VDOT’s goal is to increase TOC interoperability and efficiency, as well as emphasize a performance driven approach for TOC operations.

In coordination with the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships, VDOT released a Request For Information (RFI) on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, seeking information and suggestions from the private sector to assist in the development of a formal procurement initiative.

VDOT expects a single respondent will be selected to operate all five TOCs and the agency will transition to a single Advanced Transportation Management Systems (ATMS) platform. The RFI informs potential private sector respondents of this opportunity and solicits private sector interest and innovation in the delivery of the project.

VDOT will conduct a webinar on Monday, February 6, 2012, at 2 p.m. eastern standard time to entertain questions from the private sector and provide clarifications on any portion of the RFI. RFI responses are due no later than Friday, February 17, 2012, at 5 p.m. eastern standard time.

For more information on the RFI, visit www.eva.virginia.gov, click on Solicitations and Awards and keyword search 106-FH-12, or contact Frederick G. Haasch at 804-786-2764 or frederick.haasch@vdot.viginia.gov.

Contracts include repaving, bridge repairs and replacements, intersection and safety improvements and road widenings among several other transportation projects across the state.

“I tasked VDOT to push projects out the door and accelerate project delivery to get Virginia moving and out of gridlock,” McDonnell said. “VDOT and the construction industry moved aggressively to maximize their financial and labor resources, resulting in significant progress to make Virginia’s roads and bridges safer and better to travel on, in addition to creating jobs and stimulating the economy.”

The governor’s transportation package, passed by the legislature last year, invests $4 billion over three years. Since the funding went into effect, VDOT has completed 111 projects, another 625 projects are in preliminary engineering, right of way or construction phases and an additional 290 projects are in the pipeline for construction.

“Improvements are evident as you drive across the state,” said Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. “Many of Virginia’s deteriorating roads and bridges are being rehabilitated, and several existing roads are being enhanced and widened to provide more travel capacity. The $2 billion in contracts not only produces a better transportation system, it also provides jobs and a better way of life for Virginians.”

“VDOT has the business discipline to plan the work and work the plan to advance critical projects to construction while at the same time have projects in the pipeline ready to go,” said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley.

VDOT also moved ahead on major infrastructure projects that will be financed in partnership with the private sector through Virginia’s Public Private Transportation Act. A public investment of $486 million will bring in about $2.3 billion worth of transportation improvements, including:

· Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/Martin Luther King Extension in Hampton Roads region

· Coalfields Expressway (Doe Branch/Pound Connector) in southwestern Virginia

· Route 58 (Meadows of Dan and Laurel Fork and Tri-County and Laurel Fork), also in southwestern Virginia

VDOT reached a major milestone with the I-95 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes project in Northern Virginia and expects to reach a comprehensive agreement in 2012. A public investment of $97 million will generate nearly $1 billion worth of improvements to help reduce congestion. Work continues to advance Route 460, a new 55 mile highway between Petersburg and Suffolk and the Route 29 Bypass in Charlottesville.

The design-build procurement method streamlines project delivery by placing responsibility for the design and construction of a project on a single entity. The design-build team constructs the project while design is still under way, greatly reducing the overall time necessary for completion of the project.

The design-build procurement method enables VDOT to award contracts quicker, thereby expediting the construction process. Design-build contracts, ultimately, result in faster delivery of projects and cost savings to the commonwealth.

“We are dedicated to maximizing every dollar of the transportation funding package and other federal funds to create jobs and develop projects that continue to improve Virginia’s transportation infrastructure,” said Governor McDonnell. “For too long, Virginians have endured traffic snarls and transportation delays. By using design-build to speed our nearly $4 billion transportation investment to construction, Virginians will be able to experience transportation relief faster and we will create transportation industry jobs during this difficult economy.”

The following design-build projects have been or will be released before December 2011:

·         Route 29 Western Bypass: This project is in the Culpeper District and will build a new 6.2-mile, four-lane, limited-access roadway stretching from Route 29 just north of the South Fork Rivanna River to the Route 29/250 Bypass. The project includes interchanges at both termini to move traffic between Route 29 north and Route 29/250 west of Charlottesville. This project was advertised on Sept. 27, 2011, and has an estimated value of $244.5 million.

·         Interstate 581/Valley View Interchange Phase II: This project is in the Salem District and includes the design and construction and overall project management at the interchange of Valley View Boulevard and Interstate 581 in the city of Roanoke. This project was advertised on Oct. 11, 2011, and has an estimated value of $63.9 million.

·         Interstate 66 Active Traffic Management: This project is in the Northern Virginia District and is designed to improve traffic operations along a 32-mile segment of I-66 from the District of Columbia and Virginia border in Arlington to U.S. 29 (Lee Highway) in Gainesville. This project was advertised on Oct. 25, 2011, and has an estimated value of $33.8 million.

·         Interstate 64 Exit 91 Interchange Improvements: The project is in the Staunton District and is located at the Interstate 64 Exit 91 interchange with Route 285 (Tinkling Spring Road) in Augusta County and includes interstates and bridge improvements. This project was advertised on Nov. 3, 2011, and has an estimated value of $43.7 million.

·         Interstate 64 Zion Crossroads Interchange Improvement: This project is in the Culpeper District and will improve the I-64 interchange on Route 15 at Zion Crossroads (Exit 136) in Louisa County. The project intends to increase the capacity of the I-64 off-ramps at the Route 15 interchange, improving safety and relieving congestion. This project is scheduled to be advertised in Dec. 2011, and has an estimated value of $8.8 million.

VDOT is working to release the following design-build projects in 2012:

·         Interstate 66 Widening to Route 15: This project is in the Northern Virginia District and is valued at $78.1 million.

·         Interstate 64 Widening and Improvements to Route 623 Interchange: This project is in the Richmond District and is valued at $35.8 million.

·         Interstate 395 HOV Ramp at Seminary Road: This project is in the Northern Virginia District and is valued at $80 million.

·         Virginia Capital Trail Charles City County and New Market Heights Trail: This project is in the Richmond District and is valued at $11.9 million.

·         Route 5 Virginia Capital Trail Varina Phase: This project is in the Richmond District and is valued at $9.5 million.

For more information on design-build projects, visit

http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/business/design-build.asp

The new contract also calls for Iteris to establish sponsorships for VDOT assets associated with 511 Virginia, including 511 road signs, traffic video feeds and website. Over the term of the five-year contract this sponsorship is projected to generate approximately $10 million in revenue, which is expected to offset the cost of operating the 511 Virginia system to Virginia taxpayers.

“To improve our transportation infrastructure and provide real-time traffic information, we must continue to explore non-traditional funding sources,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell.  “The 511 Virginia system includes valuable assets that offer opportunities for private-sector sponsorship, and we intend to take full advantage of that to offset operating costs of about $2.1 million annually.”

The new system will be implemented during the next six months and will include a number of new features and enhancements to the current system in place since 2008:

·       Improved voice recognition software to enable better communications using the latest technology

·       Easy-to-use menu with more functionality to enable quicker access to desired traffic information

·       New features that use email alerts to deliver personalized, real-time traffic information on roads of interest

·       Mobile solutions to include apps for iPhone, and Droid

·       Enhanced, more robust 511 Virginia website

“These enhancements will improve the user experience whether visiting the 511 Virginia website or by responsibly using the 511 phone service,” McDonnell said. “The traffic information provided by 511 Virginia is real-time, accurate and perhaps best of all, free. It’s one more tool available to help drivers learn the latest road conditions on their specific route and make adjustments to best avoid congestion.”

Since its inception in 2002, 511 Virginia has received more than 11 million calls and 8 million website visits.

The 511 Virginia service typically receives 200,000 calls each month. The system can be accessed by calling 511 from any land line or cell phone in Virginia or visiting

www.511Virginia.org.

The Western Bypass project will build a new 6.2-mile, four-lane, limited-access roadway stretching from Route 29 just north of the South Fork Rivanna River to the Route 29/250 Bypass. The project includes interchanges at both termini to move traffic between Route 29 north and Route 29/250 west of Charlottesville.

Under the terms of the RFP the successful bidder will be responsible for final design and construction of the road.

Traffic using the Bypass will avoid 13 traffic signals along the Route 29 corridor north of Charlottesville. The new road will also provide an alternate route for motorists heading to the University of Virginia’s Grounds via Leonard Sandridge Road, which will be connected to the Bypass by an interchange at its southern terminus.

“The issuance of the Request for Proposals for construction of the Western Bypass project is an important step in advancing this project,” said Commissioner of Highways Gregory A. Whirley. “The Western Bypass will improve efficiency and safety along the Route 29 corridor and will also provide an alternate route for regional traffic.”

Proposals for the Western Bypass project are due at 4 p.m. EST, April 17, 2012. Information about the RFP can be found at:

www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp.

According to Dr. Alton Dooley, associate curator of paleontology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, this was one of the largest earthquakes in Virginia’s recorded history, although seismic events in the area are not uncommon.

According to Dooley, the epicenter of this earthquake occurred in the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, an area active in seismic activity.

“The Central Virginia Seismic Zone is located throughout Virginia’s Piedmont region,” Dooley said.  “Most of the faults were originally formed either during continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains around 300 million years ago, or during the rifting that formed the Atlantic Ocean starting around 220 million years ago. While those events are in the distant past, the faults formed during those events are still present and rocks still occasionally move along those faults, causing earthquakes.”

At 5.8 in magnitude, today’s earthquake was one of the largest in Virginia’s recorded history, with the previously largest earthquake in Virginia’s history taking place in 1897 in Giles County and also measuring 5.8 in magnitude.

“This earthquake was more than 10 times stronger than the 2003 earthquake that was felt by many residents of Martinsville, Virginia,” Dooley said.  “But even though this was a large earthquake for Virginia, it was small compared to earthquakes that occur in more seismically active zones. For example, the recent earthquake of the coast of Japan that caused extensive damage and a tsunami was more than 1000 times more powerful than today’s earthquake.”

The Virginia Museum of Natural History has a variety of educational programs for all ages that highlight Virginia’s diverse natural history, including geological studies.

“Today’s earthquake in Virginia presents a unique educational opportunity,” said Christy Deatherage, VMNH museum education coordinator.  “As the natural history museum for the entire Commonwealth, the museum is a valuable resource for individuals throughout Virginia and beyond to learn about this and other natural events.”

VDOT assessing potential damage

The Virginia Department of Transportation today dispatched inspection teams to bridges and tunnels across the state soon after the 5.9 magnitude earthquake to assess any potential damage. Currently, no damage has been confirmed to bridges, tunnels or roads. Inspections are expected to continue for 24 hours.

All four tunnels in the Hampton Roads area (Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, Downtown Tunnel and Midtown Tunnel), as well as Virginia’s two mountain tunnels on Interstate 77 have been inspected with no sign of damage.

VDOT’s Culpeper and Fredericksburg Districts did report some minor damage to buildings.

VDOT’s bridges are designed in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) standards, including earthquake loads for this region of the country. The agency conducts between 11,000 and 12,000 bridge inspection each year. VDOT has more than 100 staff dedicated to bridge inspections.

Citizens can come in during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Mr. Michael Fulcher, Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029. Oral comments can be recorded at the meeting with the assistance of a court reporter

The project is located on Route 727 (Airport Road) between Route 11 and Route 696, near Mount Crawford and Bridgewater in Rockingham County.

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing bridge over North River and realign Route 727 (Airport Road). The existing bridge, built in 1961, is a single lane, two-span truss structure. The bridge is 15-feet wide and 211-feet long. The eastern approach intersects with Route 11. The paved roadway leading up to the western side of the bridge is approximately 18-feet wide. Approaching the bridge from the west, there are three substandard curves.

The existing bridge will be replaced with a new, two-lane structure in approximately the same location. The proposed bridge will be 40-feet wide and 235-feet long featuring two, 12-foot travel lanes. Of the eight-foot wide shoulders, four-feet will be paved. The road will have a 50-mile-per-hour design speed. This will be achieved by removing three of the substandard curves and realigning Route 727. The hill on the road will have 30 mile-per-hour design speed.

The road currently carries 1,592 vehicles per day. This number is projected to increase to 2,172 vehicles per day by 2035.

The total estimated cost for this project is $ 4,334,857 which includes $458,759 for preliminary engineering, $310,942 for right of way and $3,565,156 for construction. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2013.

“Allocation of construction funding for the Charlottesville Western Bypass is a major milestone that will move this project forward and help to ensure the viability of the Route 29 transportation corridor into the future,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a statement. “The project will also provide major benefits for Charlottesville and Albemarle County by reducing congestion along the Route 29 corridor north of Charlottesville and providing an alternate route that will more efficiently move regional traffic, including commercial freight, to its destination.”

The Western Bypass project will build a new 6.2-mile, four-lane, limited-access roadway stretching from Route 29 just north of the South Fork Rivanna River to the Route 29/250 Bypass. The project includes interchanges at both termini to move traffic between Route 29 north and Route 29/250 west of Charlottesville.

Traffic using the bypass will avoid 14 traffic signals along the Route 29 corridor north of Charlottesville. The new road will also provide an alternate route for motorists heading to the University of Virginia’s Grounds via Leonard Sandridge Road, which will be connected to the Bypass by an interchange at its southern terminus.

The second project funded by the CTB’s amendment will add an additional lane in each direction on Route 29 between the current eight-lane section that ends at Polo Grounds Road and the six-lane section at Hollymead. That construction will also improve the alignment and sight distances on the northbound lanes south of Ashwood Boulevard.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will begin updating the bypass project’s engineering and survey documents and complete the design of the northern interchange at Route 29. VDOT will also continue the design work already under way to widen Route 29 north of the South Fork Rivanna River.

The ramp from northbound Interstate 81 at exit 221 to eastbound Interstate 64 at exit 87 will be closed on Thursday, July 21 at 7 p.m. until Friday, July 22 at 7 a.m. The I-64 eastbound exit ramp onto Route 608 at exit 91 will be closed on Friday, July 22 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, July 23 at 9 a.m.

Paving operations will also take place on I-64 eastbound from exit 87 to exit 96 in the Lyndhurst area Monday thru Saturday. This work will begin on the night of Monday, July 18 and last until the morning of Friday, July 22 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily and then on Friday night from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 23.

Motorists should be alert for single lane closures. All work is weather permitting. Motorists should expect travel delays in this area.

“We believe Secretary Connaughton has taken an overly aggressive stance on long-controversial transportation projects, and in doing so, is making major spending decisions without adequate analysis, public input or careful prioritization setting,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.

This spring, Secretary Connaughton led the push to designate a part of the controversial “outer beltway” in Northern Virginia as a “Corridor of Statewide Significance.” Now the Secretary is leading the push for the controversial “Charlottesville Western Bypass,” lobbying the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to reverse their long-held opposition to the bypass — an action they took without any public notice.

The Secretary now proposes to divert approximately $230 million in funding to the Charlottesville area project. This takes place just one month after the Commonwealth Transportation Board voted on the Six-Year Transportation Plan — a plan that did not include the project. “The Secretary’s proposal is being advanced without the public input that took place in the development of the Six-Year Plan, and despite the many flaws in the bypass proposal,” said Schwartz.

The funding may be coming from the nearly $1.5 billion Public Private Transportation Act fund, despite other more critical PPTA projects which have not yet been fully funded.

“We don’t see any prioritization process with the PPTA fund. How will the PPTA funds be allocated given the priority needs for I-95 and the Downtown and Mid-Town tunnels in Hampton Roads?” Schwartz continued.

Between I-95, the two tunnel projects, and other proposed projects like Route 460 and the Coalfields Expressway, the $1.5 billion PPTA fund would already be overcommitted. Therefore, the $230 million diversion of funds will likely come from the expense of these projects. Even if the funds are coming sources other than the PPTA fund — it would have to mean cuts to other non-PPTA projects in Virginia.

The push to revive the controversial “Charlottesville Western Bypass” comes despite ample evidence – primarily from VDOT sources — that less costly approaches would more effectively address transportation problems in the Route 29 corridor. The area has been advancing a more direct set of solutions to the Route 29 Corridor. Moreover the bypass would potentially lead to pollution of area drinking water supplies and is being advanced without updated traffic analysis, public input or transparency.

“We urge the Secretary to do a full accounting of his proposed allocations for the $1.5 billion PPTA fund and the impact of the $230 million shift in funds to the ‘Charlottesville Western Bypass.’ For these significant decisions, we urge more deliberate analysis, real consideration of less costly and more effective alternatives, explanation of the priorities being set, and greater transparency and commitment to fair process and public input,” said Schwartz. “We have risked future state and federal transportation funds by borrowing to the extent we have, so we must ensure these funds are spent wisely.”