Governor McDonnell Announces Important Milestone to Advance Interstate 66 Improvements

English: The state seal of Virginia.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tier 1 EIS approved by Feds; Commonwealth Transportation Board to select one or more concepts next month

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the first step in making major improvements to one of the most congested corridors in the Commonwealth has been approved. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a record of decision on the 25-mile Tier 1 environmental impact statement (EIS) study of Interstate 66 from the Capital Beltway to Haymarket, clearing the way for the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to select one or more of the final ten concepts for detailed analysis.

“Today’s approval of the I-66 Tier 1 EIS gives us the green light to move forward with finding the best short and long-term solutions,” said Governor McDonnell. “I-66 drivers sit in frustrating stop-and-go traffic on a daily basis with unpredictable travel times and few alternate options.  Getting I-66 moving again has been one of our top priorities, and I am pleased that we have reached this milestone.”

Earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) identified 10 concepts to increase capacity within the corridor, as well as options to increase travel mode choices, improve individual interchanges, address spot safety needs, and enhance travel efficiency.

Concepts include adding general purpose lanes, constructing managed lanes (similar to the 495 Express Lanes and the future 95 Express Lanes), extending Metrorail and/or VRE, constructing light rail and/or bus rapid transit, improving chokepoints, intermodal connectivity, and safety and  intelligent transportation system enhancements.

“Advancing I-66 improvements is critical to the quality of life for commuters,” said Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton.  “The Commonwealth is working aggressively to provide better travel options in a heavily congested area so commuters can save time and cost.”

The CTB will select one or more of the concepts for study and VDOT will begin the Tier 2 analysis this spring and will complete it within two years.

“Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with local governments and communities to ensure an open and transparent process,” said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley.

“I-66 improvements are critical to providing a better transportation facility for all commuters and travelers,” said DPRT Director Thelma Drake.  “The Commonwealth will continue to explore a wide range of options, including rail improvements.”

Public meetings were held in June 2011, and January and February of 2012. VDOT and DRPT hosted public hearings on Tier 1 Draft in March 2013.

More information on the study is available in the link below:http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/northernvirginia/i66_eis.asp. 

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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on I-264 Downtown Tunnel Project in Portsmouth

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today issued the following statement in response to concerns from the City of Portsmouth regarding the Elizabeth River Tunnels Project weekend tunnel closures and its impact to the local business community:

“I directed the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board and Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) to work with the City of Portsmouth to develop the most balanced solution for the work that needs to be done on the I-264 Westbound Tunnel in Portsmouth.  As a result of collaboration by all partners involved, the Commonwealth and ERC listened to the concerns of Portsmouth and developed an alternate plan to ease the impact of tunnel closures on local businesses.  Moving forward, there will be no full weekend tunnel closures, so businesses and the community will be able to use the tunnel during the daytime and early evening hours through the weekends and weekdays.  The westbound tunnel will be closed for work during the nights only.  This is a viable solution reached by the state, Portsmouth and the private sector.  Rehabilitation of the existing Downtown and Midtown tunnels is part of the Elizabeth River Tunnels Project to improve safety and extend the life of these facilities. This work must be done to improve safety and mobility in the Hampton Roads region.  As construction continues, the project team will continue to work with the community and motorists to maximize safety and create the least impacts as possible.  When the project is finished, motorists and citizens will have a greatly improved transportation facility.”

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Governor McDonnell Invites Public to Provide Input on Future Road, Rail, Transit Projects

 Governor of Virginia  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Public meetings take place Oct. 22 to Nov. 21

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today invited Virginia residents to attend the public meetings to be held across the state this fall so they can learn more about transportation projects funded in the current Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) and to provide comments for transportation improvements in the upcoming SYIP for fiscal years 2015-2020.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approves a SYIP for road, rail, and transit projects each June.

Speaking about the public meetings, Governor McDonnell said, “For the first time in 27 years, transportation in Virginia received a major boost, thanks to bipartisan cooperation in the General Assembly that allowed passage of legislation to provide much-needed, long-term sustainable funding for roads, bridges, and transit. Now I am looking to Virginians to provide their input on potential projects that will improve transportation.”

The meetings begin Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the state’s nine transportation districts. See list below for dates and locations.

CTB Chairman and Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton added, “The new transportation investment will support better roads and stimulate job and economic growth as well.  The state’s transportation program is $17.6 billion for the next six years, including $15.7 billion for highway, rail and public transportation projects in the current SYIP and $1.9 billion in new funding sources for Northern Virginia.  Much of the funding is going toward rehabilitating aging highways and bridges, improving safety and operations as well as increasing capacity to reduce congestion.  Already, VDOT has advertised more than $2 billion in projects during this year alone.” 

“The new transportation funding will help each motorist in Virginia reach their destination quicker and more safely,” said Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Commissioner Greg Whirley. “I am asking for your ideas, suggestions and input on how we can improve roads and bridges. You can do this by meeting with your regional transportation representatives during these fall planning meetings.”

“Due to the historic transportation funding bill signed into law this year,  the Commonwealth continues to provide for and grow its regional intercity passenger rail service and provide  for more public transportation choices, while reducing the amount of single-occupancy vehicles and maximizing the existing transportation infrastructure,” said Thelma Drake, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Projects include interstate, road, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation initiatives. They emphasize bridge and pavement projects along with those to improve safety and reduce congestion throughout the transportation network. All SYIP projects eligible for federal funding will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate its federal money.

Representatives from the CTB, VDOT, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and planning district commissions (PDCs) will be at the meetings to discuss their respective projects and programs.

If you cannot attend, information about the meeting will be available Oct. 22 at www.virginiadot.org/2013fallmeetings.  Send comments on rail, public transportation, and transportation demand-management projects to: Public Information Officer, DRPT, 600 East Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, Va., 23219 orDRPTPR@drpt.Virginia.gov.  Send comments on highway projects to: Programming Director, VDOT, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, Va., 23219 or SixYearProgram@VDOT.Virginia.gov.  Comments will be accepted until Dec. 6, 2013.

Meeting schedule at each location*:

·         6 p.m.-7 p.m. – Open house displays and general discussion

·         7 p.m. – Moderated public meeting

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

VDOT Northern Virginia District Office

4975 Alliance Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

723 Woodlake Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Northside High School

6758 Northside High School Road

Roanoke, VA 24019

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

VDOT Central Office Auditorium

1221 East Broad Street

Richmond, VA 23219

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

University of Mary Washington

Stafford Campus – University Hall (North Building)

125 University Boulevard

Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Holiday Inn Staunton

Conference Center

152 Fairway Lane

Staunton, VA 24401

Monday, November 18, 2013

Germanna Community College

Daniel Technology Center

18121 Technology Drive

Culpeper, VA 22701

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Holiday Inn and Suites

Bristol Convention Center

3005 Linden Drive

Bristol, VA 24202

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center

2900 Candler’s Mountain Road

Lynchburg, VA 24502

* You can find the localities that make up each district atwww.virginiadot.org or by calling 800-367-7623.

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Governor McDonnell Announces $168 Million in Transportation Projects Approved for Construction

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I-66 and other projects approved by CTB

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) awarded $168 million worth of transportation projects during its meeting held earlier today.   Construction will soon begin on projects to replace bridges and widen and improve roads in several areas of the state. 

“The Commonwealth is advancing critically needed transportation projects that will ease congestion and improve safety,” said Governor McDonnell.  “Projects awarded today range from I-66 improvements in Northern Virginia to a bridge replacement on Route 340/522 in Warren County. These and numerous other projects will move traffic and commerce more efficiently, while also supporting jobs and benefiting the economy statewide.”

CTB Chairman and Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton added, “The board is investing transportation dollars to rehabilitate Virginia’s aging highways and bridges and increase capacity for traffic so you can get to your destination quicker.”

Below is a summary of the projects awarded by the CTB this month.

Northern Virginia

Improvements to I-66 in Fairfax and Arlington counties - This $23 million project, awarded to The Lane Construction Corporation, will improve safety and operations on the I-66 corridor in southern Fairfax and Arlington counties.  The project will convert the existing westbound shoulder into an auxiliary lane between the on-ramp from Washington Boulevard and the off ramp to the Dulles Airport Access Road.   Expected project completion is summer 2015.

New truck climbing lane on Route 7 in Loudoun County - The $28 million project, awarded to Shirley Contracting Company, LLC, consists of constructing a westbound truck climbing lane on Route 7 between the West Market Street and Route 9 interchanges, new roundabouts and ramp improvements at the Route 7/Route 9 interchange.  The project is being built to improve safety and operations for trucks climbing the steep grade.  Expected project completion is fall 2015.

Southeastern Virginia

Lynnhaven Parkway widening in Virginia Beach - The $19 million project, awarded to American Infrastructure Virginia, Inc., will improve traffic flow by building an additional lane in each direction of Lynnhaven Parkway and create a connection between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. This will be done by bridging a canal located between Centerville Turnpike and Indian River Road. This project is located in Virginia Beach. After construction, Lynnhaven Parkway will be a continuous four-lane divided roadway. Expected project completion is fall 2016.

Bridge replacement on Route 35 over the Nottoway River in Southhampton County - The $9 million project, awarded to Waterfront Marine Construction Inc., will replace an aging bridge on Route 35 over the Nottoway River with a new two lane bridge. The bridge is located in Southhampton County. Expected project completion is fall 2015.

Central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley

Bridge replacement on Route 340/522 over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Warren County - The $48 million project, awarded to G.A. & F.C. Wagman, Inc., addresses the severe traffic congestion in the bridge corridor and consists of replacing the bridge structure on Route 340/522 over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Norfolk and Southern Railroad in Warren County. Additionally, the project will reconfigure the intersection of Route 340/522 and Route 55. Expected project completion is winter 2017.

Route 3 widening in Culpeper County - This $24 million project, awarded to Branch Highways Inc., will widen Route 3 from a two lane undivided highway to a four lane divided highway in Culpeper County. This is the final section of the Route 3 Corridor to be widened to four lanes. Expected project completion is spring 2017.

Pavement overlay on I-85 in Mecklenburg and Brunswick Counties – The $17 million project, awarded to Branscome Inc., will restore existing pavement on I-85 northbound and southbound in Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties. Expected project completion is summer 2016.

Information about CTB meetings is available at:http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/meetings.asp.

Appointed by the governor, the 17-member Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) establishes the administrative policies for Virginia's transportation system. The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes and provides funding for airports, seaports and public transportation. The Board meets monthly. For specific meeting, times and locations, go to the meeting schedule. 

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Virginia Receives $57.3 Million in ‘Bonus’ Funding to Accelerate Transportation Projects

English: A Volvo articulated bus in contract service for Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, operated by Virginia Overland Transportation, an urban-suburban bus line, in 2003 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Additional funding originally allocated to other states will go toward transportation projects in Virginia

RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has received an additional $57.3 million in federal funds for transportation originally allocated to other states.

            The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will use this additional funding for paving projects in each of its nine construction districts: $16.7 million will go toward interstate paving, $25.6 million is designated for paving primary roads and $13.7 million is allocated for paving secondary roads. Additionally, $1.3 million is slated for bridge painting/preventative maintenance. Later this month, VDOT will make its recommendation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which has final approval on how money is spent on transportation projects.

            “This has been a historic year for transportation funding in Virginia,” said Governor McDonnell. “This 'bonus’ funding, along with the new and sustainable funding from the transportation bill, will enhance VDOT’s ability to move projects forward and continue to improve the condition of our roads. Virginia’s transportation system is vital to both economic opportunity and to the quality of life of every Virginian.  These strategic investments will mean shorter commutes, new roads and more jobs across the Commonwealth.”

            Each September, the FHWA reviews every state’s ability to commit allocated highway dollars as the federal fiscal year ends. States that cannot obligate federal funding must return that spending authority to the FHWA. The funds are then redistributed to states that can obligate all of their federal allocations and have additional eligible projects ready to move forward.

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Governor Bob McDonnell Announces Contract for U.S. Route 460 Phase II Project in Buchanan County

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Design-build contract will use coal synergy to reduce project costs by 50%

BUCHANAN COUNTY— On-site of the U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase I construction project in Buchanan County, Governor Bob McDonnell announced today a contract has been signed to begin the second phase of U.S. Route 460 construction.

            The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in coordination with the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships, recently signed a contract with Bizzack Construction, LLC, Lexington, Ky. to design and build the 6.2-mile section to rough grade.  Bizzack Construction, LLC, also serves as the design-build contractor for Phase I.

            “Creating new access through better transportation will fuel economic development and tourism opportunities never available with the current network of roads,” Governor Bob McDonnell said.  “The Route 460 Connector and the Coalfields Expressway are key connections that will open southwestern Virginia to more job and business opportunities.”

            Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton added, “By executing a design-build contract, the Commonwealth is able to deliver this project at a much reduced cost.  This contract brings Virginia one step closer to creating an improved highway network and connectivity between Route 460 in Virginia and Kentucky, which are federally-designated as Corridor Q, and the Coalfields Expressway. ”

            Bizzack recently acquired Rapoca Energy, succeeding Rapoca Energy in the partnership with VDOT to build the Route 460 Connector Phase II to rough grade.  VDOT entered negotiations with Bizzack in 2012, and in June the Commonwealth Transportation Board authorized VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley to award and execute a $108 million design-build contract to construct the road bed to rough grade. 

            U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase II will be a 6.2-mile limited access four-lane highway, connecting to Kentucky’s newly constructed Route 460.  The connector in Virginia is broken into two sections, the first already under construction at the Kentucky line near Breaks Interstate Park. 

            The west end of the U.S. Route 460 Connector in Virginia will connect to a proposed interchange for the Coalfields Expressway. 

            The design-build contract will use the coal synergy concept to provide a rough grade road bed at a reduction of over 50% in costs.

            The estimated cost of the design-build contract – taking into consideration the savings from coal synergy - is approximately $108 million.

            Coal synergy reduces road building costs substantially by using the coal companies’ larger-scale earth moving equipment and construction techniques common to the coal industry to prepare the road bed to rough grade, and allowing the companies to recover marketable coal reserves during the road bed preparation. 

            In August 2009, VDOT awarded the $113 million design-build contract for the construction of the .8-mile section of Phase I of the connector, which includes the construction of twin high-level bridges that will be the tallest in Virginia when completed. 

            The bridges will be over 250-feet-high and 1,700 linear feet in length.  They will span Route 610 (Conaway Road) and Grassy Creek.  The .8-mile Phase I project begins at the Kentucky state line, meeting up with the improvements Kentucky is making to Route 460. 

            An access ramp to Route 80, improving access to Breaks Interstate Park, is part of the U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase I.  Secondary connections to Routes 609 and 693 from Route 80 are also being constructed.