CTB approves six-year roads plan

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved $11.4 billion in allocations for transportation improvement projects over the next six years beginning July 1.

The Six-Year Improvement Program distributes funding for highway, road and bridge projects as well as rail, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation improvements across the state.

“The six-year program advances projects that will relieve congestion in the most heavily traveled areas of the state and improve numerous roads and bridges throughout Virginia,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell. “The program also supports a better multi-modal system, moving more people with fewer cars.”

The six-year program is $800 million more than last year’s program, with most of the increase coming from public- and private-sector contributions for the I-95 Express Lanes construction, scheduled to begin this year in Northern Virginia.

Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton added, “As a result of the governor’s commitment to transportation, the CTB is moving ahead with critical projects that not only improve transportation but also are good for the economy and stimulate jobs.”

Each year the six-year program is updated to reflect the latest projected revenues and transportation priorities. Several public meetings were held last fall and this spring to gather citizen input, which is reflected in the program. Allocations are based on the following priorities:

·       Complete projects under construction

·       Complete preliminary engineering or right of way phases of other projects

·       Maximize federal funding

·       Address safety issues by funding deficient bridges and pavement

·       Support transportation projects procured under the Public-Private Transportation Act and the Governor’s ongoing transportation priorities

Six-year program funding breakdown:

·       Roads, highways, bridges, debt service – $9 billion

·       Rail, transit and other improvements – $2.4 billion

·       Total – $11.4 billion

FY 2013 budgets

The CTB also approved FY 2013 annual budgets for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF),  the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). The CTF budget identifies the estimated revenues and the distribution of the revenues related to the transportation agencies.

FY 2013 budget totals:

·       Commonwealth Transportation Fund (VDOT, DRPT, Airports and Ports) – $4.7 billion

·       VDOT (construction, maintenance, administration, debt service and other costs) – $4.2 billion

·       DRPT (public transportation and commuter assistance programs, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, administration and other costs) – $509 million

The final SYIP and budgets are available for review on the VDOT (www.VirginiaDOT.org) and DRPT websites (www.drpt.virginia.gov).