Alexandria is seeking $3.5 million in state funding for a new feature that could improve bus stops across the city.
Hillary Orr, deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, said in a letter to the Transportation Commission that the city is proposing to apply for a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement program and the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP).
The state funds are flexible and can be used for a variety of regional transportation projects.
Orr said the city is seeking the $3.5 million for bus bulbs, a type of curb extension that pushes the bus stop out to be even with the parking lane, allowing buses to pick up and drop off passengers without leaving the traffic lane.
“Bus bulbs are a proven way to increase bus speed and to improve the rider’s experience by providing more space for amenities such as benches and shelters,” Orr said.. This funding would support priorities in the Alexandria Mobility Plan (AMP) and the Alexandria Transit Vision Plan and would allow for planning, design and construction of bus bulbs throughout the City.”
Orr’s memo noted that there have already been a few bus bulbs installed on key transit corridors, like the Mount Vernon Avenue, but the funding would help the city install them elsewhere.
“While the specific locations will be determined closer to the time funding is available, upgrading temporary bus bulbs would be prioritized,” Orr said.
The city is seeking $2 million to help with Safe Routes to School. The letter said the city has implemented more than half of the Safe Routes to Schools recommendations, but there’s still work left.
“Currently, more than half of the Safe Routes to School recommendations have been implemented, but many of the remaining items are larger, more capital-intensive infrastructure upgrades that require more substantial funding,” Orr said.
The application is scheduled for review at the Wednesday, Nov. 20, meeting of the Transportation Commission.
