Pulse Point: Brief, Minor Pre-Construction Activities Continue

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound and westbound Broad Street between Staples Mill Road and 14^th Street

·         East Main Street between 14^th Street and Orleans Street

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations during collection of soil borings for testing.  The borings are being performed as a pre-construction activity of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to a small, focused area.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) for a small stretch (usually less than 100 feet long) and for only a short period of time (usually less than one hour) with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open.

Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and pre-construction activities. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East. A few borings may be necessary at the Willow Lawn station site in Henrico County.

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on pre-construction activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.

Pulse Point: Brief, Minor Pre-Construction Activities Next Week

From Monday, June 20, 2016 through Wednesday, June 22, 2016, the Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractors will be conducting brief pre-construction activities as part of the scope validation process.  Their work will be limited to a small, focused area of quick activity.  This brief, temporary work will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) for only a short period of time with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open. 

Why is this brief work being done?  The DB Team needs to collect soil borings from the travel lanes and the medians where some of the stations will be.  Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and pre-construction activities. Construction of the “Pulse” has not commenced.

As a reminder, this limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East.

Pulse Point: June 9, 2016

“Pulse Point” updates will be issued increasingly once construction begins. A Pulse Point indicates activity and energy! Keep your finger on these Pulse Points, and you’ll always be in the know of what’s going on, where and why.

Where are we now? 

We have a contractor! Here’s what happened. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) completed its procurement process for a Design-Build Team in April 2016. On April 20, 2016 the Commonwealth Transportation Board ratified the decision to move forward with Lane Construction Corporation / STV Design for the Design Build contract.  VDOT approved this award to the Lane / STV Team to complete Final Design and administer construction with a bid of $47,295,500.  To view the award letter click:

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/APD_Docs/Award_Letters/108069_-_Award_Letter.pdf

Finally on April 29, 2016 a Notice to Proceed was sent to the Lane / STV Team.  Since then, the Team has been working on final design and scope validation. More on that in a moment.

Just to be clear, everything publicly approved in the design is still there?

Yes! The Lane / STV Team’s plan reflects everything presented to the public in 2015 and approved unanimously by the City of Richmond’s Urban Design Committee and Planning Commission in November 2015. No design feature was sacrificed. The project will be delivered exactly as approved by the Project Partners. Huzzah!

Does the Lane / STV Team have experience with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects? 

Yep, they know what they’re doing. The Lane / STV Team share experience on BRTs, including the Alexandria Bus Rapid Transit project (also a TIGER project).  They demonstrated through their Technical Proposal a clear understanding of the scope of work including systems, utilities, stakeholder communications, and infrastructure, as well as the related risks and challenges. 

The Lane / STV Team is also known for their effective public outreach and efficient Design-Build construction process.  Lane has received two notable awards, which include:

o   Public Outreach: VDOT and Megaprojects, Commonwealth of Virginia Award of Excellence, Integrated Communications

o   Construction Management Association of America 2013 Project Achievement Award

Here are some examples of Lane / STV Team's previous (LRT or BRT) experience:

LANE and STV designed and constructed the traffic signals, pavement markings, and signage for the Alexandria BRT Project.

STV developed the technical specifications for the TSP on SANDAG/MTS buses similar to what is required for this project.

Is the Lane / STV Team familiar with the Richmond region?

Yes, this is home turf. Many of the Lane / STV Team Members live in and/or work in the Richmond region.  They understand the fabric of the region and are personally invested in the success of the project. 

Okay, so when is construction starting?

The projected start date of construction is October 2016, depending on how quickly the scope validation and final design process is completed. Scope validation is when the Team independently verifies site conditions of the corridor prior to construction. This process is expected to end June 24, 2016 with specific construction details available later this Summer. Final design is occurring now through August 2016. Final design is exactly what it sounds like – the Team is taking the design documents already vetted by the public and approved and is completing any remaining design elements. Remember, the stations, locations, vehicles and general look and feel of the Pulse is already designed.

Great, so when can I ride?

October 2017!

Quarterly Public Informational Meeting: April 26 & 27, 2016

The next quarterly GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit – BRT) Project Public Informational Meetings are scheduled. The purpose of these meetings is to provide an informal project update and a status report of the Design-Build procurement process.   Content of these meetings is identical; please plan to attend the meeting most convenient for your schedule.   Members of the media are invited to attend. The public comment period for this project closed in February 2016.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Armstrong High School

2300 Cool Lane

This location is conveniently accessible from the GRTC bus system (Route 44).  Parking is available in the school parking lot. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Main Street Station

1500 E. Main Street

This location is conveniently accessible from the GRTC bus system (Routes 11, 52 & 53) and is near the Temporary Transfer Plaza.  Free parking (unmarked spaces) is permitted in the east parking lot on Main Street.  Entrance is accessible between Main Street Station and 17th Street.  Free parking is also available at the Plaza located between Main and Cary Streets directly across from Main Street Station (enter from Main or Cary). 

Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. GRTC strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for persons who require assistance to participate. For special assistance, contact Ashley Mason at 804-474-9364 or email amason@ridegrtc.com at least 72 hours prior to the public informational meeting.  GRTC Transit System’s CARE and CARE Plus services provide curb-to-curb Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to residents of the Richmond Region.  To schedule a reservation, you may contact us:

• Phone: (804) 782-CARE (2273). Call Center Open 7 days a week, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Voicemail:  Call (804) 782-CARE (2273) then, when prompted, press “3” to leave a voicemail. Be sure to provide the customer’s first & last name and a callback phone number along with the reservation request.  A CARE representative will call back to confirm.
• Email: grtc.cvan@mvtransit.com. A CARE representative will confirm via email once the reservation is processed.
•  Fax: (804) 474-9993. A CARE representative will confirm via return fax or phone call once the reservation is processed.

Onward! Richmond City Council Approves The Pulse Development Agreement

City Council listens to City CAO Selena Cuffee-Glenn and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne on February 8, 2016. 

Monday, February 8, 2016 was a pivotal moment in Richmond transit history.  Richmond City Council voted to authorize the City's Chief Administrative Officer to sign the first legal agreement between the Project Partners (City of Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation and GRTC). This document allows the Project to advance to the construction phase.  You can view the City Ordinance and the Project
Development Agreement on the City’s Legistar site HERE.

The line of those speaking in favor of the Pulse during the public comment period stretched out the back of Council Chambers.

So what’s next?
The Project Partners will all sign the Development Agreement that carries the Partners through construction. Also, VDOT's procurement process for a Design-Build (DB) team is ongoing. After the Semi-Final Design Phase wrapped up in September 2015 and received unanimous final votes of approval in November 2015 from both the Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission, VDOT was able to incorporate those approved design plans into the procurement documents.

Wait, what's this procurement process like? 
In the free marketplace, project designers and builders come together to form teams and prove to VDOT that they are qualified to make the Pulse a reality. That phase was the "Request for Qualifications," and three teams were deemed qualified to progress into the "Request for Proposals" phase, which is happening now. These teams will compete with each other until one successful proposing team is selected to take the design specifications already vetted through the public and partner review process, adhere to those, and construct the Project on time and within budget. We expect to know who the successful DB team is in March 2016. Early construction activities are anticipated to start April 2016. Typically, construction is started on the portion of the project that has been designed to 100%. Simultaneously, the DB team will complete any remaining design items according to the specs. This is where DB teams use their creativity and innovation to meet the construction timeline and budget.

How can I learn more about the Pulse and stay informed once construction begins?
Once the DB team is selected, they will be in attendance at many meetings and also proactively engage the public on the construction timeline and what to expect. The GRTC Pulse Team continues to meet with organizations, businesses, neighborhood associations and community centers in the Greater Richmond Area.  If you would like to meet with the team or invite us to your meeting, please email your request to brt@ridegrtc.com, including the requested date, time, duration, location, and any other specific request.  The team will provide informational folders, update the status of the project, answer questions and receive feedback.

Will I still be able to get to that restaurant I love Downtown?
YES! The Design-Builder will work closely with businesses to both preserve and encourage access to businesses.  This will include relevant signage guiding customers (both pedestrian and in vehicles) to businesses. We encourage you to support the businesses along the Pulse!

THANK YOU
Finally, we want to thank everyone who has participated in this Project so far. Your voices have made the Pulse better. We look forward to continued engagement. Onward, together.

Packed City Council Chambers on Monday, February 8, 2016.

Quarterly Public Informational Meeting: January 19, 20 & 23, 2016

The next quarterly Public Informational Meeting for the GRTC Pulse project will be held at the invitation of The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District. Both meetings are identical in content. An update on the status of the project will be given, including information about the related GRTC Bus Rapid Transit Route Modifications and East End Connections study.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016
6:30 PM - 8 PM
NRC - Neighborhood Resource Center/Fulton
1519 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, VA

Wednesday, January 20, 2016
6 PM - 7:30 PM
FRC - Family Resource Center
2405 Jefferson Avenue, Richmond, VA

A third, identical meeting is a joint meeting at the invitation of The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District and of The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
10:30 AM – 12 PM
Martin Luther King Jr Middle School
1000 Mosby St, Richmond, VA

Public comments may be submitted within five days of the meeting via email to brt@ridegrtc.com or delivered to GRTC Transit System, C/O Ashley Mason, 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23224.

Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. GRTC strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for persons who require assistance to participate. For special assistance, call Ashley Mason at 804-474-9364 or email amason@ridegrtc.com at least 72 hours prior to the public informational meeting.

GRTC Transit System’s CARE and CARE Plus services provide curb-to-curb Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to citizens of the Richmond Region. CARE and CARE Plus provide public transportation access to individuals with disabilities who may not be reasonably able to use GRTC fixed route bus service. To schedule a reservation, you may contact us by phone, voicemail, email, or fax:
• Phone: (804) 782-CARE (2273). Call Center Open 7 days a week, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Voicemail:  Call (804) 782-CARE (2273) then, when prompted, press “3” to leave a voicemail. Be sure to provide the customer’s first & last name and a callback phone number along with the reservation request.  A CARE representative will call back to confirm.
• Email: grtc.cvan@mvtransit.com. A CARE representative will confirm via email once the reservation is processed.
• Fax: (804) 474-9993. A CARE representative will confirm via return fax or phone call once the reservation is processed.

Transit Means Business Forum: Video Recap

Being globally competitive requires a high quality, high capacity, world-class transportation system.

In order to thrive, businesses need access to the employees, customers, investors, young talent and amenities that accompany excellent transit. The Transit Means Business Forum on 12/1/15 was a chance for the business community to network and hear informative presentations from business leaders and goverment officials, sharing what transit and access mean for businesses and the region’s economic development.

The program included:

Aubrey Layne, Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia, "Transit Fuels the Economic Engines"
John Martin, Southeastern Institute of Research, "Transit Gets Them Here -- Demographic Shifts Pointing to Multimodal Choices"
Lorna Parkins, Michael Baker International, "Regional Transit Vision Plan Overview"

A panel of speakers on why transit matters to economic and business growth in the Richmond region, including:
Pat Tiernan, Chief Operating Officer, Stone Brewing Co.
Ted Ukrop, Developer, Quirk Hotel
Greg Talley, Director of Human Resources, Kings Dominion