HomeMy WebLinkAbout20031493.tiff tatewide Planning News
News on the Statewide Transportation Planning Process
... Spring 2003
2030 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN MOVES FORWARD
2030 Statewide Transportation Plan Given projections coming in much lower than previously
Transportation Commission Approval for anticipated, along with the suspension of any SB-1
Acceleration fund transfers until sometime between 2007 and 2010,
the 2020 Statewide Transportation Plan seemed no
Yes! It's true! CDOT has begun updating the 2020 longer reasonable as a fiscally constrained planning
Statewide Transportation Plan! At its November 2002 document.
meeting,the Transportation Commission approved
accelerating the schedule for completing the 2030 Also,though rules and regulations state that the
Statewide Transportation Plan. The 2030 Statewide Statewide Transportation Plan needs to be updated
Transportation Plan, originally scheduled to be every six years,the non-attainment MPOs—the
adopted by the Transportation Commission in the fall Denver Regional Council of Governments(DRCOG),
of 2006,will now be completed by mid-summer 2005. the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
(PPACG), and the North Front Range Transportation
Several factors played into the final decision for and Air Quality Planning Council (NFRT&AQPC)—
accelerating the schedule- including state budget are all required to complete transportation plan
concerns and the update cycle for the non-attainment updates every three years. All three non-attainment
Metropolitan Planning Organizations'(MPOs) 2030 MPOs updated their 2025 Regional Plans in 2001 and
Regional Transportation Plans. As many of you are 2002 and are scheduled to complete another update of
well aware,the state's budget shortfalls have impacted their regional plans with a 2030 planning horizon by
every state agency, including CDOT. With current early 2004. This would take their planning window 10
years beyond the majority of the Transportation
Planning Regions(TPRs). This ten year difference
would also mean that those MPOs would be utilizing
INSIDE THIS ISSUE different revenue and demographic projections. The
Transportation Commission felt that differences in
Page
projections and the planning window were too
1 2030 Statewide Transportation Plan substantial to ignore.
Moves Forward
2 2030 Kick-Off Held with STAG Since November,CDOT efforts have concentrated on
2 Environmental Justice- Including the the logistics of scheduling the critical deadlines and
Human Environment in Transportation tasks necessary for completing the process.
Planning Workshops have been scheduled with the
3 2030 Statewide Transportation Planning Transportation Commission every month to assist
Team Welcomes Region Planning Liaisons them with determining policy level decisions with
4 2003 Strategic Investment Plan Rolls Into which to take the 2030 Statewide Transportation Plan.
2030 Statewide Plan Public outreach meetings have also been conducted
5 Tolling Enters CDOT Plans around the state in order to gather input from
6 TREX Moving in Right Direction legislators, local elected officials,transportation
6 Calendar planning representatives and the public. Both the
7 Transportation Investment Strategy- workshops and the public outreach meetings have
Performance Measures to be used in centered on providing information for the following
Developing 2030 Plans core areas:
See 2030 Plan on page 2
C-6tertn WV/ 2 OAS' Statewide Manning News 1 R \ 2003-1493
...... ..
2030 Kick-Off Meeting Held with Environmental Justice —
STAC Including the Human Environ-
ment in Transportation Planning
Members of the Statewide Transportation Advisory
Committee (STAC) and transportation consultants As everyone knows,you cannot have a Statewide
were provided an overview of the planning process Transportation Plan if you don't have input from, well,
and accelerated schedule on February 7, 2003 at the everyone. CDOT's Executive Director,Tom Norton,
2030 Regional Transportation Plan Kick-Off Meeting has repeatedly stated that the 2030 Statewide
held at CDOT Headquarters. Though a few STAC Transportation Plan will be"Colorado's long-range
members have gone through both previous statewide transportation plan,not just another CDOT plan." To
planning processes, the Kick-Off Meeting provided an accomplish this,public outreach is vital. CDOT is
opportunity for the CDOT staff to review existing thus making a concerted effort,and asking the same of
I guidelines as well as provide information for new the Transportation Planning Regions (TPRs),to
requirements to everyone in one setting. request local elected officials and the public to
participate,have their voices heard, and provide input
Development of the 2030 Regional Transportation into the 2030 Statewide transportation planning
Plans is the first important step in the development of process. Part of this effort includes addressing the
the 2030 Statewide Transportation Plan. With this issue of Environmental Justice.
planning process, Transportation Planning Regions
will have the opportunity to explore new ideas for What is Environmental Justice?
prioritizing the needs in each region. Some of those The term Environmental Justice has been in the
i.
ideas include Corridor Visions and Performance government lexicon since 1994 with Environmental
Measures, as well as new funding sources. Justice Executive Order 12898. The concept,
however,has been in place since the Civil Rights Act
In addition to presentations explaining the different of 1964,Title VI. In this Act it is stated that"No
aspects of the planning process, each STAC person in the United States shall,on the grounds of
representative was provided a copy of the updated race,color, or national origin,be excluded from
Regional Planning Guidebook. Questions regarding participation in,be denied the benefits of, or be
the guidebook should be directed to George Ventura at subjected to discrimination under any program or
george.ventura(a)dot.state.co.us or(303)757-9495. activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Copies of the Guidebook are also available on CDOT's
website. • Executive Order 12898 serves to strengthen the
language in the Civil Rights Act with regard to
minority and low-income populations. From this
2030 Plan,continued from page 1
Executive Order, federal agencies were directed to
• 2030 Revenue Projections "identify and address disproportionately high and
• Performance Objectives adverse human health or environmental effects of
• Strategic System Vision/Corridor Vision progi urns,policies,and activities on minority and low-
• Statewide Planning Policies income populations." Because CDOT receives federal
• Resource Allocation funding,it is paramount that we also abide by this
Executive Order.
At their May meeting,the Transportation
Commission will consider the information they have Environmental Justice Research Study
received, as well as comments that have been In the fall of 2001,CDOT embarked on a two year
submitted and review the decisions to be made based research study on how the Department currently
on this input. Those decisions, expected sometime complies with the principles of Environmental Justice.
between June and August,will complete the Specifically,how does CDOT include populations that
framework that will assist the Transportation may be traditionally under-served in the transportation
Planning Regions in the development of their planning process and how can CDOT and the
regional transportation plans and, subsequently, the Transportation Planning Regions improve that
2030 Statewide Transportation Plan. • See Environmental Justice on pa:e 4
Statewide Planning Flews 2
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The 2030 Statewide Transportation Planning Team-Front Row(Ito r):Vicki Kraus,Ann Skinner, Marilyn
Beem, Leah Ware,Jamie Collins, Irene Merrifield, Bob Marusin, Lizziet Kemp, and Kathy Engelson.
Back Row(I to r): Myron Hora,Todd Jorgensen, Jennifer Stewart, Scott Young, Laurie Blanz,Andy Garton,
George Ventura,and David Miller.
2030 Statewide Transportation Planning Team Welcomes Region
Transportation Planning Liaisons
The 2030 Statewide/Regional Planning process has With improved communication and information
been getting special
g g p attention from Executive Director sharing as the primary goal,the liaisons will actively
Tom Norton and the entire CDOT Executive attend meetings with local elected officials and
Management Team(EMT). Mr.Norton recognizes the legislators, as well as assist with public participation
importance of grassroots planning and participation activities While they will be bringing information to
from the citizens of Colorado at all levels, from the local elected officials and legislators,they will also be
public to local elected officials and legislators. It is providing local input to CDOT staff and management.
only through broad based participation that Colorado
can truly say that it has developed the 2030 Statewide The 2030 Region Transportation Planning Liaisons
Transportation Plan. are:
CDOT Region 1 (Aurora) -Ann Skinner
To that end, Mr.Norton and the EMT agreed that (303) 512-4033 - Denver; (303)916-2479 -cell
CDOT should augment existing planning staff at
headquarters, as well as the Region offices, with a CDOT Region 2(Pueblo) -Andy Garton
transportation planning liaison from each of the six (303) 757-9506-Denver; (719)546-5438 - Pueblo
CDOT Regions who can work more closely and
intensively with the communities in their areas. The CDOT Region 3 (Grand Junction)- David Miller
six representatives were selected by the Region (303) 512-4019- Denver; (970)248-7216-Grand
Transportation Directors. Though each liaison is Junction
primarily working at CDOT's Headquarter Complex in
Denver for the next few months,they will eventually CDOT Region 4(Greeley) -Myron Hora
split their time between their Region home-base and (303)512-4032 - Denver; (970)350-2263 -Greeley
Denver.
CDOT Region 5 (Durango)- Laurie Blanz
Through the addition of the Region liaisons, CDOT's (303) 757-9816-Denver; (970)385-1400- Durango
entire 2030 Statewide Transportation Planning Team
will be able to provide better assistance to the Region CDOT Region 6(Denver) -Bob Marusin
Planning Commissions during the development of the (303) 512-4944-Denver •
2030 Regional and Statewide Transportation Plans.
Statewide Planning News 3
2003 Strategic Investment Plan segments for possible inclusion into their fiscally
Rolls Into 2030 Statewide Plan constrained region plans using existing revenues.
At its October 23, 2002 workshop,the Transportation With present budgeting forecasts,SB-1 funds, which
Commission made the decision to include the 2003 are used specifically for Strategic Projects, are not
Strategic Investment Plan with the 2030 Statewide expected to be available until possibly 2009. By
Plan process. Beginning in the fall of 2001,the 2003 rolling the 2003 strategic projects into 2030,the TPRs
Strategic Investment Plan had been developed to assist are given the opportunity to provide further input as
CDOT and the Transportation Planning Regions funds become available and the Commission decides it
(TPRs)to determine the next set of statewide strategic is timely to finalize a new list of strategic projects. •
transportation projects for funding consideration. The
2003 project list was originally scheduled to be Environmental Justice,continued from page 2
adopted by the Commission in December 2002. outreach. A research panel,comprised of CDOT
However, due to current economic conditions,the Planning, Environmental,and EEO staff,as well as
Commission instead directed the 2003 effort to representatives from the Federal Highway
continue through the regional/statewide transportation Administration,the Environmental Protection
plan update process for the 2030 Statewide Agency,and the Denver Regional Council of
Transportation Plan. Governments,was organized to work with the
consultant DMJM+Harris.
Development of the 2003 project list has been a major
cooperative effort between CDOT and the TPRs. During the first phase of the study the panel
Sixty projects were selected and then prioritized by the examined the current federal regulations and various
Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee case studies around the nation. Various phone
(STAC). Projects that are currently part of the 7th Pot, interviews were then conducted with several
but delayed due to budget constraints,were given first transportation agencies around the nation,as well as
priority for completion. The remaining projects were with CDOT Project Managers,to assess the
then prioritized into second and third level priorities. processes and practices currently in place related to
Environmental Justice. Statistical data was also
How,then,will the 2003 effort roll into 2030? The collected from the Census Bureau,the Housing and
Transportation Commission agreed to the following Urban Develop(HUD)and other resources that
recommendations. Delayed 7th Pot project costs, as provide information on population and housing
defined in TRANs,will be included in the fiscally characteristics. This data was used to develop
constrained portion of the 2030 Statewide thresholds for CDOT in order to assist with locating
Transportation Plan. This includes the I-70 East and the affected populations for planning as well as
West Corridors, as well as the 1-70 West Mountain public involvement.
Corridor. However,these project scopes are limited
by dollars that have already been identified for their Study Findings
completion. So,what did the research panel find? At the
completion of the first phase,the panel recommended
Remaining projects from the 2003 list will be provided that CDOT update its MPO Guidance Manual,the
to the TPRs at the start of the Plan update process. Regional Transportation Planning Guidebook and the
This information will include full project scopes and Public Participation Guidelines to include
cost estimates,broken down into project segments,as information on environmental justice in order to
well as any transit elements. As the TPRs are assist those involved in the regional and statewide
developing their regional plans they can continue to transportation planning processes. Both the Regional
provide further review and refinement of the projects. Transportation Planning Guidebook and Public
Refinement should include project segments,their Participation Guidelines have been updated.
associated scopes/costs,and a prioritization of those Updated material will be included in the next update
segments. These projects should then be included in of the MPO Guidance Manual.
the TPR's regional preferred plans. TPRs will also be
requested to identify and prioritize specific project The research panel used the demographic data that
continued on next page
Statewide Planning News 4
had been collected to develop map templates using the Tolling Enters CDOT Plans
1990 Census data. These maps help demonstrate Written by Dennis Van Patter, CDOT Public Relations
where minority and low-income populations reside
around the state. Once complete, copies of these maps When economic times are tough, "toll" is a word we
with 2000 Census data will be provided to each urban will hear more often at CDOT.
and rural TPR as another tool for use in their regional
planning process. Funds are scarce now, and with demands on the state's
transportation system increasing, tolls are among the
Other recommendations from the panel include concepts being considered.
developing a training module for both internal and
external planners and engineering professionals that Specifically,the Colorado General Assembly passed
can be used as an educational tutorial or in training legislation last spring creating the Statewide Tolling
presentations. The panel is currently developing a Enterprise,a government-owned nonprofit business
training module for this purpose. Lastly,the panel operating within,and as a division of, CDOT. The
recommended CDOT consider developing a purpose is to finance, construct,operate,regulate, and
Department policy for Environmental Justice that maintain a system of toll highways in Colorado.
could be incorporated into the mainstream of CDOT
work activities. If you're worried that the existing highway system
may be converted to toll roads, you can relax.
During the second phase of the study,the research
panel conducted a survey of community leaders and New Capacity
representatives from around the state to determine "The Tollway T4 i
effective techniques for reaching low-income and Enterprise is focusing
minority populations. Some suggestions for more on creating new .001
Eikj l
successful outreach include: capacity under this
concept," noted Or
• Go to where the people are- we should travel to interim Enterprise
the public and not expect them to travel to us Director Peggy Catlin, ;, '1"1""6021•I,
• Use smaller settings for meetings—people tend to who is CDOT's
open up more in a small informal setting versus a Deputy Executive
large venue full of strangers Director. "With the funding shortage right now,this
• Know the history of an area as well as its may be the only way we can finance critical new
populations corridors or increase the capacity of existing
• Provide representation at community events,e.g., corridors."
town festivals, fairs
• Advertise activities on community bulletin boards The Colorado Transportation Commission serves as
• Utilize information displays at Senior Day events, the Enterprise board. The group is currently studying
e.g.,malls,senior centers improvements along the I-70 corridor east of Denver,
and along the C-470 beltway loop south/southwest of
Finally,the research panel is working with CDOT's Denver,two projects which total about $1 billion.
Investment Analysis Unit to develop performance
measures that can be used to assess the success of "We're looking for ways to provide travelers with
CDOT's efforts to include low-income and minority more options,"Catlin noted. "Existing travel lanes
populations in the transportation planning process. won't have fees even if toll lanes are added." In
These performance measures will be tied to the addition to adding capacity,toll lanes could reduce
Investment Strategy and Asset Management Program. congestion by providing some motorists the option of
driving in adjacent toll lanes.
In all,environmental justice strategies are designed to
assist with CDOT's overall goal for this planning The new legislation gives the Tolling Enterprise
process—to increase participation from all population authority to conduct all aspects of building and
groups around the state. • operating toll highways,including setting and
See Tolling on page 8
Statewi&e Planning News 5
e T-REX Progress
P'.C'44 (' „1 - y4+� P� v. in Construction at the 1-25/I-
{ -fie , . - ;.
225 interchange progresses
� along the T-REX corridor.
r r"Fes , titdr - The interchange is being
x• -t, completely re-constructed in
" order to improve traffic flow
�r=4, ^ as well as accommodate
4 -- .,s "- light rail transit. Light rail
f �1' will run along 1-25, with a
connecting route to the Park
n Ride structure at I-255
and Parker Road.
t
Photo by Gregg Gargan,
.:.. - ' CDOT
T-REX MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Written by Toni Gatzen,T-REX Project Team
Colorado's mega design-build Transportation been able to complete the project in only five years,
Expansion Project(T-REX) is moving at full speed instead of the traditional 15 to 20."
into 2003,both on schedule and within budget. The
$1.67 billion project is a unique partnership between The project that began design in Summer 2001 will
the Colorado Department of Transportation(CDOT), be completed by Fall 2006. "It's hard to put a price
the Regional Transportation District(RTD),the tag on the value of a good transportation system.
Federal Transit Administration(FTA) and Federal Companies evaluate whether they should move to a
Highway Administration(FHWA). The Southeast region based on how well it can handle basic
Corridor Constructors(SECC) is the design-build functions like transportation. I think T-REX is going
contractor for the project,whose contract at$1.12 to be an incredible asset to the economic
billion is the largest single transportation design-build development potential of Denver,"said Rick Clarke,
contract currently in the country. Additionally,the T-REX deputy project director.
projects overall budget includes a$90 million contract
for purchase of 34 light rail vehicles,awarded to For more information on the T-REX project call
Siemens and a$28 million award for construction of a (303) 357-8600 or access the web at
new light rail facility to Mortenson. Cost of T-REX is www.trexproject.com. •
being shared by CDOT at$795 million and RTD's
portion at$879 million. At the end of 2002 the project
was 81%complete with design work and 25 % CALENDAR
complete with construction; overall,the project is 32%
complete. Transportation Commission*
Thursday, June 19, CDOT HQ Auditorium
During 2002 the T-REX corridor went through a Transportation Commission
multitude of changes and met many milestones. Thursday, July 17, CDOT HQ Auditorium
"Being able to see visible progress in the corridor has
been exciting," said Larry Warner T-REX project For agenda and meeting times, please contact the
director. "Without the acceleration of the bonding and Transportation Commission Office at 303 757-9207 or
the use of the design-build process,we would not have n'n'u<dotstate.co.us
Statewide Planning News 6
Transportation Investment Strategy - Performance Measures to be
used in Developing 2030 Plans
Investment Strategy Model
Each year,the Transportation Commission of
Colorado decides how to program approximately$775
million in state and federal revenues to address a wide — — — —
range of transportation-related needs. In the past,key .or
policy and planning instruments, such as the 12
Statewide Transportation Policies,the 2020 Statewide �� Objectives
Transportation Plan, and STIP(Statewide 1
Transportation Improvement Program)provided i
is,
general guidance on the priorities for allocating these i .,
i
resources. However,various investment decisions L — — — a performance Measures
were being made without the benefit of trade off At
analysis that clarifies the impacts of a given decision
on the CDOT's long-term goals,or the effect on the This has provided the structure around which goals,
performance of other program areas. Therefore CDOT T objectives and performance measures have been
began the development of a Transportation Investment developed.jtisA three tiered approach was veieen,
Strategy and Performance Measures program that can each level oe CDOT to their
be used on a yearly basis to relate the expenditures and respective responsibility,the yet know focus ot at e is linkage
work results to the goals of the Department.
from top down and bottom up. This allows for a
Key elements of this Transportation Investment/ discussion of trade offs if changes in results or dollars
Performance Measure effort are to assure that the
are desired.
CDOT's mission and Transportation Commission As we embark on the 2030 Statewide Planning
goals are clearly linked to the activities of the
Department. The Colorado Department of process,the CDOT Investment Strategy framework
Transportation mission is: "To provide Colorado with will be presented and explained at each of the public
the best possible multimodal transportation system that meetings. With this information and assistance from
will effectively move people, goods and information." CDOT staff,the Transportation Planning Regions will
Working with the Commission, CDOT identified the be asked to develop a vision and provide goals that
following five (5) major business functions or will support their vision. Next the TPR's will develop
Investment Categories: strategies that will assist them in achieving their goals.
This information will then be integrated into the
SAFETY Regional Transportation Plan and finally into the 2030
• SYSTEM QUALITY Statewide Plan. This process will help ensure that the
• MOBILITY projects selected through the Statewide Planning
•
• STRATEGIC PROJECTS Process meet unified goals for the TPR's, CDOT and
• PROGRAM DELIVERY Colorado and represent a planning document that
everyone can use. • _
Air dr. Air
h MP
Statewide Planning News 7
Tolling,continued from page 5
adjusting tolls,issuing revenue bonds, overseeing In September the Transportation Commission
• maintenance,and exploring public/private authorized a loan of$1 million from the Highway
partnerships. Users Trust Fund(HUTF)to establish the Special
Revenue Fund and get the Enterprise up and running.
Nonprofit Intent The loan must be repaid with interest.
The intent is for the Enterprise to operate like a
nonprofit,to adjust tolls so that revenues are a close as The Commission expects future tollways projects to be
possible to the amount required for ongoing operation. identified through the existing statewide planning
process used to establish Colorado's 2030 Statewide
The legislation also created the Statewide Tolling Transportation Plan. Federal,state,and CDOT
Enterprise Special Revenue Fund. Revenues from mandates for environmental studies,public input,and
tolls and other sources will go into the fund,then may other considerations will apply to all tollway projects.
be used only to pay for administration,planning,
financing, and other operations expenses of the "Tolling may help us improve our overall
tollways. The Transportation Commission has transportation system,"Catlin explained. "The time
exclusive authority to budget and approve for this type of enterprise has arrived." •
expenditures from the fund.
Statewide Planning News is produced by CDOT's Division of Transportation Development, Statewide
Planning Section. Any questions about articles herein,unless otherwise noted, should be directed to:
Jamie Collins at the address below OR
Phone: (303)757-9814 Fax: (303)757-9727
E-mail: jamie.d.collins@dot.state.co.us Web page: http://www.dot.state.co.us
,e OT PRESRT STD
U.S. Postage
itimplinomme PAID
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Denver. CO
Colorado Department of Transportation PERMIT 738
4201 East Arkansas Avenue,EP#6606
Denver, Colorado 80222
County Commission Chairman
Neki :our ity
915 10th St
Greeley CO 80631-1 1 1 7 15
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