CRYSTAL CITY STREETCAR

THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRANSIT

OCTOBER 2 COMMUNITY FORUM

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Please join us for our second community forum for a progress update on the Crystal City Streetcar Projects environmental assessment. The assessment studies the environmental effects and develops conceptual engineering plans for a streetcar line connecting Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard. Arlington County representatives will provide an update on the assessment, present relevant findings, and answer questions from the community. We welcome your thoughts and concerns. Wednesday, October 2 6 - 8 p.m. Formal presentation at 7 p.m. Aurora Hills Community Center 735 15th Street S. Arlington, VA 22202 How to get there Free parking is available on-site. For Metrorail, please take the Blue or Yellow line to Pentagon City and exit to west side of Hayes Street. After getting off the escalator continue straight ahead along Hayes Street. Cross 15th Street and continue along Hayes. (Make sure you are walking AWAY from the Pentagon.) Pass the parking lot for Virginia Highlands Park and turn right on the sidewalk. This will lead you to the Community Center, which will be on your left a little ways up. For Metrobus, use route 10A. Get off at 15th Street & Hayes Street and walk south on Hayes Street, or get off at Eads Street & 18th Street and walk west on 18th Street. There is a Capital Bikeshare station at 18th & Hayes Streets. The facility is accessible. Please contact 571-482-9734 or info@crystalcitystreetcar.com by September 27 if you require language interpretation assistance. Por favor, llame al 571-482-9734 o info@crystalcitystreetcar.com para el 27 de septiembre si necesita asistencia de un interprete.

Assessment Identifies Need for Route Refinement

he purpose of the Environmental Assessment is to examine the effects the proposed streetcar will have on the community by identifying possible environmental impacts and related solutions. The Crystal City Sector Plan identified a proposed streetcar route that served as the starting point for this assessment. Examination of the Sector Plan route identified potential impacts that could be addressed by modifying a portion of the route. The Crystal City Sector Plan showed the southbound streetcar tracks along the west side of Clark Bell Street between 12th and 18th Streets. The Refined Alignment locates the southbound streetcar tracks immediately adjacent to the east side of Jefferson Davis Highway between 12th and 18th Streets, yet at grade (level with) with Clark Bell. The remainder of the streetcar route is identical to the Sector Plan. The proposed route modification reduces community impacts while effectively supporting the urban design and growth policies contained in the Sector Plan. The streetcar route modification is only slightly different than the original alignment, but contains adjustments that will provide solutions for: Underground Spaces The Sector Plan alignment passed over a number of underground spaces that would have required structural reinforcement like those at the Crystal City Shops causing

potential disruption of use. The alternative alignment minimizes those impacts by shifting the southbound tracks to the west, adjacent to Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. Route 1). Station Operations The Sector Plan shows anticipated major residential and commercial growth in Crystal City, which will require new transportation modes that all must work in concert to move people efficiently through the area. Specifically, the plan identified the need for a multi-modal station for buses, Metro and the streetcar. In its original alignment, the intersection of 18th Street and Clark-Bell was identified as a potential pinch point on the streetcar route. The alternative alignment minimizes conflicts with existing bus operations, provides convenient access to Metro and meets the requirements of the proposed multi-modal transfer facility. Low Building Clearance Growth will bring changes to buildings along the U.S. Route 1 corridor, and the Environmental Assessment must consider environmental issues as they relate to both existing structures and predicted development. In assessing existing structures along the original route alignment, it was determined that clearance beneath a building on Bell Street will not be adequate for streetcar passage. The updated alignment now eliminates that issue.

Crystal City Sector Plan Proposed Route

Proposed Route Modifications

Project Timeline

Preliminary Environmental Findings

As part of the Environmental Assessment, a number of environmental concerns have been identified and are being investigated. Many of these concerns were received at public meetings and through comment forms and email: Noise Studies in other cities have found that the noise from streetcar operations is generally compatible with an urban environment. Areas that are particularly sensitive and/or near sharp curves in the track may require additional study. A detailed noise analysis will be included in the Environmental Assessment. Traffic In general, streetcars operate just like other vehicles on the road and are controlled by the same traffic signals. As the detailed operational plan is developed, conditions requiring special traffic control will be identified, analyzed and incorporated into the streetcar design. The Project Team is currently preparing a detailed traffic simulation of the entire streetcar route, which will be documented in the Environmental Assessment. Visual Aesthetics The streetcar will be powered by a wire running over the tracks. The visual impact of the overhead power wire as well as the wires support system will be evaluated in the Environmental Assessment. Wireless streetcar technologies are not considered to be consistently reliable at this time and are not being considered as a power option. Safety Safe streetcar operations are paramount in the design process. The streetcar design needs to provide for safe interactions with vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. The Sector Plan provides a plan for adequate sidewalks and continuous bike routes, which will be maintained through the streetcar design. In addition, all streetcar facilities will be designed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Community Character The Sector Plan anticipates that there will be 8,500 additional residents and 35,500 additional jobs in Crystal City and Pentagon City by 2040. The proposed streetcar system will encourage highquality, mixed use development, and help the community mature into a vibrant, attractive, livable 24/7 neighborhood. Cultural Resources Cultural resources include both standing historic structures and archaeological sites. There are no cultural resources in the project area that will be effected by the Crystal City streetcar. Natural Resources The project is located in an urbanized environment with few natural features. Careful review of the project area and consultation with state and federal agencies indicate no project impacts to wetlands, waterways, water quality, floodplains, ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife habitats or rare threatened or endangered species.

Project Schedule
2013
Sep Baseline Conditions Assess Environmental Effects Prepare Draft EA Notice of Availability Public Comment Period Public Meeting Prepare Final EA Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

2014
Mar Apr May Jun

We want to hear from you!

Heres how you can reach us:
info@crystalcitystreetcar.com 571-482-9734 Crystal City Streetcar Project P.O. Box 18023, Washington, DC 20036 www.CrystalCityStreetcar.com