Governor McAuliffe Statement on Final Approval of $1.9 Billion Federal Loan for Rail to Dulles

Washington Dulles Airport Train [Explored] (Photo credit: J Sonder)

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement following the final approval of a $1.9 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to support the completion of the Metrorail to Dulles project in Northern Virginia:

“The U.S. Department of Transportation’s approval of this TIFIA loan represents an enormous economic boost for Northern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth. This loan will contribute to the successful completion of Phase 2 of the Rail to Dulles project and help the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority meet its goal of keeping toll rates on the Dulles Toll Road steady for Virginia commuters.

“I was honored to work with the Department of Transportation and our bipartisan congressional delegation to bring this important financing to Virginia. The approval of this loan, the largest in U.S. history, is an enormous step toward fully completing this project so that we can begin realizing the benefits that Metrorail to Dulles will bring to Virginia’s commuters and our economy.”

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia More Than 70 Percent Complete

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recent milestones mark progress and local economic benefits

RICHMOND — Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that construction of the I-95 Express Lanes project is more than 70 percent complete, and remains on-schedule to be completed by the end of 2014 and open to traffic in early 2015.  The first of nine new bridges being built along the 95 Express Lanes corridor in Northern Virginia, located at Telegraph road near Marine Corps Base Quantico in Stafford County, recently opened to traffic. Steel framework on the remaining new bridges also is complete.

“The progress on the 95 Express Lanes project is a visible reminder of the congestion relief and new travel choices that Virginians will have available to them in less than a year,” commented McAuliffe.  “The project has also benefited jobs and business opportunities, particularly for women- and minority-owned businesses as well as small businesses.  Steel work was completed by a local disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE), Interlock Steelworkers, Inc., exemplifying the Commonwealth’s commitment to providing business opportunities that support jobs and generate economic growth.

To date, the project has infused more than $127 million into the local economy through DBE and small, women, and minority-owned businesses (SWaM).  With nearly $193 million committed to more than 131 DBE/SWaM firms so far, the Virginia Department of Transportation and its 95 Express Lanes partners, Transurban and Fluor, are slated to exceed their DBE/SWaM project goals of $189 million. 

During the remainder of 2014, crews will continue to build-out the new lanes, while installing and testing new overhead signs, tolling gantries and other traffic management equipment. Other critical work includes constructing new sound walls to provide noise reductions to qualifying adjacent communities; building storm water management ponds; and completing final work on barriers, guardrails, paving and roadways.

The 95 Express Lanes project is a 29-mile upgrade and expansion of the HOV facility on I-95/395.  For more information, visit www.VAMegaprojects.com or www.95ExpressLanes.com.

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Governor McAuliffe Statement on House and Senate Budget Proposals

Virginia General Assembly (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe issued the following statement on the budget proposals released by the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia today:

“I commend the budget writers in both houses of the General Assembly for their hard work and commitment to continuing the Virginia tradition of balanced and responsible budgeting. In both the House and the Senate budgets, there are many areas where we can find common ground to grow Virginia’s economy and strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.

“I applaud members of the House and the Senate for increasing Virginia’s commitment to higher education and for adopting my recommendation to include additional funds to help localities in Northern Virginia compete for the best school support staff.

“I also applaud both houses for providing additional funds in their budgets for mental health reform. We have seen the system fail too many times here in Virginia, and the commitment from both houses to address this issue is an encouraging sign that we can make meaningful reforms this year.

“However, the greatest opportunity we have to invest in mental health reform, cover more Virginia families and grow our economy lies in accepting federal funds to close the healthcare coverage gap here in Virginia. 

“I commend the Senate of Virginia for including in their budget a market-based path toward accepting this funding. That proposal will serve as a foundation for productive discussions about how best to cover more working families, create more jobs and save the state as much as $1 billion in the next eight years. 

“I am disappointed that the House budget fails to accept more than $2 billion per year in federal tax dollars that should be directed to Virginia families. Instead, the House uses $45 million in state tax dollars for an inadequate and inefficient stopgap measure to attempt to help our hospitals. It is fiscally irresponsible to ask Virginians to pay this cost twice. The House should join an overwhelming majority of Virginia business leaders, health providers and 27 other states that have decided to utilize federal resources to close the coverage gap. This is clearly a case of partisan ideology driving a bad business decision. 

“As the process moves forward, I plan to work with members of both chambers to ensure we have adequate investments in economic development incentives, life sciences and cybersecurity so that we can continue to grow industries that are central to our economic competitiveness.

“I look forward to working with members of both parties and both chambers to find common ground on these and many other issues that will benefit all Virginians and keep our economy strong.”

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State Agencies Respond to Ongoing Winter Storm

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virginians urged to stay home due to hazardous road conditions

RICHMOND, Va. – During the latest winter storm to affect the Commonwealth, the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, the Virginia Department of Transportation and other state agencies continue to assist Virginians by processing requests from local governments and matching them with the appropriate state agencies and utilities for response.

“This major winter storm has brought six to 18 inches of wet snow across Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Transportation and many other agencies and private sector partners are doing great work to continue to respond and make sure people are safe” said Governor McAuliffe. “We expect this storm to continue to bring a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain throughout the evening, and ask we Virginians to keep themselves safe and assist our storm responders by refraining from any unnecessary travel. Many of our roads remain difficult to pass as snow and ice continue to fall, and refraining from traveling helps speed up road clearing operations.”

While most roads are open, more than 950 are in moderate to severe condition, which means they are mostly or partially covered with snow and/or ice.  People should call 511 or go towww.511Virginia.org before traveling.

Throughout the state, there are 1,400 customers without power.  Most power outages are due to fallen tree limbs. 

Here’s a list of current state agency storm response efforts and how they are assisting Virginians:

·         Virginia Department of Transportation crews are conducting road clearing operations, and their goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a winter storm ends so that people can travel safely.  For example, a VDOT crew member and plow responded to the scene of a Spotsylvania County ambulance stuck in a ditch on Salem Station Boulevard in Spotsylvania County.  The ambulance was on its way to an emergency.  The VDOT plow cleared a path for the ambulance to drive on, while county fire and rescue personnel were able to tow the ambulance from the ditch. VDOT has deployed more than 12,300 pieces of equipment including trucks and plows.

·         More than 200 Virginia National Guard personnel are staged strategically across Virginia to support state and local emergency response.  An additional 50 soldiers, airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force are on duty to provide mission command, administrative and sustainment support for units in the field.  Virginia Guard is staged at readiness centers along the Interstate 81 corridor, in the central Virginia area along Route 29 and Interstates 64 and 95, and areas of Northern Virginia to be ready to support possible response missions. 

·         The Virginia State Police continue to respond to traffic crashes and disabled vehicles resulting from the storm and hazardous road conditions.  All available troopers have worked extended shifts throughout the night and Thursday to help people by responding, investigating and clearing crashes.  VSP has responded to at least 1,000 traffic crashes and more than 900 disabled vehicles across the Commonwealth since 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.  The majority of crashes involved damage to vehicles and no injuries to people. 

There are a number of potentially life-saving actions that people can take, including:

·         Charge your mobile devices so you can continue to hear information from official sources if the power goes out.

·         Have emergency supplies in your vehicle.  If you are stranded you will need water, food, blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries at a minimum. 

·         Have a battery powered and/or hand-crank radio and extra batteries for emergency information.  Listen to local weather forecasts and instructions from local officials.

·         Avoid overexertion while shoveling snow and cleaning up from the storm, no matter your age or physical condition.  Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.

·         If you need help for an elderly or disabled person during the storm, need information on warming shelters, or are concerned about an unsheltered individual or family, call 211 or visitwww.211virginia.org.  When you call 211, a trained professional will suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in your community and statewide.

·         Get winter weather preparedness information at www.ReadyVirginia.gov and download the new Ready Virginia app for iPhones and Android devices.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Posted Commuter Travel Times Starting in Hampton Roads

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hampton Roads-- Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that beginning on Friday, February 7^that 5:00am, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will display travel times on six existing overhead electronic message signs in Hampton Roads.

“Deploying travel time technology is a common sense way for the Commonwealth to serve Virginians better by offering them more information about traffic conditions and which routes offer the smoothest trip,” said Governor McAuliffe.

Similar messages are being used in the Northern Virginia and Richmond areas. These displays provide accurate, up to date travel time information for drivers and allow them to choose their routes according to the most current traffic conditions. Travel times also reduce trip-related anxiety and traffic congestion.

Travel times debuted in Hampton Roads in the summer of 2012 with the six Reach the Beach static signs along Interstates 64, 264, 664 and Route 168.

Travel times will be posted at the following locations:

• I-264 West, at Independence Boulevard, to display the travel time to I-564
• I-264 West, at Witchduck Road, to display the travel time to the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT)
• I-64 East, at the end of Willoughby Bridge, to display the travel time to I-264
• I-64 West at the I-264 Interchange, to display the travel time to HRBT
• I-64 West, past Greenbrier Parkway, to display the travel time to HRBT
• I-664 North, before Queen Street, to display the travel time to HRBT

The locations were chosen to introduce the new technology at key destination points. Current travel times will be displayed weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. VDOT will adjust the schedule based on the time of day the messages will be most useful to drivers. High priority messages, such as those regarding incidents, Amber Alerts and construction information, will continue to be displayed on the electronic message signs, and will temporarily override travel time messages.

VDOT acquires current statewide travel time data from INRIX, a leading provider of real-time traffic information. To view overhead electronic sign messages, traffic camera images or road conditions, visit VDOT’s 24-hour traffic and travel information website, www.511Virginia.org. Information is also available by calling 511 or following the Hampton Roads 511 feed on Twitter @VaDOTHR.

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Governor McDonnell Applauds Efforts to Aid Syrian Refugees

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Drive Collected Over 18,000 Blankets for Refugees During One Of The Worst Winters On Record; Governor Encourages Virginians to Help Those In Need This Holiday Season

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today applauded the efforts of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and its members, Paxton Van Lines, and Maersk to provide over 18,000 blankets to Syrian refugees in Turkey.  This initiative began following a recent NVRC cultural exchange trip to the region where local and state government officials from the Commonwealth toured a refugee camp near Adana, Turkey. 

Speaking about this initiative, Governor McDonnell said “The holiday season reminds all of us that it is incumbent that we help those in need in whatever ways we can.  Whether at home in the Commonwealth or some far away nation, the donation of a blanket, a meal, or a new toy can go a long way towards making the holidays a happier time for those in need.  The donation of these blankets could not have come at a better time, as Turkey is seeing one of its worst winters on record.  I applaud the efforts of all those involved in this initiative and encourage all Virginians to donate whatever amount of their time and resources they can over the holiday season to help make the holidays better for someone else.”

The blankets were collected over the past several weeks at faith-based locations and governmental offices throughout Northern Virginia.  The effort was spearheaded by Purcellville Mayor Bob Lazaro, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York, NVRC Executive Director Mark Gibb, Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, and the American Turkish Friendship Association. 

After collecting the blankets, Paxton Van Lines of Springfield transported the blankets to the Port of Virginia, where Maersk Line is providing several containers to ship the blankets to Turkey free of charge.  Maersk, whose U.S. headquarters is in Norfolk, will soon load the blankets on one of its vessels out of the Port of Virginia and ship the blankets to Algeciras, Turkey, before transshipping them to Mersin where a local aid group will distribute the blankets at the camp.  CMA CGM and other shipping companies have also offered their assistance with this initiative. 

“As winter bears down on Turkey, these blankets will go a long way towards helping the Syrian refugees,” said Purcellville Mayor Bob Lazaro.  “The tremendous generosity of those involved in this initiative will have a lasting impact on those in need, and I’d encourage everyone to donate what they can throughout the holiday season.”

To learn more about this and other initiatives, please visithttp://www.atfa.us/ or http://hizmetrelief.org/syrian-refugees/.   

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Governor McDonnell Announces Development of the Super NoVa Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Action Plan

Amsterdam Horse and Buggy (Photo credit: BRODICK)

RICHMOND – In 2011, Governor Bob McDonnell charged the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) with creating the Super NoVa Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Vision Plan. The goal of the Vision Plan was to recommend solutions to enhance transportation choices, improve connectivity between modes of public transportation and reduce congestion for anyone living or traveling through the Super NoVa region.

Today, Governor McDonnell announced that DRPT will work with stakeholders, policy makers, and local, regional and state agencies to develop the Super NoVa Transit and TDM Action Plan. The Action Plan builds on the framework already established in the Vision Plan.

“Commuters in Northern Virginia face significant challenges as they travel through the most congested region in the Commonwealth,” said Governor McDonnell. “The Action Plan is designed to achieve increased transportation options and provide a forum for policy makers to continue regional dialogue, ensuring long-term collaboration to advance the Vision Plan recommendations.”

“DRPT’s mission is to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. “This Action Plan will provide travelers throughout the Northern Virginia area a seamless journey to their destinations, greater connectivity within the region and more mobility options for residents and visitors alike.”

“In order to continue the positive regional collaboration, a Super NoVa Transit and TDM Regional Consortium convened for the purpose of providing leadership and continuing communication on transit and TDM policies, programs, and projects that will lead to reduced congestion in the Super NoVa Region,” said Thelma Drake, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Secretary Connaughton led the Super NoVa Regional Consortium kickoff meeting, as the Commonwealth continues to engage its partners in addressing the region’s current and future transportation challenges.

The Super NoVa area comprises Northern Virginia and the localities extending from Northern Virginia to Caroline County on the south, Culpeper County on the west and Frederick County to the northwest.  Travelers in the region will be able to look forward to more options, including: coordination of local bus services to interface with regional transit services; development of a system of hubs that connect people and places; increased commuter buses and additional carpool and vanpool opportunities.

The goal for completing the Action Plan is winter 2013.  Over the course of the next several months, DRPT and its partners will continue to work toward the development of the Action Plan through a series of Super NoVa Regional Consortium and stakeholder meetings.

Waiting-area/Lobby at BFL, with a full-scale replica of Space Ship One above and the Baggage Claim in the distance (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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