october 2, 2013 public meeting – q&a

8/13/2019 October 2, 2013 Public Meeting Q&A

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Crystal City Streetcar Community Forum:

Update on Environmental Assessment Questions and Answers

Oct. 2, 2013

Q1: Why did Arlington County use 50 feet as the range for the noise analysis?

A: 50 feet is a reference point. As we do more in-depth analysis, we will consider other

ranges and adjust accordingly.

Q2: Why are existing conditions, such as railroad noise and horns, incorporated into the

Environmental Assessment document?

A: Noise that could be produced by the project is compared to noise that already exists to

determine if the project creates a noise impact.

Q3: Is the bicycle lane on Crystal Drive only going north, not south?

A: The northbound bicycle lane will be on Clark Street and Bell Street, and southbound

will remain on Crystal Drive.

Q4: Arlington County is taking into consideration the noise level in an office setting,

however, the proposed streetcar alignment is near dense residential areas. Are there

plans to consider that?

A: We are studying how the streetcar noise and vibration affects sensitive areas. We will

specifically look at where residential properties are located and study the noise and

vibration effects, and the findings will be documented in the Environmental Assessment.

Q5: Were storm surges taken into account when the streetcar was designed?

A: We take into account potential rises in water during a storm surge. Many areas

adjacent to the Potomac River could be affected; however, the location of the streetcar

project is not affected by the 100-year flood plain.

Q6: There are a lot of commuter buses parking in Crystal City. Has that been considered

in the design for the streetcar?

A: Commuter bus parking is being addressed under a separate program.


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Q7: Where the streetcar would operate in a shared lane of traffic, can Arlington County

identify where and what accommodations are being made for safety?

A: A traffic simulation will be used to identify how the streetcar and vehicle traffic will

work together. Streetcars will operate at the same speed as vehicle traffic and will be

controlled by traffic signals, similar to a bus.

Q8: The streetcar stations would serve mostly Crystal City, not the neighborhoods

beyond. Why does the streetcar not follow Route 1 all the way up?

A: The proposed streetcar route traverses the core office area of Crystal City in addition

to the higher density residential and commercial areas of Potomac Yard, Crystal City, and

Pentagon City.

Q9: Has there been a debate about the type of streetcars proposed? For example,

considering an alternative to an electric car, other sources of fuel, wheel types, etc.

A: We examined other vehicle technologies, but the type that we are proposing steel

wheels and rail with overhead electric power is the most reliable technology and aligns

with the project goals. Alternative vehicle types are not as well established, or they are

more expensive.

Q10: Aside from the streetcar project, there is a major safety and visibility concern on

the corner of 12thStreet and Crystal Drive. Additionally, when cars are parked on 12th

Street, it poses a major concern for pedestrians crossing the street.

A: The current visibility issue needs to be addressed independently.

Q11: When will Crystal Drive be converted into a two-way street?

A: Crystal Drive was converted to two-way operation between 26thStreet South and 12th

Street South in September 2013. Conversion of the remainder of Crystal Drive is being

planned.

Q12: Once the Environmental Assessment phase is complete, has funding been provided

for the next step?


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A: The Countys current approvedCapital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes a mix of state

and local funds for the Crystal City streetcar project . During the next few months,

Arlington will reevaluate the budget needed to build and operate the project. The new

estimates will be included in the next CIP, which the County Board will adopt in June/July

2014.

Q13: What is the timeline for this project as compared to the Columbia Pike streetcar

project?

A: They are tracking closely together. An updated schedule for both projects will be

included in the Countys next CIP.

Q14: Can you explain more about the maintenance facilities?A: Arlington County is planning for the Crystal City streetcar to share a vehicle

maintenance facility with the Columbia Pike project. An additional facility located in

Crystal City would be for vehicle storage only. Three locations for a storage facility were

evaluated in detail, and the study recommends a location north of the Airport Viaduct and

west of the CSX Railroad.

Q15: What are the environmental effects of the no build alternative?

A: The elements for the no build alternative include transportation projects expected to

be in place by the time the Crystal City streetcar is constructed. The environmental effects

of the project are compared with the effects of not doing the project.

Q16: Are improvements to 18thStreet included as part of this study?

A: Those improvements are part of the ongoing Crystal City streets program and are not

part of this study.

Q17: Will the Crystal City and Columbia Pike streetcars operate as one line once they are

both complete? When both streetcar lines are complete, will they operate based on the

same fares?


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A: The current assumption is that streetcar service would be continuous from Skyline to

Four Mile Run without a transfer. The fares for both streetcars will likely be the same with

the same transfer policy as the local bus system.

Q18: How will low noise vehicles such as streetcars be made more noticeable for

pedestrians?

A: We will take that question into consideration.

Q19: Will the streetcar create an alternative route to getting to the airport? Will the

current route become more pedestrian-friendly?

A: A circulator-type system to access the airport was identified in the Crystal City Sector

Plan as a separate project from the streetcar. The streetcar project would maintain thecurrent pedestrian connections to the airport.

Q20: Concerns were expressed about the unattractiveRoute 1 serving as a barrier to

accessing Crystal City.

A: Pedestrian improvements to 18th Street, including sidewalk, lighting and bus stop

improvements, are in the works as a separate project. Elevated Clark Street is also

proposed to be removed, which should reduce pedestrian barriers at 15 thStreet and 18th

Street.

october 2, 2013 public meeting – q&a

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