WILLIAMSPORT AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
October 10, 2014 Technical Committee Public Meeting: Lycoming County Executive Plaza, 330 Pine Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
(Attendance Sheet is Attached)
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mullins called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
MINUTES
June 30, 2014 Technical Committee Public Meeting
Mr. Hartmotioned for approval of the meeting minutes which was seconded by Mr. Grado and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
ACTION ITEMS
FFY 2013 TIP AMENDMENTS / ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
Mr. King distributed a spreadsheet showing 34 administrative actions that have been made to the FFY 2013 TIP. As none of these actions constitute a formal admendment, this handout was presented for informational purposes only and no action was taken by the Technical Committee. Reference was also made to an item in the meeting packet regarding the 2015 Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety Program which will be managed now as a State-wide Program as per the adopted MOU for the PA 2015 Transportation Program Financial Guidance. Three projects are listed for Lycoming County consisting of the Schoolhouse Rd Grade Crossing Improvement, Brick Church Road Crossing Closure and Mill Streeet Grade Crossing Improvement. Again, no formal action was needed or taken by the Technical Committee. Mr. Murawski referenced the FHWA / FTA 2015-2018 STIP approval letter and thanked all those involved in helping achieve our TIP approval as part of the overall STIP.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
MPMS IQ
Chairman Mullins informed the Committee that Mr. Matthew Long (PennDOT) will provide an overview and demonstration of the capabilities of the Multimodal Project Management System, (MPMS) IQ at the next Coordinating Committee public meeting. MPMS IQ is a web based system which provides up to date information about TIP funded projects. This new tool will revolutionize how the planning partners, other public officials and the general public can retrieve transportation information about the status of specific projects anywhere in PA. The system will be very user friendly and the presentation should be informative.
US 15 Median Barrier Project Update
Mr. King said the final phase of work consisting of jug handle and barrier installation near the PennDOT Stockpile is proceeding very well and should be completed sometime in November.
US 220 Access Management Study Update
Mr. King and Mr. Cunningham reported that the next public meeting on this study is scheduled for November 18, 2014 at the Woodward Fire Hall. This should be the final public meeting to close-out the study process, however it is anticipated that additional public meetings will occur during the project design process. A business impact meeting along the corridor will also be held in December to secure input from various businesses prior to study completion. The plan has been revised several times based on public and business community input and the latest changes will be outlined at the public and business community outreach meetings. Given the significant cost of the improvements, it is likely project phasing will occur depending upon funding availability. The plan will basically restrict left turns and cross-over traffic from side roads connecting with US 220 and a series of jug handles and U turns with acceleration and deceleration lanes will be incorporated. Traffic signalization or lowering of speed limits will not be undertaken. Mr. Murawski added that sustained speed enforcement will be an important component of the overall strategy to improve safety along with the access controls.
US 220/ PA 405 Congestion Relief Study
Mr. King and Mr. Cunningham noted that this study is also nearing completion and much public input has been incorporated. A final public meeting regarding the study will be held likely in January timeframe to present a preferred alternative. Four main alternatives have been studied and alternative 3 has been ruled out since it does not adequately meet study objectives, has substantial environmental and community impacts and has little public support in relation to the other alternatives under study.
Airport Terminal Building Replacement Project Update
Mr. Hart indicated that the airport authority has been working diligently on the overall funding and required environmental studies. About 2/3rd of the funding is committed to cover the $ 15.2 million cost from a variety of federal, state and local sources. The Authority is now focused on obtaining release of state transportation capital budget funds that are authorized by the legislature however require release by the PennDOT Bureau of Aviation. The Authority is providing documentation soon to FAA in an attempt to obtain a Categorical Exclusion Environmental Clearance in order to then gain permission to initiate project design. The schedule for design and construction is dependent on the FAA environmental clearance date and completion of the overall funding package.
Trade and Transit Centre II
Mr. Kilpatrick indicated that the project funding is nearly complete and RVT hopes to bid the project for construction in January or February 2015 with a spring construction start and fall completion date. This project will provide additional transit amenities and capabilities along with community space, streetscape connections with the Destination 2014 arena site at Hepburn and Third Streets. The construction schedule will be very aggressive and all attempts will be made to minimize community disruption.
Susquehanna Greenway Projects Update
Mr. Murawski showed a video produced by the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership showcasing regional trail projects that include Lycoming County. Mr. Murawski indicated a trail summit with PA, NY and MD officials as part of the PA Wilds organization will be held in November at the Williamsport Genetti Hotel. An overall three state trail system linking Rochester NY with the Chesapeake Bay in MD will be discussed.
Lycoming County Transportation Website Enhancements
Mr. Murawski provided a brief presentation of the new enhancements on the county website related to transportation, including the WATS Long Range Plan, TIP, Public Involvement Process and LRTP video documentary series. The video series will also be demonstrated at the PA Planning Partners Conference in State College later this month as an innovative public involvement technique for development of MPO/RPO Long Range Plans.
2015 Meeting Dates
Mr. Murawski outlined the 2015 WATS Technical Committee Quarterly Public Meeting Dates.
OTHER BUSINESS / PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no further business or public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Mullins declared the meeting adjourned at 11:45 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Murawski, WATS Secretary