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On Wednesday, July 20th, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will be asked to sign-off on an expedited and controversial initiative of Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton. “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…
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Today Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton announced the publication of a new study titled Policy Options for Secondary Road Construction and Management in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The study, authored by Dr. Jonathan L. Gifford, a professor at the George Mason University School of Public Policy, discusses historical aspects of Virginia’s secondary roads policy,…
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The Valley Conservation Council announced the winners of its 2011 Better Models for Development Awards at a ceremony held on May 25 at Court Square Theater in Downtown Harrisonburg. This year’s 12 winners demonstrate a variety of approaches to building and development that enhance the character of Shenandoah Valley communities while minimizing impacts on resources….
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The Virginia Department of Transportation has repaired more than 108,000 potholes throughout the Commonwealth since the governor launched the 2011 pothole blitz campaign March 8. “Virginia’s transportation network is vital to our economic prosperity and connects people to their work, homes, families and friends,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “Although the milder winter we experienced this…
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Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law on Monday what backers are terming the most significant investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system in a generation. The legislation, HB2527 and SB1446, sponsored by Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford) and State Sens. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas) and William Wampler (R-Bristol), creates a framework to invest nearly $4 billion into Virginia’s…
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Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today a new cost-saving program designed to generate additional revenues to help defray the costs of operating the Commonwealth’s 42 safety rest areas and welcome centers. In July 2010, McDonnell directed the Virginia Department of Transportation to work in partnership with other state agencies to identify and implement long-term strategies to…
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Beginning March 25 motorists will encounter a paving work zone on Interstate 81 southbound between mile marker 217.66 and mile marker 214. This location is south of Staunton near exit 217 at Route 654 in the Mint Spring area and exit 213 at Route 11 in the Greenville area. Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District…
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The innovative construction methods the Virginia Department of Transportation is using to rebuild part of Interstate 81 in Augusta County will reduce construction time by two-thirds, save VDOT millions of dollars and recycle existing road material back into the new pavement. VDOT’s research facility, the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research in Charlottesville, has…
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A key part of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plan to get Virginia transportation moving would rededicate a portion of sales-tax revenues from the pot of money used to fund schools and public safety to roads projects in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. McDonnell said today that he will back legislation to move about $140 million a…
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As Spock in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country quoted “an ancient Vulcan proverb, only Nixon could go to China,” only Gov. Bob McDonnell can save Virginia’s transportation funding program from bankruptcy. Nixon had a strong anti-communist reputation. He was able to go to China and open diplomatic relations without fear of…
