10:00 a.m., September 10, 2019
Commission Office
The ACP Building - 8th Floor
190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA
For directions Call (215) 592-1800
Please Use Sixth Street Entrance
1. Call to Order – Chairman’s Comments
2. Deputy Executive Director’s Report
3. Public Comments on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
ACTION ITEMS
4. Highlights of the July 9, 2019 RTC Meeting
5. DVRPC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Actions
The dynamic nature of funding transportation improvements and the need to remain within financial constraint require amendments or modifications to the TIP. The following projects require formal TIP Amendments or Modifications this month for the FY 2019 TIP for PA and the FY 2018 TIP for NJ.
a. PA19-76: MacDade Boulevard Closed Loop Signal System (MPMS #64790), Delaware County – Add Project Back into TIP
b. PA19-77: US 202, Markley Street Improvements (Section 510) (MPMS #80021), Montgomery County – Add Project Back into TIP
c. PA19-78: Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) General Contract (MPMS #110494), Montgomery County – Cost Increase
d. PA19-79: ADA Ramps 2020 (Various MPMS #s), Various Counties – Add New Projects to TIP
e. PA19-80: Broad Street over Reading Railroad Bridge (MPMS #92147), City of Philadelphia – Add New Project to TIP
6. FY 2020 Work Program Amendment
To respond to the needs of member governments and agencies, work program changes and additions are brought to the RTC to permit the timely undertaking of technical activity.
a. PA 309 Connector Traffic Forecasts
PennDOT has requested DVRPC to prepare daily and peak hour traffic forecasts for Phase 3 of the PA 309 Connector Project in Fraconia, Hatfield, and Hilltown townships. Phase 3 will reconstruct and widen Township Line Road between Souderton Pike and County Line Road and improve the connection to PA 309. Average daily and AM and PM peak hour intersection turning movement forecasts will be prepared.
b. Add Direct Bus Expansion Feasibility Project, Remove Philadelphia Mills Bus Transfer Hub Project
SEPTA has requested to replace the Philadelphia Mills bus transfer hub project in the FY 20 UPWP with the Direct Bus Expansion Feasibility project. SEPTA is considering expanding Direct Bus service as part of its planned systemwide bus network reconsideration, and has requested DVRPC planning support to identify corridors within its service area where future limited stop service would be valuable and successful. Like Roosevelt Boulevard, many transit corridors that are likely to be suitable for Direct Bus service are also state highways, requiring coordination with PennDOT and with other capital projects consistent with the principles of PennDOT Connects. The report will result in a prioritized concept plan for expansion of SEPTA's Direct Bus (BRT lite) limited stop bus network, within the City of Philadelphia and in DVRPC's suburban counties.
7. Adoption of Conformity Determination of the Connections 2045 Long-Range Plan, FY 2019 TIP for Pennsylvania, and Draft FY 2020 TIP for New Jersey
DVRPC is demonstrating conformity for the Connections 2045 Long-Range Plan (Plan), the FY 2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania and Draft FY 2020 TIP for New Jersey. This demonstration is necessitated by the addition of regionally significant and non-exempt projects to the FY 2019 TIP for Pennsylvania and a new FY 2020 TIP for New Jersey. A public comment period was held from July 23, 2013 to August 23, 2019. Two public meetings were held on July 29, and July 30, 2019 (Trenton and Philadelphia). Staff will present the results of the Transportation Conformity Determination and request that the RTC recommend that the DVRPC Board adopt the conformity findings at the September 26, 2019 Board meeting.
8. Adoption of the Draft DVRPC FY2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for New Jersey (FY20-FY23) with Recommended Changes
Federal law and planning regulations require the development of a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in order for the metropolitan region to be eligible to receive and spend federal transportation funds. The creation of the TIP is to be done by the MPO in cooperation with the state and transit operators and must provide an opportunity for input and comment by the public. A 30-day comment period must be conducted prior to a formal action to adopt the TIP. For the Draft DVRPC FY2020 TIP for NJ, staff will present a program overview, comments received during the public comment period, a proposed list of recommended changes to the draft program, and pending the New Jersey Subcommittee of the RTC's review and acceptance of the recommended changes, ask the Board to adopt the FY2020 NJ TIP with the recommended changes. The Draft TIP document is available online at www.dvrpc.org/TIP/Draft and in hardcopy at various public libraries and the DVRPC Resource Center.
9. Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Adoption
Growing Greater Philadelphia was developed to satisfy the federal requirement for a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Greater Philadelphia Region and will serve as the required five-year revision of the regional CEDS adopted by the U.S. EDA in 2014. Staff will present information on the CEDS and request that the RTC recommend its adoption by the DVRPC Board.
10. Proposed dates for RTC Meetings
DISCUSSION ITEMS
11. FY21 UPWP Development Discussion
12. One Minute Reports
RTC Members and guests will be invited to provide updates on the activities of their agencies.
13. Old Business and New Business
14. Meeting Adjournment
The next scheduled meeting of the RTC is Tuesday, October 8, 2019.