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» Arlington County and Columbia Pike

» Implementation Schedule

Updated 2/21/2012

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Following Pike
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» What alternatives are being analyzed in the Draft AA/EA?

» What are the capital cost estimates associated with the alternatives?

» Why are the capital cost estimates for the Streetcar Build Alternative higher than previously indicated?

» How will this project be funded?

Updated 2/13/2012

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Columbia Pike Multimodal Project

Arlington County has initiated a related project, the Columbia Pike Multimodal Project. This study addresses all modes of transportation along Columbia Pike, including related right-of-way parameters, environmental features, and utilities issues along the entire length of Columbia Pike in Arlington County. The Columbia Pike Transit Initiative and the Multimodal Project are coordinating on the technical aspects and public involvement as both projects move forward.

Current Status - Columbia Pike Transit Initiative

Arlington County and Fairfax County are proposing a streetcar line in the Columbia Pike corridor. The two counties have engaged the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (also known as "Metro"), to prepare a combined Environmental Assessment/Alternatives Analysis and are in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration for Federal environmental procedures and capital funding.

The completion of these technical documents will satisfy the requirements of a New Starts/Small Starts grant application and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This process requires detailed evaluation of multiple alternatives and comparison of the proposed "streetcar build" alternative to a "no build" alternative and a bus improvements alternative.

In early 2010, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that the New Starts/Small Starts criteria will continue to consider cost effectiveness for project funding decisions, but that increased emphasis will be placed on environmental sustainability, livability, and economic development impact in decision making.

The Pike Transit Initiative includes collaborative involvement opportunities to engage stakeholders and the public. Through ongoing interactions with the Community Coordination, Technical Advisory, and Policy Committees, the project team informs and receives input from citizens, community/civic leaders, property and business owners, government agency representatives, and elected officials.

See how you can get involved! Please continue your visits to our website, attend our public meetings/hearings, and send us your comments.

Implementation Schedule

The implementation schedule—showing streetcar operation in 2017—reflects the time anticipated to complete environmental documentation; obtain appropriate approvals; determine the project sponsor for project delivery and operations; conclude funding commitments; and design, construct, and test the system. The schedule anticipates use of the Design-Build method of project delivery, which combines the design and construction phases.

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