Final EIS for the Long Bridge, here: http://longbridgeproject.com/feisrod/  https://twitter.com/VirginiaDRPT/status/1301596121018531841

"In addition to rail congestion relief, the Long Bridge project will create a new, independent pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing of the Potomac River between the Mount Vernon Trail, Crystal City, and the monumental core of the District of Columbia."

!!!
The new ped/bike bridge is to be included *with* the Long Bridge reconstruction, not as a potential future add-on item!

DRPT/FRA estimate Long Bridge redevelopment at $1.9 billion with a 5-year construction timeframe (same as the Draft EIS https://ggwash.org/view/74789/virginia-plans-to-expand-long-bridge-crossing)

For those interested, tune in to @NoVaTransit tonight which (I'm sure) will have more info on the Long Bridge FEIS with a briefing from DRPT Director Mitchell.

ft. #wmata brownstripe https://twitter.com/USDOTFRA/status/1301626665991372802

" #wmata is just embarking on some major budget discussions" -K Cristol

NOVA transit ridership.

~66% of transit trips are work related.

And now we have a ton of people working from home (temporary? permanent? who knows!)

Commuter Choice funding has been all over the place to date, in part due to Covid-19

"We are probably going to have very little of a state-wide capital fund this year," says DRPT director Mitchell. She says money will likely need to be diverted to filling gaps in the budget created elsewhere by Covid-19

Letourneau: Long Bridge capital funds?

Mitchel: still planning to move forward with Long Bridge on existing schedule; still evaluating covid impacts; expected they'd issue debt on I-66 tolls in FY21/22, may need to push that back a year or two. Revenues needed for construction

Mitchell: if we don't get the budget amendment passed, DRPT won't be able to meet its #wmata funding commitments this year

This applies to some of the remainder of FY21 funding, but could also be valid for FY22 as well. https://twitter.com/srepetsk/status/1301654429586853894

No Paul Wiedefeld at tonight's NVTC meeting. He should be here in October, per K Cristol.

Filler-Corn: special session began Aug 18, trying to address "most pressing challenges."

"once Virginians are back in their cars, we will see the fruits of this tremendous labor...of the improvements this bill provides" (hmm what if...not cars?)

Filler-Corn: doing everything we can to aid businesses, individuals, those impacted by Covid. Legislation to provide relief, etc. Working towards passing an updated budget. VA House has moved to virtual too.

Krizek: 2 budget language amendments, "no news is good news," no concern seen with either amendment relating to language/NVTC
(I'm not sure which two amendments these are)

2 amendments
* language to allow for joint NVTC-PRTC meetings virtually
* giving DRPT funding flexibility to reallocate funding between state-wide transit capital funding program and the Transit Ridership Incentive program, use those funds to meet WMATA/transit funding reqs

NVTC could see a $25mil loss if the second amendment (included in the gov's budget) doesn't end up passing https://twitter.com/srepetsk/status/1301666195205222402

Mattice: Congress is in recess, Senate took no transit action, Nothing's moving on the federal level.

Letourneau, WMATA update
* August saw bus/rail reentry plan begin
* Increased bus service not that much more than pandemic levels b/c most of costs are ppl costs (&WMATA hasn't fired/furloughed yet)
* Letourneau & Smedberg have visited the ROCC

"The board is taking that [the ROCC] very seriously"

Budget:
* CARES act funding will run out before end of CY20
* Without fed $, WMATA likely face cuts
* Jurisdictions can't provide more $; their own issues
* Will need to reduce service & costs; Sept 10 Board discussion

Letourneau: without additional fed $$, "there will be no way to avoid significant pain"

Letourneay says WMATA seeing "softening" on Metrobus ridership - going theory is that job losses are resulting in some people not needing to take commute trips.

Turner: how does budget impact SV II?

Letourneau: construction is continuing (MWAA project), but unknown what impact it might have on SV II opening date (possible cost cut?)

Sept 10: more info on concrete panels upcoming. OIG report being "finalized"

Letourneau says we "hope" the feds step in and save transit with additional funding before WMATA would need to make irreversible changes.

(I'm not holding my breath)

NVTC 3% cap working group to recommend no changes to 3% cap; it's new but seems to be working, no new exclusions, but recommend some additional guidance

It really would be the epitome of American transit, if the Silver Line Phase II couldn't open when expected because we have no funds to operate it. https://twitter.com/srepetsk/status/1301670744083124226

Impact of % of people teleworking on freeway, collector, and arterial VMT

de Ferranti: at what point does it make sense to shut down a transit system (temp) if ridership stays low?

Mattice: a big challenge is recruiting skilled transit workers. Lots of factors in play. "You cannot quickly restore that"

Letourneau wants fare collection on bus back

Palchik: Is there concerted messaging push from transit to tell riders that it's safe to return and ride? Earlier messaging said to stay home except if necessary

Mattice: regional PIOs to launch some marketing, originally aimed at post-OR/SV shutdown, shifting to cleanliness msg

Snyder: still hearing employers/building managers saying workers can't enter if they've taken transit. Need to work w/them & private sector to update messaging.