, but this could potentially be made to occur more often. A set project list is needed for the LRTP due to its fiscal constraints. Every time projects are solicited, air quality analysis and public participation must take place. A more rolling cycle over the four years, allowing submissions at any time until the determined cut-off. Staff will work with the FHWA and PennDOT to determine the guidelines and limitation of the process. Ms. Yoder asked when it would be considered legitimate to change the plan once it is set. Mr. Bini stated that this question will be better answered once the TIP prioritization tool is finalized, and it will be easier to determine when exceptions will be appropriate. Even if exceptions are allowed, however, the four year cycle should not be fundamentally changed. Ms. Yoder suggested that a threshold be considered for qualifying exceptions. Ms. Gonick inquired as to whether the county is informed when a municipality takes care of a project that was accepted as a TIP problem submission. Ms. Ahlskog stated that this communication is not currently required, but a process for facilitating such communication will be discussed. Mr. Bini noted that if a project is removed from the list of TIP problem submissions, its funds will go either towards the TIP reserve or another TIP project. The process will be revisited going forward with development of the TIP prioritization tool. 7. Information Items a. Strasburg Township SGT Funding Mr. Bini reported that SGT funds for the PA-741 project in Strasburg Township will be retracted, due to a lack of progress. Mr. Walker noted that because this is a retraction of federal funds, the committee should take action to approve it. Mr. Glisson made a motion to approve the retraction of SGT funds for the PA-741 project in Strasburg Township, and Ms. Gonick seconded this. The motion passed unanimously. b. Lancaster County PennDOT Connects Meeting for Municipalities There will be a PennDOT Connects meeting on November 24 th, where municipalities will be invited to attend and discuss their projects. Vice-Chairperson Hutchison expressed concern with the timing of this meeting, given that it is during the week before Thanksgiving. Ms. Yoder inquired as to whether PennDOT District 8-0 will also be holding these meetings with other counties. Mr. Walker confirmed this, noting that both Adams County and Franklin County will have similar PennDOT Connects meetings. Since this is the first cycle of PennDOT Connects, and there will be room for change in the process. PennDOT District 8-0 is still getting caught up on current projects. Updates will be provided on this meeting after it occurs. Ms. Ahlskog noted that this meeting will not be the only chance for municipalities to participate in the PennDOT Connects process. Mr. Bini added that six (6) PennDOT Connects meetings have already been held and documented.
8. Other Business & Public Participation The committee had no other business to present, and there were no additional remarks from the public in attendance. 9. Next Meeting: October 10, 12:00 PM 10. Adjournment Chairperson Lutz adjourned the meeting at 1:09 p.m.