The agreement will enable CapMetro to use developer fees paid to the city for traffic mitigation improvements.
How we got here
According to agenda documents, the agreement will permit the construction and improvement of multiple stops, stations and MetroBike stations within the CapMetro network to mitigate traffic impacts caused by identified development projects.
Prior to the passage of the Street Impact Fee ordinance in 2020, developers were required to mitigate the impact of their projects to traffic volumes, and many paid fees to the city in lieu of making the necessary improvements.
“During that time there was no mechanism identified for CapMetro to get those investments back, so if we constructed those improvements we didn’t have a way of getting those dollars back,” said Nadia Barrera-Ramirez, manager of CapMetro’s cross-agency transit and mobility programs.
What to expect
According to Barrera-Ramirez, the projects within the agreement are specific to the site plan and transportation impact analysis that was completed, and most are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Some of the projects identified include:
- Bus stop improvements: relocate stops to protected or signalized crossing; consolidate stops or construct new stops to meet spacing standard; add benches or shelters to existing stops
- New MetroBike stations
- CapMetro rail station improvements: new stations; improved connections
