In addition to the Work Elements previously outlined in this UPWP for PPACG staff, other transportation planning and transportation-related air quality planning activities will be conducted by various transportation planning and implementation agencies. The IIJA requires that the UPWP include a description of all metropolitan transportation planning and transportation-related air quality planning activities anticipated within the next one- to two-year period, regardless of funding source or agencies conducting the activities. The following information summarizes the efforts that were submitted to PPACG for inclusion in this document. These efforts are not funding using CPG; fund sources for the specific projects are listed as they were available. Note: Project descriptions are provided by the respective government entity staff.
5.1 Colorado Department of Transportation:
US 24 Reliever Route Study
Cost: $600,000 ($500,000 CDOT, $100,000 local match from Woodland Park)
Purpose: To determine if a US 24 Reliever Route around Woodland Park in Teller County is economically viable and feasible. The study would look at economic impacts to Woodland Park and the surrounding area from realigning US 24 from downtown Woodland Park to an around town alignment. Evaluate US 24 alternatives and identify if these alignments are feasibly based on constructability, environmental impacts, right-of-way impacts, and other criteria. Engage stakeholders and evaluate support for the proposed project.
5.2 El Paso County:
Major Transportation Corridor Plan
Cost: $400,000
Purpose: This is a long-range plan focused on providing an effective and efficient multi-modal transportation system in unincorporated El Paso County that prioritizes transportation infrastructure to meet future needs.
South Powers Multimodal Corridor Study
Cost: $500,000
Purpose: Working with affected jurisdictions, plan for the next phase of corridor planning for South Powers Boulevard Corridor Study – Mesa Ridge Parkway to I-25. Increasing population growth and development are driving a need to conduct a corridor study that builds on the year 2000 Feasibility Study that selected a preferred alignment. The goals are to produce a corridor plan, determine a more precise alignment, plan for access and right of way (ROW) needs for vehicles, transit and multimodal transportation needs and phasing options. This holistic approach will identify critical Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bike/pedestrian connections and crossings for safer travel, will consider transit opportunities for Bustang, Mountain Metro Transit, Fountain transit and/or paratransit services along with park and ride locations if needed. This corridor study is the next planning phase that was identified in the feasibility study to determine the appropriate corridor plan and alignment for the extension of South Powers Boulevard from Mesa Ridge Parkway Boulevard to a connection with I-25. This strategic planning effort will continue the vision started in the In the mid-1960s when local, county, regional and state planners recognized the need for secondary loop around the I-25 corridor to provide for multimodal connectivity, alternative route for closures, military access and to prepare for the tremendous growth in the coming decades.
5.3 Mountain Metropolitan Transit:
Long Range Transit Planning Activities
Cost: $200,000 (per year)
Grant: #5307, STP-Metro, FASTER, other
Purpose: Update required and necessary long-term regional transportation plan and various long-range financial, human services, operations facilities capacity and capital acquisition planning for the system. Participate in statewide transit planning efforts and coordinate with PPACG to communicate interests of the Pikes Peak Region. Future project list includes Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), Alternative Transit Mode plan (on demand type), and ADA Paratransit planning activities.
Short Range Transit Planning Activities
Cost: $350,000 (per year)
Grant: #5307, other
Purpose: Conduct required transit planning activities such as route optimization, feasibility studies, business plan, data collection, fare study, on-board survey, fiscal planning, capital, and service planning to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transit services in the region. Current project list includes Compliance safety/security: a System Security Plan (SSP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Emergency Response Plan (ERP), Rider survey, DBE. Future project list includes Fare Study, Business Plan, Rider Survey, Title VI and DBE Program Updates, another Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor study, Phase II work on Academy Boulevard, National Transit Database (NTD) Survey, Facilities Utilization Plan
Academy Boulevard High Capacity Transit Corridor Improvement Study
Cost: $350,000
Grant: #5307, #5304, other
Purpose: Additional planning, preliminary engineering and design, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes for enhanced transit service in the Academy Boulevard corridor. This project will evaluate existing conditions and help identify transit needs along the corridor, determine the appropriate transit technology alternative, suggest the level of service to improve ridership in the corridor, and develop recommendations for near-, mid-, and long-term implementation of the proposed transit improvements. Includes BRT.
2050 Regional Transit Plan
Cost: $200,000
Grant: #5307, #5304, other
Purpose: Update the current 2045 Transit Plan with the new planning horizon – 2050. The plan will review the current transit environment in the Colorado Springs region, engage stakeholders, assess needs, review funding opportunities, develop recommendations, and identify a list of potential projects to incorporate into the Pikes Peak Region’s 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. Plan development scheduled to take one year. Efforts begin in FFY2023 and will continue through FFY2024. Includes a Zero Emission Vehicle Plan.
ADA Paratransit Planning Activities
Cost: $125,000
Grant: #5307, other
Purpose: Conduct various short term and long term paratransit planning activities and required activities such as community human services planning, operation analysis, and updating ADA accessibility standards related to transit services.
NTD Randomized Survey Data Collection and Analysis
Cost: $40,000
Grant: #5307, other
Purpose: Federally required for transit agencies. Transit agencies must sample or collect 100 percent counts of passenger miles traveled (PMT) in a mandatory year. MMT uses Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs) for collecting unlinked passenger trips (UPT) and PMT data for bus mode, either through sampling or a 100 percent count of data. The APCs must be calibrated and validated by each transit agency periodically in order to be used for NTD reporting. The use of APCs for NTD reporting requires prior FTA approval. This project will allow MMT to obtain the approval.
Title VI and DBE Program Updates, Rider Survey 2025
Cost: $200,000
Grant: #5307, other
Purpose: As a federal requirement, the City of Colorado Springs, Transit Services Division must maintain an updated Title VI Program to demonstrate how we are complying with Title VI requirements every three years.
5.4 Woodland Park:
Woodland Park Pavement Management Plan
Cost: $70,000
Purpose: Complete a pavement condition survey and road needs analysis to understand the condition of the City’s road network and determine maintenance and rehabilitation recommendations to maximize use of available funding.