South Corridor Study Update - October 2021

South Corridor Study Update - October 2021

Steering Committee Meeting

October 13, 2021

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Today’s Agenda 1. Welcome and Agenda Review 2. Review Prior Work 3. Present Findings to Date 4. Discuss Next Steps − Incorporating Committee Feedback − Coordination with TDOT on State Initiatives − Soliciting Community Engagement − Objectives for Next Committee Meeting

Invited Participants • Steering Committee members including elected officials, representatives from Maury Alliance, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Williamson, Inc., Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, local and regional transit agency leadership, and state and federal agency leadership • WSP Consulting Team • GNRC and WeGo Public Transit Project Teams

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Agenda Item 1a. Impetus & Objectives

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Regional Support

GNRC.org/MidTNConnected

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Regional Transit Initiatives

CORRIDOR LEVEL TRANSIT STUDIES: • Regional Commuter Rail Study (1998) • Southeast Corridor Alternatives Analysis (2007)

• Northwest Corridor Conceptual Feasibility Study (2010) • Downtown East‐West Connector Alternatives Analysis (2011) • I‐24 Corridor Study/ Monorail Assessment (2014) • Southeast Area Transportation and Land Use Study (2016) • Northwest Corridor Transit Study/ AA (2017) • High‐Capacity Transit Study (2017) • South Corridor Transit Study (CURRENT)

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Study Purpose • Advance recommendations from the publicly adopted Regional Transportation Plan and nMotion Transit Master Plan • Inform the regional Transportation Policy Board as it updates the regional plan and makes associated funding decisions • Identify potential capital and operational improvements for TDOT, local government, and transit agency implementation • Recommend a locally preferred alternative for introducing regional rapid transit along the corridor • Help inform site selection for economic development opportunities along the I‐65 and US 31 corridors • Identify opportunities to align local plans, design guidelines, and zoning ordinances to ready the landscape for a major investment

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Key Outcomes

A Community‐Driven Recommendation for Rapid Transit

Corridor‐level transit project with conceptual design, costs estimate, and advanced analysis on community and environmental impacts

1

Project Implementation Guidance

Guidance for funding, project phasing, and minimizing disruption

2

Recommendations for Short‐Term Actions that will Ready the Environment for a Major Investment

• Optimization and augmentation of existing transit service • Guidance for local planning pertaining to land development and right‐of‐way preservation • Suggested considerations for pursuing changes to local or state policies and legislation • Useable information for continued education and outreach

3

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Study Design and Status

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Study Phases

PHASE 2 Initial Screening of Alternatives Status: Outreach and analysis complete; Final draft deliverables provided by WSP

PHASE 3 Evaluation & Optimization

PHASE 1 Community Visioning

Status: Build alternatives and land use scenarios defined; Forecast models updated; Evaluation results being analyzed and packaged for stakeholder and public review

Status: Outreach and analysis complete; Final draft deliverables provided by WSP

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Build Alternatives

Bus Rapid Transit 2 Alignment Options Faster alternative to local bus service in major corridors Uses exclusive or semi‐ exclusive lanes.

Light Rail Transit 2 Alignment Options Smaller electric rail vehicles Can operate on‐street or in exclusive ROW Higher capacity than buses

Commuter Rail CSX & NERR Corridors Longer trips Regional travel between suburbs/downtown Can utilize freight infrastructure or roads

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Baseline Assumptions • Implement programmed roadway and intersection improvements • Provide more frequent commuter bus service with potential for limited Bus on Shoulder service • Increase frequency and availability of local transit service • Upgrade technologies to bring the corridor on par with the I‐24 Smart Corridor • Increase the amount of mixed‐use and higher density development according to local plans and transit development potential

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Evaluation Approach

Technical Engineering Analysis

Community Benefits and Impacts

Public Support and Political Feasibility

Measures of Social, Economic, Environmental Cost and Benefit

Evaluation of political champions and policy or legislative hurdles

Metrics Related to the Transportation Project or Facility include Capital/ Operating Costs and Transportation Performance

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GNRC.org/FileShare/SouthCorridor

Available Deliverables • Existing Conditions and Trends Report (FINAL DRAFT) • Definition of Alternatives Report (FINAL DRAFT) • Operations and Maintenance Report (FINAL DRAFT) • Transportation Modeling Memorandums (FINAL DRAFT) • Land Use and TOD Report (SECOND DRAFT) • May 21, 2020: Presentation of Build Alternatives • June 9, 2020: Steering and Technical Committee Q&A Key Presentations

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Agenda Item 1b. Introductions and Roles

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Sponsor Agencies

State and Federal Partners

Consultant Partners

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Agenda Item 2a. Existing Conditions and Trends

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Reverse commuting and increasingly more common. Trips related to recreation, shopping, or other activities, far outweigh commute trips. suburban to suburban commuting becoming

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Approximately 90% of Davidson County residents work in 1 of the 3 counties that comprise the study area. 41% work in 1 of the 9 key major South Corridor employment hubs .

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork 91% of Williamson County residents work in one of the 3 counties in the study area,

with a near equal split between Davidson and Williamson counties.

Approximately 59% work in 1 of the 9 employment centers in the South Corridor.

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork 87% of Maury County residents work in 1 of the 3 counties in the study area. Approximately 62% work in 1 of the 9 employment centers in the South Corridor.

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Not only commuting that impacts congestion and travel patterns along the corridor. Corridor is home to several schools, churches, future MLS stadium, seasonal events, etc.

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Congestion will continue to intensify across all three counties This will be felt most acutely between Davidson and Williamson

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork As development continues, congestion in Williamson and Maury counties will intensify Addressing this requires coordinated multi ‐ jurisdictional approach

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork As development continues, congestion in Davidson and Williamson counties will intensify Addressing this requires coordinated multi ‐ jurisdictional approach

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Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Residential development densities vary along corridor. Feasibility of various transportation solutions depends on future growth patterns. Local planning efforts prioritizing walkable communities, areas of mixed ‐ use, and areas of supportive transit.

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Agenda Item 2b. Community Engagement

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Pre ‐ COVID Community Engagement Review of PriorWork

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Community Meetings and Outreach Review of PriorWork Round One Goal:

− Create awareness of study and develop understanding of needs and challenges. Round Two Goal: − Validate feedback from first round and provide public an opportunity to react to technical information (existing conditions, screening of transit corridor alternatives and mores, potential locations, technology, etc.)

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Who did we talk to? Review of PriorWork

• Community Meetings

• One ‐ on ‐ One Meetings

• Elected Officials and Staff − Berry Hill Board of Commissioners − Oak Hill − Brentwood City Council − Franklin Board of Mayor and Alderman − Williamson County − Thompson Station Board of Mayor and Alderman − Columbia City Council − Spring Hill

− TMA Group/Franklin Transit Authority − South Central Development District − Metro Public Works − Urban League of Middle Tennessee − Nashville Civic Design Center − Nashville Chamber of Commerce − Williamson Inc. − Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce − Maury Alliance − LBGT Chamber of Commerce − Latino Chamber of Commerce − Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities − Senior Ride Nashville − Council on Aging (AgeWell)

− 1000+ residents, business owners • Stakeholder Presentations

− Brentwood, Columbia, and Franklin Rotaries − Williamson Lions Club − Franklin Tomorrow − Kiwanis Club of Historic Downtown Franklin − TMA Group − TMA Board Members − Transit Alliance Board Members

• Outreach Events

− Walk Bike Nashville Mayoral Forum − Williamson Inc Transportation Summit

− Festival Día Del Nino − Experience Spring Hill

− Hytch − Nissan − Vanderbilt University − CSX

− Breakfast with the Mayors − Young Professionals Groups − Creative Community Engagement Events

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Round One: What did we hear? Review of PriorWork • The communities who participated are generally excited about the potential implementation of transportation, including mass transit, improvements. • Participants need a convenient and efficient transportation system that encompasses several options such as road and intersection improvements, bus improvements, and implementation of technology and mass transit, or rail connections. • Each participating community along the corridor has a different vision for development such as high‐density versus low‐density. • Participants are not only interested in getting to and from work , but also to and from retail or entertainment, especially the younger and older demographics that have a more difficult time getting around. • For mass transit modes, a majority of responses preferred Light Rail, Bus Rapid Transit and Commuter Rail services. • Participants are tired of waiting and would like policy change and improved incentives to get these studies off the shelf and into construction.

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Round Two: What did we hear? Review of PriorWork • Solve congestion problem. • Need a plan that can and will be implemented .

• Participants appear to favor BRT Solutions unless CSX is a feasible alternative. • Participants are in favor of technology (smart corridors) and signal prioritization. • Agree with results of Round I and technical screening goals. • In favor of transit‐oriented development options in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill and Columbia. • Participants on the trip activity displayed more localized work commutes and more distant entertainments travel .

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Agenda Item 2c. Definition of Build Alternatives

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alignment overview Commuter rail

47.5 miles in length − 0.9 miles along streets

− 10.8 miles adjacent to CSX main line − 30.8 miles adjacent to CSX branch line − 5.0 miles along Tennessee Southern RR 10 modified highway bridges 25 highway ‐ rail grade crossings 29 bridges / stream crossings

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hybrid I-65/CSX alignment Light rail transit 20.6 miles ( not incl. express bus ) − 0.9 miles along streets − 1.2 miles beside CSX mainline (Gulch) − 11.7 miles beside Interstate 65 − 6.8 miles beside CSX non ‐ mainline 2 tunnels 9 modified bridges 17 highway ‐ rail grade crossings 37 bridges / stream crossings

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I-65 alignment Light rail transit

23.4 miles ( not incl. express bus ) − 0.9 miles along streets − 1.2 miles beside CSX mainline (Gulch) − 21.3 miles along Interstate 65 1–2 tunnels 7 modified bridges 14 highway ‐ rail grade crossings 50 bridges / stream crossings

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I-65 alignment Bus rapid transit 20.5 miles ( not incl. express bus ) − 0.8 miles along streets − 19.7 miles along Interstate 65 12 modified bridges 2 bridges / stream crossings

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I-65/arterial alignment Bus rapid transit 21.5 miles ( not incl. express bus ) − 7.0 miles in mixed traffic − 2.5 miles along arterials in exclusive lanes − 12.0 miles along Interstate 65 21 modified bridges 1 highway ‐ rail grade crossing 12 bridges / stream crossings

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Agenda Item 3a. Growth & Development Potential

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STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING professional and technical service, and finance and insurance jobs. regional employment centers. Corridor has greater share of Existing Conditions and Trends Review of PriorWork Nearly half of the 2+ million people residing in region live South Corridor counties. Corridor is home to several

Assessment of Alternatives Findings to Date Review of land use plans, zoning ordinances, etc. informing assessment of transit feasibility and station areas.

Being paired with information regarding natural resources, targeted redevelopment areas and opportunity zones.

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Currently evaluating feasibility of various alternatives across a variety of different goals and measures. Assessment of Alternatives Findings to Date

GOALS  Enhance quality of life  Create land use and development patterns supportive of transportation/transit  Minimize adverse transportation ‐ related environmental impacts and foster positive environmental benefits  Provide expanded mobility options for the forecast travel demand through and within the study area and corridor  Provide a cost ‐ effective and efficient transportation investment strategy  Decrease reliance on single ‐ occupant vehicles  Support a more integrated transportation system with efficient connections between various modes of transportation  Promote sensible and sustainable growth patterns

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Growth and Development Potential

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Growth and Development Potential Findings to Date

GOAL  Create land use and development patterns supportive of transportation/transit

Transit supportive looks different in different places.

Rural

Exurban

Suburban

Urban

City Center

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Concentrated investment around transportation options

Minimize sprawl

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Growth and Development Potential Findings to Date

GOAL  Create land use and development patterns supportive of transportation/transit

• Identify existing land use and zoning policies along corridor. • Identify high level criteria

needed to support station area readiness (permitted uses, intent of districts, etc.) and obstacles. • Document the ability of existing policies to support development and transit investment.

Already transit supportive Somewhat transit supportive Some changes needed Significant changes needed

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Findings to Date

Growth and Development Potential

commuter rail - residential

• Development opportunities around transit can create a sense of place and community • Pedestrian and bicycle oriented design • Limited but managed parking • Type of development varies by composition, size, function, and location

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I ‐ 65 / CSX Growth and Development Potential Findings to Date light rail - residential • Light rail is a tool to catalyze development, as shown by the two alignment alternatives impact to expected development patterns

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Growth and Development Potential Findings to Date bus rapid transit - residential

• Bus rapid transit is also a tool that can drive development investment based on the alignment alternative

I ‐ 65 / Arterial

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Agenda Item 3a. Engineering Analysis

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Commuter Rail Alternative

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Longer ‐ distance regional travel between suburbs/downtown Can utilize existing freight rail infrastructure or (if DMU) roads Typically limited in frequency or service hours to peak commutes mode overview Commuter rail

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Findings to Date

typical section Commuter rail CSX requirements − No track sharing between freight and passenger rail − ≥ 65 feet from nearest CSX track, ≥ 15 feet between tracks

− Crash barriers where < 25 feet from nearest CSX track − Grade ‐ separated (no tunneling) − No catenary electrification

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challenges Commuter rail

Operation in street through downtown

Along median or outside lanes (not in mixed traffic) Slower speeds, tight radii, abrupt/steep grades

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challenges Commuter rail

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challenges Commuter rail

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challenges Commuter rail

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nashville & eastern railroad option Commuter rail

Use existing NERR tracks from I ‐ 440 to Riverfront Station Slightly longer ( 47.8 miles vs. 47.5 miles) Avoids ROW, bridge impacts in Gulch/SoBro/WeHo neighborhoods Station opportunities

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Light Rail Transit Alternative

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mode overview Light rail transit

Smaller electric rail vehicles that can operate on ‐ street or in exclusive ROW Provides much higher capacity than buses, and operates over more time of day than commuter rail

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Findings to Date

typical section Light rail transit

Subject to CSX requirements where applicable May operate at ‐ grade (with/without crash barriers), supported, elevated May shift to either side of Interstate/CSX as conditions dictate

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challenges Light rail transit

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challenges Light rail transit

Interchange alignments

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challenges Light rail transit

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Bus Rapid Transit Alternative

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mode overview Bus rapid transit

Faster alternative to local bus service in major, high ‐ demand corridors Uses exclusive or semi ‐ exclusive lanes (bus version of LRT in terms of market and operations)

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Findings to Date

typical section Bus rapid transit

Bus on shoulder or in dedicated lanes along Interstate 65

Access to Interstate 65 via dedicated on ‐ and off ‐ ramps Operation on arterials may either be in mixed traffic or in dedicated lanes (median)

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challenges Bus rapid transit

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challenges Bus rapid transit

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challenges Bus rapid transit

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Cost Estimates

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commuter rail Comparable projects

Total Cost to Implement

Cost/Mile (Millions)

Project

Miles Stations

BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension (San Fran)

6.5

4

$4,690.00

$721

SunRail Connector to the Orlando Int’l Airport

5.5

2

$225.00

$41

West Lake Corridor (Chicago)

7.8

4

$933.09

$120

Double Track Northwest Indiana (Chicag0)

26.6

5

$456.05

$17

TEX Rail

26.8

7

$1,034.41

$39

South Corridor (Commuter Rail)

47.5

14 $2,779,660,000

$58

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light rail transit Comparable projects

Total Cost to Implement

Cost/Mile (Millions)

Project

Miles Stations

South Central Light Rail Extension (Phoenix) Maryland National Capital Purple Line Southwest Light Rail Transit Project (Twin Cities) METRO Blue Line Extension (Twin Cities) Federal Way Link Extension (Seattle ‐ Tacoma)

5.5

9

$1,345,000,000 $5,600,000,000 $2,003,000,000 $1,536,000,000 $3,161,000,000 $3,260,000,000

$245 $350 $138 $114 $405 $384 $141 $151

16.0 14.5 13.5

21 16 11

7.8 8.5

3 4

Lynnwood Link Extension (Denver)

South Corridor (LRT — Interstate 65 Alignment) South Corridor (LRT — Hybrid I ‐ 65 / CSX Alignment)

23.4 20.6

10 $3,302,250,000 10 $3,117,551,000

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bus rapid transit Comparable projects

Total Cost to Implement $141,850,000 $460,900,000 $141,390,000 $71,450,000 $345,000,000 $150,000,000

Cost/Mile (Millions)

Project

Miles Stations

Capital Area Transportation Authority BRT (Lansing)

8.5

27 16 16 10 24 32

$16.7 $44.7 $17.2 $14.3 $41.6 $10.5 $40.9 $14.8

METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit

10.3

North ‐ South Bus Rapid Transit (Chapel Hill) Wake Bus Rapid Transit: New Bern Ave (Raleigh) Maryland Parkway High Capacity Transit Pacific Avenue/SR 7 Corridor BRT (Seattle ‐ Tacoma) South Corridor (BRT — Interstate 65 Alignment) South Corridor (BRT — Hybrid I ‐ 65 / Arterial Alignment)

8.2 5.0 8.3

14.3 20.5 21.5

10 $838,799,000 11 $317,812,000

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Findings to Date

Initial Implementation Cost Estimates

Professional Service and Contingencies

Alternative / Alignment

Total Cost to Implement

Cost / Mile (Millions)

Infrastructure

Vehicles

ROW

Commuter Rail

$1,214,330,000

$173,745,000

$701,730,000

$689,855,000

$2,779,660,000

$58.52

Interstate 65

$1,921,385,000

$96,417,000

$292,545,000

$991,903,000

$3,302,250,000

$141.12

LRT

I ‐ 65 / CSX

$1,777,056,000

$77,816,000

$339,525,000

$923,154,000

$3,117,551,000

$151.34

Interstate 65

$361,041,000

$50,804,000

$220,725,000

$206,229,000

$838,799,000

$40.92

BRT

I ‐ 65 / Arterial

$139,356,000

$52,551,000

$46,845,000

$79,060,000

$317,812,000

$14.78

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Findings to Date

Operations and Maintenance Cost Estimates

O&M Cost (Annual)

Alternative / Alignment

Commuter Rail

$21.4M

Interstate 65

$10.7M

LRT

Hybrid Interstate 65 / CSX

$9.0M

Interstate 65

$10.8M

BRT

Hybrid Interstate 65 / Arterial

$13.5M

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Agenda Item 3c and 3d. Transportation Performance and other Key Metrics

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Transportation Performance Findings to Date • Travel Time Improvements • Increased Travel Time Reliability • Improved On ‐ Time Performance • Roadway and Traveler Safety • Improved Walkability

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Other Key Quality of Life Metrics Findings to Date

• Improved Residential Access to Jobs and Education • Improved Business Access to Workforce and Customers • Greater Diversity in Housing Choice and Affordability • Greater Opportunity for Long ‐ Term Resiliency • Opportunity to Guide and Manage Growth to Minimize Impact on Public Finances, Natural Environment, and Household Burden

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Communicating Results for Public Input EVALUATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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Agenda Item 4. Committee Discussion

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UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Items for Committee Discussion • How has COVID ‐ 19 altered your expectations for community input and feedback? • What short ‐ term priorities to you want to be sure are incorporated in the final analysis and recommendations? • What formats, beyond webinars and websites, do you think we should consider as we update the community engagement plan?

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