Your RTC. Our Community.

January 2018

RTC Commissioners, Below you will find your
January 2018 RTC Board Update eNews.

This electronic newsletter is distributed
monthly following your Board meeting.

The RTC thanks Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler for her service, and welcomes Commissioner Vaughn Hartung to the RTC Board.

RTC Welcomes Commissioner Vaughn Hartung

Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung has been appointed to serve on the RTC Board of Commissioners. He succeeds Washoe County Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler who has served on the board for the past two years. We welcome Commissioner Hartung, who also served on the board in 2015.

The RTC staff extends their thanks and appreciation to Commissioner Berkbigler for her service during her tenure on the RTC Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Hartung joins RTC Chair Ron Smith (Sparks), RTC Vice Chair Bob Lucey (Washoe County), Commissioner Paul McKenzie (Reno) and Commissioner Neoma Jardon (Reno) on the RTC Board.

Learn More About the RTC Board

January 2018: Crews began working on the project's first Bus RAPID Transit (BRT) station. The station will showcase photos from Nevada's history (artist rendering).

4th Street/Prater Way
Bus RAPID Transit Project Update

The 4th Street/Prater Way Bus RAPID Transit Project crews continue to transition from the Sparks side of the project to the Reno side.

Dry underground utility work, including electrical and telecommunications equipment relocation, is complete within the 18th Street to 22nd Street segment of the project and crews are removing utilities from the poles. Utility companies have also been running wire and fiber-optic cable within the newly installed conduit in preparation for the eventual removal of overhead utility lines. One of the last large parts of relocating and upgrading Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) water lines was completed this month, too.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Sparks side of the project in preparation for spring paving, including curb and gutter work. Landscape walls have been installed progressing west from 18th Street.

The RTC has set up three live traffic cameras throughout the project. Currently, the cameras look east at El Rancho Drive, west at Galletti Way, and east at 4th Street and Sage Street Check them out on the project website.

In January, crews also started construction on the Bus RAPID Transit (BRT) station near 15th Street. The design features photos from Nevada's history embedded within the glass panels to highlight this historic route, which will be called the LINCOLN LINE.

The RTC appreciates everyone's patience throughout the construction process. Businesses are open and accessible during construction and the RTC encourages everyone to patronize businesses located in construction zones.

For more information, text 4PRATER to 797979 or visit 4thPrater.com to sign up for email notifications.

Learn More at 4thPrater.com

WATCH: Huffaker Bridge Completion Timelapse

SouthEast Connector Update

Crews closed part of Mira Loma Drive in January to complete utility work on the SouthEast Connector/Mira Loma Drive intersection. All traffic was detoured to Pembroke Drive. This closure was scheduled during Washoe County School District's winter break to minimize the impact on daily commutes. Mira Loma Drive reopened on Monday, January 15.

Work on the roadway embankment in Segment 1 continues near South Butler Ranch. The intersection with South Meadows Parkway is complete and the excavation of large areas for flood mitigation is nearing completion.

Near North Butler Ranch in Segment 2 of the project, work on the Huffaker Bridge and the Mira Loma Bridge continues, as well as work on the roadway embankment.

We would also like to remind the public not to trespass on the SouthEast Connector project site during construction. Moving equipment, uneven surfaces and construction materials all pose a safety hazard to anyone who enters the 360-acre project site.

As crews get closer to completing the SouthEast Connector, we know people are excited to use the new road and multi-use path, but we’re asking for the public’s patience so we can safely complete the last phase of the construction process

All project-site entrances are clearly marked and monitored by security cameras 24-hours a day. If theft or vandalism occurs at the project site, a trespasser’s camera-captured image could be associated with that theft or vandalism.

Anyone entering the project site for work, a delivery or other business must check in with project staff at the onsite office. Due to construction-safety regulations, everyone on the job site must wear the required safety equipment.

The SouthEast Connector is anticipated to be complete by early summer of 2018, weather permitting.

Learn More at SouthEastConnector.com

Bike Share Update

The RTC presented information about bike share systems to each jurisdiction in December and January.

The Reno City Council, the Sparks City Council and the Washoe County Commission, have all indicated support for the development of a regional dockless bike share pilot program. The City of Reno is taking the lead in drafting an interlocal agreement and franchise agreement for a regional bike share pilot project with a dockless system, in partnership with the City of Sparks and Washoe County.

While there are concerns about protecting ADA accessibility in the public right-of-way and preventing parked bikes from obstructing the path of travel, as well as creating "bike clutter," these issues would be addressed through the permit or franchise agreement requirements to be jointly established by Reno, Sparks and Washoe County.

A bike share program could bring numerous benefits to our community. It provides another mobility choice for residents and visitors, and offers health, economic, tourism, and environmental benefits.

Learn More at rtcwashoe.com

WATCH: There is no text, tweet or call that's worth a life.

RTC Continues Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Efforts

The RTC, in partnership with local agencies, continues to lead the implementation of safety outreach campaigns to address safety on our roads.

These campaigns are aimed at creating awareness of the infrastructure the RTC implements to improve safety on our local roadways and increase the awareness of the risks of distracted driving and ambulatory occurrences. These campaigns were initiated in summer 2014 and spring 2015, respectively. These campaigns have been recurring in 2016 and 2017.

Additionally, in 2016 and 2017, the safety messaging to promote the New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick's Day free transit services were adapted to strengthen the awareness of the dangers of driving and walking impaired and to encourage the public to use transit to promote the safety of everyone on our roadways.

In summer 2017, pedestrian safety decals were installed on sidewalks throughout the Reno/Sparks area at intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic, neighborhoods and school zones. In fall 2017, the RTC established a task force comprised of local and state agency staff to address pedestrian safety issues and overall approach to traffic safety. The Vision Zero Task Force is gathering data and developing messaging to implement a regional traffic safety awareness campaign this year.

WATCH:
Safety is our priority.

RTC Adds Options for ACCESS Riders

Ride Right is pleased to introduce Big Star Transit to the RTC ACCESS service. Now, RTC ACCESS transportation may be provided by an RTC ACCESS van, a taxi or a Big Star Transit vehicle. Each Big Star vehicle will be operated by a courteous, friendly, trained and uniformed driver who will be wearing a name badge. Each Big Star vehicle will be displayed with an easily identifiable 6 inch by 6 inch Big Star logo in the upper left corners of both the front and rear windshields.

RTC ACCESS customers who have a smart phone can now utilize mobile ticketing through Token Transit. With the Token Transit app, ACCESS riders can purchase single tickets on their smartphones and board the vehicle by showing the operator the ticket on their phone instead of a paper pass. Users simply download the free Token Transit app on their Apple or Android phone, and link it to a credit or debit card. For more information visit: https://tokentransit.com/app.

RTC ACCESS customers are now able to purchase single-trip tickets for $3.00. These tickets are available for purchase by mail, through ticket vending machines at Fourth Street Station and Centennial Plaza, at various ticket outlets and online at www.rtcwashoe.com.

RTC Transit Service Change Outreach

The RTC is welcoming community input as we begin to develop a service change to RTC transit services later this year.

The RTC analyzes its transit operations annually to maximize resources and efficiency to provide quality customer service to our riders. This involves tracking ridership data and allocating buses and other resources to more productive routes for efficiency, and operating within financial constraints. Several changes are being considered so that we may provide reliable and quality transit service. This may include timing adjustments and route modifications. The RTC will also present proposed changes to RTC ACCESS.

The RTC is inviting our community to join us at one of our upcoming open houses. We're holding open houses starting on February 20 at a number of locations throughout our community. We want to hear from everyone as we work toward finalizing a plan that may be implemented in September. Proposed changes to RTC transit services will be presented to the RTC Board at a future board meeting for their direction and approval.

Open House and Presentation Events:

Open house events: February 20, 21, 22 at one of four locations including RTC CENTENNIAL PLAZA STATION, RTC 4TH STREET STATION, Meadowood Mall and Stead.
Washoe County/Sun Valley Citizens Advisory Board (CAB): February 5 at 6 p.m.
Washoe County Senior Citizen Center: February 12 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Reno Access Advisory Committee: February 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Senior Coalition, March 2 at 8 a.m. at 10315 Professional Circle in Reno
Sparks CAC at the Larry D Johnson Community Center: March 8 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Sierra Nevada Transportation Coalition: March 14 at noon at RTC 3rd Floor Conference Room, 1105 Terminal Way in Reno
City of Reno Ward 4 Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB): March 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Reno/Stead Airport
AARP Reno: March 28

Learn More at rtcwashoe.com

Federal Funding Available for Transportation Alternatives

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is asking local entities to apply for a portion of the $390,000 in Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program funding available to our community through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding is available to groups or entities for projects that improve non-motorized mobility, historic preservation, scenic accessibility, Safe Routes to School programs and environmental management in Washoe County.

The RTC administers the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program for the RTC Metropolitan Planning Area of Washoe County, and is asking eligible local entities to apply for funding on or before the February 20, 2018, deadline for the following two fiscal years, 2019 and 2020. Eligible agencies may submit one application per funding year.

Agencies eligible to receive the funding include local governments, transit agencies, natural resources or public land agencies, school districts, and tribal governments or non-profit entities responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs, as identified in the federal guidelines.

The Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program funding guidance was approved by the RTC Board on July 15, 2016.

Applicants will be asked to complete an application and provide a detailed cost estimate. For more information about how to submit an application, visit https://www.rtcwashoe.com/mpo-reports/transportation-alternatives-ta-set-aside-program-call-projects/.

The RTC’s allocation is separate from federal transportation funds currently available for non-motorized and other transportation improvements through the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Information on NDOT’s program is available on their website.

Thousands RIDE FREE on New Year's Eve

The RTC celebrated 33 years of helping people celebrate responsibly with the New Year’s Eve FREE Safe RIDE program. This year, the RTC provided 6,781 FREE Safe RIDES between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. This is nearly double the number of rides provided the last time New Year's Eve fell on a Sunday, 11 years ago.

We couldn't offer this service without the support of our generous sponsors, including Renown Health, Club Cal Neva, Wood Rodgers, Lamar Advertising, Morrey Distributing, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitor's Authority (RSCVA), REMSA, Reno Firefighters Local 731, KOLO 8 News Now, and Cumulus Radio, including News Talk 780 KOH, 95.5 The Vibe, Wild 102.9, and K-Bull 98.1.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

February 7

RTC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

February 7

RTC Citizens Multimodal Advisory Committee (CMAC)

February 16

RTC Board Meeting (9 a.m. at 1001 E. Ninth St., Bldg. A, in Reno)

February 19

RTC Administrative Offices Closed in Observance of President's Day
RTC Transit on Regular Schedule

February and March

RTC Transit Service Change Outreach Events

Please contact Michael Moreno or me with any questions you may have.
Michael can be reached at (775) 335-1869 or email at mmoreno@rtcwashoe.com.
Archived editions are available at: rtcwashoe.com.

Lee G. Gibson, AICP, Executive Director
Ph: (775) 348-0400 Fax: (775) 324-3503
E-mail: lgibson@rtcwashoe.com