MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: City Transportation Priority List for 2002-2003

DATE: July 26, 2002

I. Background

Each year, the City Council conducts an overview of the State's Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) and County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the purposes of establishing the City's Transportation Priority Listing. The City's priorities are communicated to State and County officials as early input to the next year's budget cycle.

A typical project in the CTP will go through four distinct stages (as noted below). Not all activities for each project may be funded at the same time. Some projects are funded for the first activity, but then left dormant for various reasons. The levels of activity, or stages, a typical project goes through are:

· Project Planning, which is a two-step process. The first part of Project Planning is the delineation of a project's limits and identification of those agencies whose participation will be necessary in the project. The second step is to determine necessary improvements which may be required for construction of a project, such as identifying various activities like right-of-way acquisition or wetlands mitigation which must be carried out, and determining such design aspects of a project as the required number of lanes or whether noise barriers will be required;
· Design and Engineering, which is where the actual details of such factors as how much fill may be needed, where the various utilities will be located (i.e., underground versus overhead), etc., are determined;
· Right-of-Way Acquisition, which is where SHA actually negotiates with land owners to obtain whatever land is needed to construct the project; and
· Construction, which is the final activity where the road or improvement is actually constructed.

It should be noted that some of the four stages of a project can occur simultaneously. It is not uncommon for planning and engineering, planning and right-of-way acquisition, engineering and right-of-way acquisition, or in some cases, construction and right-of-way acquisition to take place at the same time. For very large projects, phasing is also common, with different action taking place in the different phases.

II. State Transportation Projects

Attachment #1 provides a detailed description of current State transportation projects serving the Bowie area, as they appear in the 2002-2007 CTP. These projects are summarized below by category:

A. Construction Projects
1. MD 450, from MD 193 to Stonybrook Drive (Line 9)
2. US Route 50 HOV lanes (Line 5)

B. Right-of-Way Acquisition Projects
1. US 301/MD 197 interchange (Line 24)
2. US 301 South Corridor (Line 23)

C. Design and Engineering Projects
1. MD 450 from Stonybrook Drive to west of MD 3 (Line 28)

D. Project Planning
1. US 301/MD 197 interchange (Line 24)
2. MD 3, from MD 450 to Anne Arundel County line (Line 18)
3. US 301 South Corridor (Line 23)

Recommendation:

Consistent with past policy, the City should support the projects shown in the CTP, as well as the following actions:

1. Move MD 450 from Stonybrook Drive to west of MD 3 from Design and Engineering to Construction Projects.
2. Move US 301/197 interchange from Planning to Design and Engineering Projects.
3. Move MD 3 from MD 450 to Anne Arundel County line from Project Planning to Design and Engineering Projects.
4. Add a new project, MD 197 from Kenhill Drive to MD 450, to Project Planning.
5. Add a new project, US Route 50 interchange between MD 704 and MD 197 to Project Planning.
6. Add a new project, US Route 50 Trumpet Interchange at the Maryland Science and Technology Center (MSTC) to Project Planning.

The letter sent to Senator Green last year is provided as Attachment #2. The letter also included numerous projects described as "Other SHA Projects". These are projects that address safety issues and/or enhance the appearance and accessibility of the transportation system, including:

1. Camera at traffic signals
2. Opticon devices
3. MD 197 North Median, from MD 450 north to Rockledge Elementary School
4. MD 197 South Median, from US 50 to US 301
5. Noise Walls on US 50 at Princeton Square
6. Traffic signal warrant study at MD 197/Millstream Drive
7. Traffic signal warrant study at MD 197/Old Chapel Road (North)
8. WB & A Bridge over the Patuxent River
9. Old Town Bowie/MD 564 traffic safety improvements
10. Sidewalks along 11th Street (MD 564) in Old Town Bowie
11. Deceleration lanes on MD 197 at Holiday Lane and on MD 214 at Danfield Drive

Efforts to implement technological improvements, such as cameras and Opticon devices, are ongoing. A general community consensus was achieved on both the Route 197 Median landscaping projects and these projects are awaiting State funding through the Neighborhood Conservation Program. The US 50 HOV lane project, now under construction, will include erection of noise walls at the Princeton Square development. Signal warrant studies were performed on Route 197 North by SHA during their investigation of the median alternates. Based on information in the study, signalization would appear to be possible at some intersections, if the proposed driveway consolidation recommendations are implemented. Support for a new bridge over the Patuxent River for the WB & A continues, as staff works with local trail groups and those in Anne Arundel County. Completion of this connection was recently recommended in the Citywide Trails Plan. Improvements in Old Town Bowie, including traffic safety in the vicinity of the railroad bridge have been the focus of the Old Town Committee, which has reviewed various roadway design alternatives. Coordination of the sidewalk installation program in Old Town is being achieved through the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Regarding deceleration lanes, the District 3 office has made signage and lighting improvements and has been working to find a funding source to construct a deceleration lane at Holiday Lane. The City was advised late last year that SHA needed to monitor traffic conditions after Bowie Town Center is fully constructed before additional improvements could be considered. Regarding the Danfield Drive deceleration lane, SHA acknowledged receipt of the City's request last fall and referred the matter to District 3 for analysis.

Recommendation: The City should reiterate its support for the above projects. In addition, staff recommends the following:

1. Inclusion of a specific request to lengthen the northbound left turn lane on US 301 at the US 301/Mitchellville Road/Queen Anne Road intersection. The existing turn lane is insufficient to accommodate traffic queues, which tend to back up and impede the progress of traffic using northbound Route 301, especially in the p.m. peak hours. This improvement will facilitate traffic entering the community from Route 301.

III. County Transportation Projects

Attachment #1 also identifies County transportation projects, as they appear in the County CIP. Note that "design and engineering" and "planning" categories are combined for County CIP projects. The County projects in the Bowie area are summarized below by category:

A. Construction Projects
1. Collington Branch Stream Valley Trail
2. Bridge Replacement - Race Track Road
3. Mitchellville Road
4. US Route 301 improvements (south of MD 214)

B. Right-of-Way Acquisition
1. Governor Bridge Road

C. Planning Projects (including Design and Engineering Projects)
1. High Bridge Road
2. Mount Oak Road
3. Woodmore Road

Recommendation:

There are numerous projects described in the City's letter to County Executive Curry that are not in the County CIP document. Staff is recommending that these be included again in the City letter. Consistent with past policy, the City should support the projects shown in the CIP, with the changes and additions noted below:

1. Pursuant to the adopted Citywide Trails Plan, request redirection of construction funding for the Collington Branch Stream Valley Trail to construction of trail segments using the A-44 right-of-way. The revised project is recommended for the Construction Projects category.

2. Add a Hiker-Biker Trail Project along Old Chapel Road and Race Track Road to Construction Projects.

3. Move both the Mount Oak Road and Woodmore Road projects to Construction Projects.

4. Add Church Road from Leeland Road to MD 450, including signalization at Mount Oak Road, to Right-of-Way Acquisition Projects, including funding for planning, design and engineering.

5. Add a Hiker-Biker Trail Project along Chestnut Avenue linking Old Town Bowie and the proposed High Bridge Road improvement project, which terminates at Fletchertown Road, to Planning Projects.

6. Add a project to replace the existing bridge over the Patuxent River on Governor Bridge Road to Planning Projects.

Two other projects were referenced in the City's letter to County Executive Curry (see Attachment #3) last year: a pilot project for extension of the County bus system and a proposed pedestrian bridge over MD 214. The City Council made the examination of transit systems and facilities a Planning Department objective for this year. City staff has met with DPW & T staff and is continuing a dialogue regarding transit options, as the system serving the County is now being re-analyzed. Because it is classified as a longer term project in the Citywide Trails Plan, staff recommends that the pedestrian bridge project be deferred as a CIP request to a later year. Interim pedestrian improvements could be made to the existing at-grade intersection at MD 214/Jennings Mill/Hall Road intersection in the short-term as a way of addressing current safety and circulation needs.

Attachment #4 is a copy of correspondence from the County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW & T) to Councilwoman Scott regarding the possibility of all-way stops at the Mount Oak Road/Nottinghill Drive intersection and the Church Road intersections with Woodmore/Mount Oak Roads. The Director of DPW & T indicated that, while warrants were not met for installation of all-way stops at these intersections, the future Woodmore Road CIP project would better align the intersection and result in improved safety and traffic operations. Staff finds the large amount of existing traffic using these roads and the amount of approved development in the area will continue to exacerbate safety and operational problems at these intersections. Therefore, staff is recommending that the Mount Oak Road and Woodmore Road projects be placed into the construction program.

Attachment 1: Description of Projects

State CTP Projects

Construction Projects

1. MD Route 450 from MD 193 to Stonybrook Drive (Prince George's County Line 9) - (Under Construction) This project consists of the construction of a divided road with four through-lanes and varying numbers of turn lanes to serve the intersections with the various streets along this segment. Included in this project is a very substantial landscaping plan which features both shade and ornamental trees, shrubbery, seasonal flora, and use of brick in the design of medians. Crosswalks and other pedestrian areas will be given special treatment to make drivers aware that they are approaching a special location.
2. US Route 50 HOV Lanes (Prince George's County Line 5) - (Under Construction) This project involves the construction of High Occupancy Volume (HOV) lanes on US Route 50 between the US Route 50/MD Route 3 interchange and a point approximately one mile west of the Capital Beltway. Construction of noise barriers from I-495 to west of US Route 50/ MD Route 197 for the Princeton Square community is part of the project, as well as an extension of the acceleration lane onto Route 50 from Route 197.
Right-of-Way Acquisition Projects
1. US Route 301/MD Route 197 interchange (Prince George's County Line 24) - Study to upgrade and widen US Route 301, from north of Mount Oak Road to US 50 (2.0 miles) and MD 197 from US 301 to Mitchellville Road (0.3 miles). Shoulders will accommodate bicycles. Sidewalks will be provided where appropriate. Improvements are needed to accommodate the existing and projected high volumes of traffic generated by continuing growth along the US 301 corridor and to address existing safety problems. Some planning and right-of-way funds were deleted due to the national economic slowdown.

2. US Route 301 South Corridor Transportation Study (Prince George's County Line 23) - This is a multi-modal corridor study to consider highway/transit improvements south of La Plata to US Routes 301/50 interchange in Bowie, and to Branch Avenue Metro Station. The study includes preparing the appropriate environmental approvals for recommended alternatives. The study is being coordinated with other studies to identify short/long range transit alternatives. Bicycle and pedestrian access will be included in the study. Some planning and right-of-way funds were deleted due to the national economic slowdown.

Design and Engineering Projects

1. Route 450 from Stonybrook Drive to MD Route 3 (Line 28) - This project consists of design and engineering to upgrade the section of MD Route 450 from a point approximately 1,000 feet east of its intersection with Stonybrook Drive to MD Route 3 to a divided highway with four through lanes of traffic. Planning studies were completed for this segment in 1988.

Project Planning
1. US Route 301/ MD Route 197 Interchange (Line 24) - Study to upgrade and widen US Route 301, from north of Mount Oak Road to US 50 (2.0 miles) and MD 197 from US 301 to Mitchellville Road (0.3 miles). Shoulders will accommodate bicycles. Sidewalks will be provided where appropriate. Improvements are needed to accommodate the existing and projected high volumes of traffic generated by continuing growth along the US 301 corridor and to address existing safety problems. Some planning and right-of-way funds were deleted due to the national economic slowdown.
2. MD Route 3 (Line 18) - This project consists of a study to upgrade MD Route 3 from US Route 50 to MD Route 32 (8.89 miles) to address safety and capacity concerns. The project would improve safety and relieve traffic congestion in this heavily traveled corridor. In 2000, the annual average daily traffic was 67,900, and it is projected to be 106,250 in the year 2025.
3. US Route 301 Corridor Transportation Study (Line 23) - This is a multi-modal corridor study to consider highway/transit improvements south of La Plata to US Routes 301/50 interchange in Bowie, and to Branch Avenue Metro Station. The study includes preparing the appropriate environmental approvals for recommended alternatives. The study is being coordinated with other studies to identify short/long range transit alternatives. Bicycle and pedestrian access will be included in the study. Some planning and right-of-way funds were deleted due to the national economic slowdown.

County CIP Projects

Construction Projects

1. Collington Branch Stream Valley Trail - The project involves the construction of a hiker-biker trail from US Route 50 southward toward Central Avenue (MD Route 214). This is an important trail system essential to complement the north-south trail network serving the City. This trail is in conformance with the County-wide Trail Master Plan and is already in the County Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The trail also represents a coordinated effort with the State Highway Administration to provide a connection under US Route 50/MD Route 197 overpass.

2. Bridge Replacement - Race Track Road - This project consists of the replacement of the existing Race Track Road Bridge over Horsepen Branch. The bridge was originally constructed in 1945 and reconstructed in 1950.

3. Mitchellville Road - This project consists of the reconstruction of the existing roadway from MD 197 to Mount Oak Road, as a four/six lane urban divided highway including a sidewalk on the west side and a bike path on the east side. Improvements include paving the shoulders and resurfacing the roadway from US 301 to Mount Oak Road. This project also incorporates minor geometric improvements at the US 301 interesection, including landscaping. Project completion is anticipated by June, 2003.





4. US Route 301 Improvements (south of MD 214) - This project is necessary to provide satisfactory levels of service during peak periods at intersections and along US 301, should SHA planned improvements be delayed. Funding is primarily through developer contributions.

Right-of-Way Acquisition Projects

1. Governor Bridge Road - Reconstruction of the existing road to a multi-lane urban roadway in the vicinity of US Route 301 and as a two-lane rural roadway with paved shoulders from that point to the Anne Arundel County line. The existing roadway is narrow and does not meet current and projected traffic demands. Increased traffic volumes have resulted from development in the area.

Design/Engineering and Planning Projects

1. High Bridge Road - This project will consist of a two-lane urban reconstruction from MD 450 to Fletchertown Road. The project will provide drainage improvements and improve pedestrian movement as well as provide access to the WB & A trail. The existing roadway is narrow, has drainage problems and does not provide for pedestrian and bicyclist movements.

2. Mount Oak Road - This project will provide for a multi-lane reconstruction of the existing roadway from Church Road to Mitchellville Road in accordance with the area master plan. The design of the project will include an evaluation of the need to construct a bridge overt the Conrail railroad tracks. The existing roadway requires capacity, alignment and drainage improvements. Rapid development in the area is causing an increase in traffic volumes, necessitating capacity improvements.

3. Woodmore Road - This project will consist of the complete dualization of Woodmore Road from east of MD 193 to Church Road. The project will include the reconstruction of the existing westbound roadway, where appropriate, to meet current design standards. A minor relocation at Church Roadwill also be considered to provide a common intersection with Mount Oak Road. The existing roadway is substandard and will not satisfy the projected needs of the adjoining developing area and anticipated increases in through trips. This project will provide a much needed additional east-west connection from South Bowie to Largo and the Capital Beltway.