Tysons Trails: Snow Removal & Lighting July 2016

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Department of Public Works and Environmental Services

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Tysons Trails: Snow Removal and Lighting DiscussionBoard of Supervisors Transportation Committee, July 19, 2016

July 2016

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Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion

Tysons Trails – Background and Importance

• The Silver Line was developed without permanent parking in Tysons, although several property owners are and are considering providing parking on a temporary basis;

• The Tysons Comprehensive Plan amendment that was adopted by the Board in June 2010, envisions a more urban, walkable community that is less auto-centric;

• New development located near Metrorail stations is expected to achieve mode splits of 55% for non-single occupant auto trips;

• Achieving these modal splits requires, among other things, a robust network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

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Tysons Trails – Background and Importance• The Comprehensive Plan Amendment includes three new trails from

the neighborhoods adjacent to Tysons to the Metrorail stations in Tysons:– Vesper– Ashgrove– Scotts Run

• Since there are limited opportunities for residents of neighboring communities to drive and park in Tysons, these trails will serve as primary access;

• Unlike recreational trails, users will need to be able to use them following significant snows to access the Metrorail stations and jobs in Tysons;

• This demand for usage requires a different approach than the County has taken in the past.

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Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)

Objectives

• Describe scope of work to clear snow and provide lighting for proposed Tysons trails: Vesper, Scotts Run and Ashgrove and potentially other trails leading to Metrorail stations.

• Compare existing DPWES-Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division (MSMD) and Capital Facilities priorities and budget to the proposed trail scope of work

• Secure concurrence from Board on appropriate level of service for:– Vesper Trail in Tysons and future Tysons trails described herein– Other trails leading to Metrorail stations countywide

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Vesper Trail• 10-foot wide, asphalt trail to be

completed and open to public by September 2017;

• Vesper Trail connects neighborhoods in Vienna to Spring Hill Road Metrorail Station

• Approximately 2,100 feet long with one bridge crossing of Old Courthouse Spring Branch;

• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons lights per the Tysons Urban Design Guidelines;

• Lights are metered, and Dominion Virginia Power does not maintain them because trail is not adjacent to roadway;

• Trail to be constructed on County property beneath Dominion transmission lines.

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Vesper Trail – Proximity to Existing Neighborhoods

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Vesper Trail Snow Removal Considerations• Assume that pre-storm surface

treatment and continuous snow removal are needed, similar to high level of service assigned to park and ride lots and other facilities;

• Work will likely be contracted out;• Based on preliminary estimate,

snow removal cost will be approximately $30,000 annually;

• Costs are based on an average historical cost of $1.36 per square foot of surface cleared.

Vesper Court entrance

Route 7 entrance

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Scotts Run Trail• Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is

managing design and construction;

• Approximately 2,600 feet long with two bridge crossings of Scotts Run;

• Trail connects Magarity Road to Colshire Meadow Drive, near McLean Metrorail Station;

• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons lighting, also will be metered but not maintained by Dominion;

• Snow removal cost estimate: $36,000 per year;

• Tentative completion date in 2019;

• Bridges are labelled as red dots

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Scotts Run Trail - Proximity to McLean Metrorail Station

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Ashgrove Trail Extension• Schedule is to open by 2019;• FCPA will manage design and construction;• Agreement approved by Board on June 7,

2016;• Approximate length of trail extension is

670 feet; • Snow removal is assumed for the new 670

feet section of trail, estimated at $9,100 per year;

• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons lighting along trail extension, also will be metered but not maintained by Dominion .

• Removing snow along existing trail segment over old bridge may require hand removal; that cost is not factored in at this point.

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Ashgrove Trail Extension – Proximity to Spring Hill Metrorail Station

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Overall MSMD Snow Removal Operations• Removes snow from County

facilities, excludes schools;• Removes snow from 15 park &

ride lots and transit centers;• Removes snow from about 24

miles of roads;• Snow removal budget is $1.3M per

year;• Estimated snow removal cost for

three Tysons trails is approximately $75,000 per year;

• In FY 2015, MSMD spent $1.8 M for snow removal;

• In FY 2016, spent $2.3 M.

• Ongoing annual expense: Ranges from $1.8M to $2.5M to remove snow from all County facilities, County roads, and transit facilities.

• Removing snow from trails will be a new responsibility.

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Overall DPWES Capital Facilities Lighting Operations

• Operates a countywide streetlight program via contract with Dominion and NOVEC for public roadways;

• County-owned parking facilities are also lit through program;

• Ongoing annual expense: $5,000 per year for Vesper Trail;

• Scotts Run and Ashgrove Trail lighting maintenance costs are not yet calculated;

• Overall streetlight operating expense in FY16, $8.03 million;

• Tysons standard streetlight design is not deemed standard per County’s contract with Dominion.

• Further, lighting trails that are not adjacent to roadways will be a new responsibility not covered by County’s contract with Dominion.

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Assumptions and ongoing implementation issues

• Proposing that Vesper Trail clearing be a pilot before expanding clearing and lighting to other trails in Tysons and rest of County.

• County will store replacement poles and fixtures.

• Clearing of trail will match priority given to clearing parking garages.

• County and VDOT crews may not clear adjacent areas at compatible times.

• County clearing efforts continue to require removal of windrows.

• A cleared trail’s access to Metro still relies on clearing of sidewalks connecting trailhead to station.

• If a snow clearing ordinance is in effect, affected property owners will clear snow with varying promptness.

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Guidance discussion for other County locations

• Alternatives to discuss:– Vesper Trail to Spring Hill Metrorail Station, Scotts Run Trail and

Ashgrove Trail can be pilots and inform decisions about subsequent trail clearing and lighting efforts near other Metrorail stations.

– Other existing trails near Metrorail stations could be considered for higher level of service following pilot project with Vesper, Scotts Run, and Ashgrove Trails;

– Vesper, Scotts Run, and Ashgrove Trails can be cleared at a lower level of service as determined by MSMD snow removal priorities, also not be lit, meaning less expense but also less trail access during heavier snowfalls.

16Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)

Questions and Discussion

Tysons Trails: Snow Removal & Lighting July 2016

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Transcript of Tysons Trails: Snow Removal & Lighting July 2016