The project schedule has a window for total construction between May 2016 – August 2017, of which construction time at each station is estimated to be four to five months, depending on below-ground and above-ground obstructions and utilities, which have been surveyed. Why does a station require several months to construct? Because of those utilities below ground and any above-ground obstructions. Additionally, the stations will have 911 emergency call boxes installed and CCTV security cameras monitored by local police and GRTC. The stations will also have off-board fare collection kiosks, which require fiber-optic. This station installation is more complex than the current amenities provided at some existing local bus stops.
Will green space be destroyed? The CMAR will be able to address concerns about this throughout the corridor, but think about where buses currently operate curbside and co-exist with the trees there, and where BRT buses will operate in the median in the future. For example, the beautiful trees in the RVA Arts District down to Adams Street are in the sidewalk. The stations and GRTC Pulse travel lanes are in the middle of the road there. Therefore, those trees will continue to provide green space and shade in the sidewalk. Any landscaping in the middle of the road at the stations is currently low-profile and will remain low-profile (think small bushes), so as not to obscure the view of storefronts on either side of the road, and also to keep visibility of pedestrians high.
What about a parking update? As of the 30% design phase, approximately 412 parking spaces are expected to be retained on Broad Street between Thompson Street and 4th Street that were initially projected to be lost. These spaces were saved by working with local businesses and the City of Richmond. All on-street parking will be removed between 4th Street and 14th Street to accommodate curb-running exclusive BRT lanes. Currently, parking is prohibited in this section of the corridor between 4th Street and 14th Street during peak hours (7AM‐9AM and 4PM‐6PM). There are approximately 1,015 existing on-street parking spaces on the side streets within one block of Broad Street between Thompson Street and 14th Street that should not be affected. In the same section, there are approximately 9,800 off-street parking spaces within one block of Broad Street. Implementation of BRT will neither change nor affect these off street parking spaces. Options continue to be vetted through the public input and project partner process.
What about that parking study? The parking study is being reviewed by the Project Partners, and is anticipated to be posted online on July 23, 2015, prior to the next public meetings. Preservation of parking, as you are aware, has been a big effort by the project team to respond to public feedback. The partners have been working with businesses and neighborhoods, as well as large groups like VCU, to identify where parking is essential on Broad Street or not utilized presently. This was so important to the project team that after the January public meetings, they redid the engineering design to preserve more parking than is currently utilized. With further feedback in April, the engineers have worked, in some cases, on a block-by-block basis to address the feedback for the 30% design.
It is important to note that during the next phase of 60% design, there will still be public participation and details to be refined, including loading zones and left-turn access, for example. As the engineers explain, the 30% design is conceptual, and the 60% design becomes more detailed. So please keep sending us your feedback!
Can I see the TIGER Grant? Sure! Check the Project Narrative out here and the Letters of Support for it here.
What about Special Events? The decision to grant access to any event causing a road closure (on which local fixed route or GRTC Pulse service) will operate is up to the City of Richmond’s Special Events procedures. That includes involvement from the Richmond Police Department, The CAO Office, the Director of City Parks & Rec, Chief of Fire, and Chief of Police. GRTC Pulse will be capable of moving lots of people quickly, conveniently and in a multi-modal-friendly capacity to and from special events.
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