Bus loop eyed for Freezeland Road area

Warren County:

“A rural part of Warren County may soon get a place for parents to drop off and pick up school-aged children. The Board of Supervisors last week voted to accept a deed of a gift from the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries for approximately 3.19 acres of land on Freezeland Road. The county proposes to build a commuter parking lot with a bus loop for students. The facility would serve primarily the Shenandoah Farms and Blue Mountain communities.

County Administrator Douglas Stanley said Thursday that construction of the facility may not happen for another one to three years. The county needs to set aside funds to build the facility that Stanley said would compare to one it operates in Linden Park. Once the transfer of the property goes through, Stanley said the county would move forward on designing the facility. The county would need approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the design. The Planning Commission also would need to approve the site as a park.”

~Writes Alex Bridges of Northern Virginia Daily

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Transportation Bills

General Assembly

“On the transportation front, HB 2 as introduced would have required each locality in a VDOT construction district to vote individually as to transportation priorities as to whether they prefer allocations for transportation projects that address congestion relief or that would promote economic development. The bill is being rewritten to have the Commonwealth Transportation Board cooperate with MPOs in developing a prioritization process for allocating funds for the six-year improvement plan. Also, HB 854 and SB 470 are on their way to passage. The bills set a 35-mph maximum speed limit for gravel roads in all localities (currently the limit applies only to certain localities). The Senate has passed its version, while the House bill was approved Thursday in the House Transportation Committee.”

~Writes David Blount TJPDC Legislative Liaison

VDOT considers truck ban for Occoquan

Town of Occoquan:

“The GPS programs in some big rigs are telling drivers that cutting through Occoquan between Va. 123 and Old Bridge Road is a great way to save some time. ‘I’ve lost count of the number of times I have had to go out there and help 18-wheelers that have gotten stuck or have figured out this is not the best way to go,’ said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta who lives on Washington Street. He has had to help them back up on the road or wave off traffic. He even found a truck in a narrow alley where trucks are already prohibited. ‘Several times those big truckers have shown me their GPS units are telling them to cut through town to get to Old Bridge Road,’ he said.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is considering restrictions on through trucks along Occoquan Road/Washington Street and Tanyard Hill Road and has posted signs on the roads soliciting comment.

Occoquan and Tanyard Hill roads connect the town of Occoquan to Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge. The initiative came from VDOT, but Porta said at some point in the past he remembers VDOT asking the town council for its opinion. It supports the restriction.”

~Writes Aileen Streng of InsideNova

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SCC Examiner Rejects Greenway Toll Challenge

Loudoun County:

“The efforts to lower toll rates on the Dulles Greenway took a hit yesterday, with the State Corporation Commission’s hearing examiner rejecting the case that stemmed from a complaint by Del. David Ramadan (R-87). In the 67-page report, Hearing Examiner A. Ann Bekrebile finds she ‘had no authority to reduce tolls,’ relying, it appears, on a 2008 amendment to the original law governing the Greenway. The amendment was authored by then-Sen. Mark Herring to provide for limited annual toll increases.

‘I disagree with the Examiners ruling,’ Ramadan said in a statement Thursday night. ‘I do not believe that Senator Herring’s intent was to limit the SCC’s power to regulate tolls. And I do not believe that the current law does that. But the process is not over, I fully intend to ask the Commission to reject the Report and reconsider the logic of the Hearing Examiner.’

There is some hope for residents still hoping to see a less costly toll road running through Loudoun. The examiner's report included the potential for partial relief, with a recommendation that the SCC order the Greenway's operator to conduct a distance based toll price study, which is something the organization has resisted in years past saying the cost of installing distance pricing is cost prohibitive.”

~Writes Erika Jacobson Moore of Leesburg Today

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Metro Planner: R-B Corridor Will Be an Economic ‘Fulcrum’

Northern Virginia:

“Arlington will play a pivotal role in the regional economy with the coming of the Silver Line, suggests Metro planning director Shyam Kannan. Speaking at GMU’s Va. Square campus last week, Kannan said that the Silver Line and development around Tysons Corner will make the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor the economic ‘fulcrum’ of the D.C. area. Development pressure — particularly demand for new apartments and condos — ‘only becomes more pronounced’ with the Silver Line, he said, thanks to our central location between the ‘downtowns’ of the District and Tysons Corner.

That should come as a welcome bit of prognostication for Arlington County, which has been fretting about economic competition with a newly Metro-accessible Tysons Corner. The Silver Line, however, will hasten the necessity to build a second Potomac River crossing between Rosslyn and the District. Already, service adjustments are putting a squeeze on the Blue Line through Rosslyn, reducing train frequency and increasing crowding. Metro envisions building a second Rosslyn Metro station, which will connect with a new Metro line through Georgetown via a second Potomac River tunnel. That will help alleviate the increasingly problematic ‘bottleneck’ between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom. Kannan acknowledged that overcrowding and frequent equipment breakdowns are a problem, but said Metro is working to solve both.”

~ Writes the Arlington Now

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Meeting set on future of I-66 corridor

Northern Virginia:

“The public is invited to learn more about strategies being considered to transform 25 miles of Interstate 66 from the beltway to Haymarket. The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation have identified 10 concepts that would ‘increase capacity, provide multi-modal options, improve individual interchanges and address safety and operations,’ according to a VDOT news release.

The Prince William meeting is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 10800 Vandor Lane, Manassas. The public may give written comments at the meeting, send them by e-mail to meeting_comments@vdot.virginia.gov or by mail to Susan Shaw, P.E. at 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Comments should be received by Feb. 17 and reference ‘I-66 Corridor Improvements’ in the subject line.”

~Writes InsideNova

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Bike-Walk Summit Selected as Model Program

Shenandoah Valley

“The 2013 Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bike- Walk Summit was featured in the January issue of American Bicyclist, published by the League of America Bicyclists, as a model for  bringing diverse stakeholders together for better cycling and better communities.  The article titled, ‘United Spokes: When community stakeholders come together, the result is better cycling for all’ starts on page 16 and Harrisonburg is featured on page 20.”

~Central Shenandoah PDC

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Prince William supervisors unveil road project wish list

Prince William County:

“Some of Prince William County’s worst traffic hotspots – U.S. 1, Va. 28 and Minnieville Road – were included in a new wish list of road projects approved by the Board of Supervisors last week. The list, which includes six regional and eight local projects, will be sent to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to be considered for funding under the state’s new transportation law, which raised local sales taxes to 6 percent last July to fund projects aimed at relieving the area’s notoriously congested roadways.

The projects will vie for about $290 million in funding expected to come available for new transportation projects next year. Seventy percent of that money, about $200 million, will be devoted to regional projects. The remaining 30 percent, about $90 million, will be split among northern Virginia’s counties and cities proportionate to the amount of sales-tax revenue they generate. Prince William County’s take will be about $10 million, said Supervisor Marty Nohe, R-Coles, who also serves as chairman of the NVTA.”

~Writes Jill Palermo of InsideNova

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Norton set to begin safe route work

City of Norton

“A project years in the making is about to begin in Norton, Va., and will ultimately make walking from downtown to community facilities safer, city leaders said. The $4 million project will transform the sidewalk at the intersection of Park Avenue Northwest and Park Avenue Southeast on U.S. Highway 23. It started as a Safe Routes to School project, which is a federal program to help make walking to school safer, said Norton City Manager Fred Ramey. The sidewalk leads from downtown Norton to the city’s elementary and middle school complex as well as a community center and recreation fields.

And as officials started work on the sidewalk — which currently is narrow and separated from the road by a chain link fence — they discovered that the rocks in the hillside above were unstable. The area had been part of a surface mine, Ramey said. So the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy got involved and the two projects have merged, Ramey said. The DMME is paying $3 million of construction costs and the Virginia Department of Transportation is picking up $1 million of the tab, he added.

The sidewalk will expand from 4 to 10 feet wide. ‘That allows it to be a multi-use sidewalk,’ Ramey said. ‘Two bikes could pass on it.’ A wall will separate the sidewalk from the road, and a terraced wall system will stabilize the slope, he said.”

~Writes Allie Robinson Gibson of the Bristol Herald Courier

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HRTPO Board supports a proposed commission to handle regional transportation funds

Hampton Roads

“The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization's ad hoc legislation committee met Friday to discuss proposed General Assembly bills determining who controls new local transportation funding. The committee approved a letter supporting the creation of a new commission to handle local transportation money, but asking that such an entity not duplicate HRTPO efforts and not be given power to determine what projects get funded in the region.

The state's transportation law, passed in 2013 and known as House Bill 2313, is expected to provide $5.5 billion in transportation funds for the region over the next 20 years. Part would come from a portion of state sales taxes in the Hampton Roads area and part would be from wholesale gasoline taxes. The law requires that money be spent on roads, tunnels and bridges.

Legislation introduced by Senator Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, and Del. Chris Jones, R-Chesapeake, establishes an accountability commission to manage the funds, with the ability also to issue bonds for construction work. But the legislation also would vest that commission with the ability to plan and prioritize projects that would receive the new transportation funds. And that worried the HRTPO Board, said Chair and Newport News Mayor McKinley Price.”

~Writes Cathy Grimes of Daily Press

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Oceanfront street to undergo 3-year makeover

Virginia Beach

“Pacific Avenue at the Oceanfront is in store for a major makeover that is expected to take three years to complete. The $15 million project is expected to start this fall. Work includes the reconstruction of the southbound lanes from 15th Street to 23rd Street, new pavement heading northbound, new sidewalks and street lights, along with improvements to sewer, water and gas lines.

‘It's been in need of improvements for a long, long time,’ said George Smith, owner of Juice Box Surf Shop on Pacific Avenue. While he knows the project is important, Smith worries about his bottom line during construction.”

~Writes Philip Townsend of 13News Now

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Tidewater toll revisions criticized

Hampton Roads

“Critics of the proposed Hampton Roads tolls are unsatisfied by the new governor’s initiatives reducing – and in some cases eliminating — those tolls, which are scheduled to take effect Feb. 1. This past week Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels would not charge tolls to emergency vehicles. Earlier he also said the Commonwealth Transportation Board determined passenger-car-peak-period tolls would be reduced from $1.84 to $1 each way.

However, members of Citizens for Accountability in Politics Political Action Committee, an organization concerning itself with Hampton Roads issues, say the tolls are fundamentally unfair because they were imposed by unelected officials. The tolls are the result of a private-public partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Elizabeth River Crossings, which is described in a press release as the ‘private partner of VDOT for the design, construction, finance, operations and maintenance of the Elizabeth River Tunnels Project.’ CAPPAC challenged the tolls in circuit court and won, but ultimately lost on appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia.”

~Writes Lauren McLellan of the Tidewater News

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Augusta BOS Votes to Widen Route 608 in Fishersville

Augusta County

“Crews are already widening the bottleneck at Exit 91 off Interstate 64, but that project doesn't cover a chunk of Route 608 waiting to be developed. Eight properties that have been purchased along 608 in Fishersville can't break ground on new development until the road is widened, so Augusta County supervisors voted Wednesday night to solicit for bids to fix that problem…

The project is expected to cost a few million dollars, but leftover Virginia Department of Transportation secondary road funds and revenue sharing could leave the county with less than half the cost.”
~Reports NBC29

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Planners look for ways to improve safety on Bedford County road

Bedford County

“There was time when 221 was a sleepy, two-lane road. Those days are long gone. ‘It has tripled in traffic!’ exclaimed Robbin Hutton, an assistant manager at M&M Cleaners who has worked along the road for 25 years. Her employer was one of a very few businesses in the neighborhood back in the early 90's.  Today, the community is packed with shopping centers, restaurants, and cars…

The Region 2000 Government Council is working with planners in Bedford County and Lynchburg, to study the road and look for ways to make it safer.”

~Writes Tim Saunders of WDBJ

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Metro Garages Pulled From Dulles Rail Project; County To Finalize Federal Funding Application

Loudoun County

“To help ensure that there will be federal funding for the project, the Board of Supervisors last week voted to remove the cost of constructing the three parking garages associated with Loudoun’s stations on Metro’s Silver Line extension, and find another way to finance them.

During 2011 negotiations on the Memorandum of Agreement between local and federal entities on the Metrorail project, the cost of constructing the parking garages was taken out of the Phase 2 construction program in an effort to cut the project’s overall price tag. Loudoun and Fairfax counties agreed to seek alternative funding for the parking garages, including forming public-private partnerships with area landowners and developers, or paying for them through local capital project budgets. If the funding could not be found, the costs would revert to the overall Metro project.

In meetings with the U.S. Department of Transportation this summer to discuss the potential to secure additional funding through the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, or TIFIA, to help offset the overall costs of the Metro construction project, the federal agency told Loudoun representatives the final decision to remove the garages would have to be made before the application could be submitted.”

~Writes Erika Jacobson Moore of Leesburg Today

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King Street bike lanes brake for an appeal

City of Alexandria

“The battle over installing less than a mile of bike lanes on Alexandria’s King Street will go into spring, after city officials announced Wednesday that they will allow public hearings on the controversy in February and March.

Bicyclists and residents have squared off over the plan to narrow the busy traffic lanes on a residential portion of King Street in order to accommodate bike lanes. The proposal has been in the works since last summer, but residents objected to losing parking spots in front of their houses while bicyclists said the existing road is dangerous to use.

Last month, Alexandria’s transportation director Rich Baier announced that a compromise plan would go forward. That plan calls for full bike lanes part of the way, and street markings that indicate bikes, cars, buses and trucks will share existing traffic lanes the rest of the way.”

~Writes the Patricia Sullivan of the Washington Post

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Roanoke City could make changes to Memorial Bridge

City of Roanoke

“If the city receives VDOT's approval, it plans to make changes to layout of Memorial Bridge. The city would extend the sidewalk on the downstream side of the bridge from 6ft to 14ft making it safer for walkers. It will also pave a pathway from the bridge to Vic Thomas Park. That connection will extend the greenway from the Tinker Creek Greenway to Ghent Hill Park which is about a seven mile stretch.

Project Manager, Luke Pugh, says the connection is something that will make the region a better place to live. He says, ‘The Grandin Village and Wasena area are certainly one of our heavy residential areas that use the greenway and this really provides a formal connection for those folks to use the greenway.’

If the project is approved, the city would use federal money to pay for construction. The project was opened for bids on Friday. Multiple bids have been placed since then. The lowest bid is $320,000. The city hopes to begin construction in late spring.”

~Writes Jade Hanson of WSLS 10

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Orange Council votes to buy land for project

Town of Orange

“The Orange Town Council has agreed to acquire a parcel of land needed for the North Street project. Meeting Tuesday night despite a snowstorm, the council held a public hearing on the matter, but no speakers appeared to discuss the proposal.

The town has been negotiating with the developer of Oakbrook Terrace to purchase the needed property, but has thus far been unable to reach an agreement on price. The town seeks to acquire title to slightly more than half an acre, along with easements for streetscape, utility and drainage.”

~Writes Dan McFarland of the Free Lance–Star

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What’s Next for I-66

Northern Virginia

“VDOT will hold a public information meeting on the next steps to identify potential traffic improvements in the I-66 Corridor. It’s set for Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road in Vienna. (If cancelled due to weather: Tuesday, Feb. 4).

#VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation have identified 10 concepts to increase capacity within the I-66 corridor, plus options to increase travel-mode choices, improve individual interchanges, address spot safety needs and enhance travel efficiency.”

~Writes The Connection

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Panel rejects attempts to revise, reverse transportation deal

General Assembly

“Several legislative attempts to undo last year's landmark transportation deal, and the tax shifts that were part of it, died at a subcommittee meeting Friday. Committee members tabled a full repeal, likely relegating it to the legislative session's dustbin. They also tabled House Bill 40, which would have headed off a potential increase in Virginia's gasoline tax.

The bill sought to undo one section of last year's transportation funding overhaul that tied a future increase in the gas tax to Internet sales taxes. Many states are hoping Congress will give them more power to collect sales taxes on Internet sales. The way last year's transportation deal was written, the current 3.5 percent gas tax – charged at the wholesale level – will increase to 5.1 percent if Congress doesn't act by Jan. 1 of next year.”

~Writes Travis Fain of the Daily Press

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New Blacksburg Transit Mobile App in the works

Town of Blacksburg

“Blacksburg Transit are working with developers at ACI and NOMAD to finish making the final tweaks on the new mobile app called ‘BT4U.’ Blacksburg transit officials have been working with developers since early December of 2013 to make final tweaks to the app. Officials say the app will help commuters plan their trips all from their smart phones without going online to find out bus times. The app is expected to launch on the I-phone or Android in mid to late February.”

~Writes Duke Carter of WSLS 10

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VRE makes future plans

Northern Virginia

“Virginia Railway Express ridership has grown to the point where seats can be hard to find. The commuter rail service expects demand to grow and is looking for ways to keep up. That’s where the VRE system plan comes into play.

The Operations Board and its staff started work on the plan last year. On Friday, the board approved the plan, which looks forward to the year 2040 and includes adding new trains. VRE officials expect that the commuter rail ridership could double by 2040, according to the plan. Currently, VRE handles an average of more than 19,000 rider trips on weekdays.”

~Writes Scott Shenk of the Free Lance–Star

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Historic Waterloo Bridge suffers from neglect and deterioration

Culpeper County

“VDOT District Administrator John Lynch said that closing the bridge temporarily may be a decision reached this week. Standing as a testament to time and history, the one-lane Waterloo Bridge has seen a cast of characters cross its wooden planks over the decades. Still strong, but by current standards, not quite strong enough, the bridge, and its needed repairs, were on the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors agenda as they gathered for their first meeting of 2014.

Virginia Department of Transporation (VDOT) representatives had requested an opportunity to share with the board a number of options regarding the future of the bridge which is in need of substantial repairs.”

~Writes Anita Sherman of the Culpeper Times

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Bicycle-passing bill advances

General Assembly

“The Virginia Senate Transportation committee recently has approved a bill increasing the distance at which cars must pass bicycles, from 2 feet to 3 feet. Senate Bill 97, introduced by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Fredericksburg, has been unsuccessfully introduced in the past by Reeves and a number of other Republican and Democratic legislators. Previous opponents of the bill, including Sen. Charles W. Carrico, R-Galax, have cited enforceability issues as a reason for barring passage of the bill, saying that it is hard for drivers to know the difference between 2- and 3-foot distances while driving.

This bill would change the distance at which a car can pass electric personal assistive mobility devices (scooters and wheelchairs), mopeds and animal-drawn vehicles. Twenty-two other states and Washington, D.C. have similar laws that say drivers must pass bicycles with at least 3 feet of room.”

~Writes Lauren McLellan of the Tidewater News

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VDOT official to Isle of Wight Board: U.S. 460 project "refocused," not delayed

Isle of Wight

“A Department of Transportation official told the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors on Thursday that the U.S. 460 project was being refocused, not suspended entirely.

The project, a new 55-mile stretch of divided highway slated to be built along the route of the existing 460, has had permitting issues since the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Highway Administration ordered additional study of the impact the project would have on area wetlands in October 2013. The study was ordered when it became clear that previous estimates of the amount of wetland area impacted were substantially lower than the agencies were seeing out in the field.

The Virginia Department of Transportation project manager for the new 460 improvement, Philip Rinehart, told the board the study is projected to be completed by August or September.”

~Writes the Ryan Murphyof the Daily Press

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Chambers of commerce along U.S. 29 corridor endorse Western Bypass

Albemarle County

“The chambers of commerce in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Danville and Roanoke have sent a letter to Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Lane expressing support for the Western Bypass of U.S. 29. In the seven-page letter released today, the regional chambers said maintaining the project’s momentum is essential to Virginia’s long-term highway safety and economic development.

‘We respect the views of those citizens and organizations who have expended their energy opposing the project, but they are inaccurate in their assessment of the value and need of the project,’ the letter stated. ‘The facts are clear: The U.S. 29 Western Bypass will improve transportation safety and access, and the environmental impacts can and will be managed properly.’

The letter is endorsed by Timothy Hulbert, president of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Christine Kennedy, executive vice president of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; Laurie Moran, president of the Pittsylvania-Danville Chamber of Commerce; and Joyce Waugh, president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

As planned, the bypass would be 6.2 miles long and cost about $244 million. The letter says more than 20,000 people work in jobs on or along the current U.S. 29 corridor in the Charlottesville region.”

~Writes the Daily Progress

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VDOT names new Fredericksburg District director

VDOT

“Marcie Parker, the former Virginia Department of Transportation Salude Residencey administrator, has been appointed as acting administrator of the Fredericksburg District. The Fredericksburg District includes the Middle Peninsula and Gloucester. The Saluda Residency includes Gloucester and Mathews.

Parker replaces Quintin D. Elliott, who was named VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner earlier this work. Parker was worked for VDOT since 1993 and served as Saluda Residency administrator from 2001 to 2010.”

~Writes Matt Sabo of the Daily Press

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Maintenance of bridge-tunnel an expensive proposition

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

“Maintaining the 17.6-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects the Eastern Shore of Virginia to Hampton Roads, is a tall order. Much of the maintenance is never seen by those who annual pay $45 million in tolls to cross it. The bridge’s ventilation system, scheduled for a two-year $7.8 million overhaul expected to begin in late March, is the facility’s second-most expensive capital project this year, yet to occupants of the 3.5 million vehicles that cross the facility annually, it will be invisible. ‘The public will not see any component of that work as they cross the bridge,’ said Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District Executive Director Jeff Holland. That holds true with much of the work that extends the life of the facility.

The bridge-tunnel exists in an unforgiving marine environment. Besides the daily pummeling by thousands of cars and trucks, it withstands hurricane-force winds, powerful waves and relentless currents. Yet most travelers rarely consider maintenance and preservation, except when those activities cause them delay. In 2013, the district spent about $14 million to preserve and maintain the bridge-tunnel, which itself is valued at about $424 million.”

~Writes Connie Morrison of Delmarva Now

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VDOT Plans to Reconstruct High-Traffic Road in Stuarts Draft

Augusta County

“The Virginia Department of Transportation is sharing its plan to make a high-traffic road in Stuarts Draft safer. The plan is to reconstruct a part of Route 610, or Howardsville Turnpike. A VDOT rep says they'll level and widen the half-mile section near Hodge and Lake roads. He says this will help the sight distance and drainage issues…

VDOT says public input, especially from property owners off of 610, helps them tweak the plans if needed. The $4.4 million project is still roughly three years out.”
~Reports NBC29

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City Council Approves Resolution to Start Condemnation Proceedings

City of Harrisonburg

“The City Council approved a resolution to allow the city to use condemnation proceedings, if a settlement is not reached with property owners on Reservoir Street. According to the City Attorney Chris Brown, at least 20 homeowners have not settled with the city…

The land would allow the city to continue the Reservoir Street Improvement Project, which extends from University Boulevard to the East City limits. The project would expand Reservoir Street, from two to four lanes. It would also add a bike lane and a sidewalk… The city will continue its efforts to settle with the remaining land owners. Brown said before starting any proceedings, landowners will be notified about a public hearing in February where they will be allowed to speak about their concerns.

If they can't reach a settlement with the city after that, the city will initiate condemnation proceedings, which are handled in court.”
~Reports Estephany Escobar WHSV – ABC3

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HRT: Light rail through Hilltop would cost $1.3B

City of Virginia Beach

“Bringing a light-rail route to the Hilltop area would draw more commuters and tourists than earlier options but would cost nearly $300 million more and disrupt twice as many homeowners and businesses, project leaders said Tuesday. Executives from Hampton Roads Transit unveiled a $1.3 billion price tag for running a train from Newtown Road through the upscale Hilltop section and on to the Oceanfront. City Council members sat quietly throughout the presentation.

Construction could begin no sooner than 2018 - no matter which of three HRT options or others being floated is selected - and the project faces significant financial and political hurdles. HRT President and CEO William Harrell said that by 2034, the Hilltop route is projected to attract a minimum of 8,845 ‘boardings’ per weekday in Virginia Beach - the most of the three routes.”

~Writes John Holland of Virginian-Pilot

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VDOT: Preliminary Six-Year Financial Plan and Six-Year Improvement Plan Strategy

VDOT

John Lawson and Reta Busher gave a presentation to the CTB on the outlook for the preliminary six year financial plan and SYIP strategy. VDOT is facing revenue reductions for the update of the SYIP. As this unfolds, VDOT will have more guidance on the next steps.

Click here for the presentation

Board of Supervisors OKs Roundabout

Fairfax County

“It’s a go for the controversial roundabout planned for construction at the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection next to Cox Farms in Centreville. Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed Supervisor Michael R. Frey’s (R-Sully) motion of ‘no opposition’ to it, by an 8-2 vote…

Near the Fairfax/Loudoun border, that intersection regularly backs up at rush hour. So, at Loudoun’s urging, VDOT plans to build a 105-foot circle to move vehicles through there more quickly. The $4.1 million project is funded by Loudoun, state and federal money.

But many residents in nearby Centreville communities are adamantly opposed to it. Those living along Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads say they won’t be able to get out of their streets due to the steady stream of Loudoun drivers on both roads. They say a roundabout would dramatically favor Loudoun residents, to the detriment of Fairfax drivers.”

~Writes Bonnie Hobbs of The Connection

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Continuing Revitalization on Richmond Highway

Fairfax County

“Route 1 revitalization has been a major topic in Southeast Fairfax County for several years now, and the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will continue this effort into 2014. Edythe Kelleher, the executive director of SFDC, said that the group has a lot of plans that will impact residents and business owners along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Along with discussing SFDC’s continuing Roundtable Speaker Series and other educational events. Kelleher and Lindsey Doane, SFDC marketing and communications director, addressed the history of Route 1, areas to watch out for, and SFDC goals in general.”

~Writes Janelle Germanos of The Connection

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Many transportation projects vie for travelers’ attention in congested Washington region

Northern Virginia

“The region’s top transportation stories for 2014 are the start-up of the Metro Silver Line and the D.C. streetcar, Metro’s fare increases and the transit rebuilding program, the addition of bike lanes, the completion of toll highways and the rebuilding of interchanges and bridges.

But there’s plenty more going on this year. Here’s a look at the runner-up category.”

~Writes the Robert Thomson of the Washington Post

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Motorists still confused about Opal intersection

Fauquier County

“Virginia taxpayers spent $45 million on the interchange to ease congestion in Opal. Now, if transportation officials can just get Route 17 southbound motorists to use the big circle that loops from Routes 15/29 just down the road from Pete’s Park ’n’ Eat.

Engineers designed the project to dramatically reduce the number of left turns at the Opal stoplight. More than 40,000 vehicles a day pass through that intersection. After the interchange opened Nov. 11, the Virginia Department of Transportation eliminated one of two left turn lanes for southbound Route 17 traffic.

Despite electronic and static signs about the change, confusion among motorists made the busy intersection even more dangerous as the new traffic pattern took effect."

~Writes Lawrence Emerson of Faquier Now

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Crater Road could see improvements

City of Petersburg

“Improvements for traffic on South Crater Road could be on their way after the city last week accepted a grant for $660,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation to look at improving signalization and other enhancements.

Petersburg Director of Public Works Steven Hicks said the grant doesn't pay for the improvements to the roadway itself, but rather the study to determine what improvements will best serve the roadway now and into the future.”

~Writes F.M. Wiggins of the Progress-Index

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Gloucester officials want Route 17 pedestrian crossings

Gloucester County

“County officials are pressing the Virginia Department of Transportation for pedestrian crossings on Route 17 in Gloucester Point as part of a series of projects on the highway and connecting roads to make it more compatible with people walking and biking and to improve traffic flow through Gloucester.

The request by Gloucester County officials comes as plans are being set for a number of projects along the highway and its corridors. The projects include:

• Coordinating traffic signals on 11 miles of Route 17, from the Court House area to the Coleman Bridge, at an estimated cost of $2.2 million.
• Constructing facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists for nearly 2 miles on Hayes Road, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million.
• Constructing facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists for 3.6 miles on Guinea Road, from the intersection of Route 17 to the intersection of Maryus Road, at an estimated cost of $1.4 million.
• Widening Route 17 for pedestrians and bicyclists, from just north of the Coleman Bridge to Farmwood Road, at an estimated cost of $349,000.”

~Writes Matt Sabo of the Daily Press

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Fredericksburg considers traffic circle on Lafayette Boulevard

City of Fredericksburg

“Fredericksburg will be on its way to getting a roundabout on Lafayette Boulevard if City Council grants a rezoning request for the Telegraph Hill development on Tuesday.

The council is expected to approve a request to rezone nearly 22 acres along Lafayette across from Lee Drive, the entrance to the Fredericksburg battlefield. The zoning would change from light industrial, general industrial and residential to planned mixed-use development. That would enable Fredericksburg LLC to combine that property with an adjoining 24 acres to create Telegraph Hill, a town-center-style development that would include commercial, retail and residential units.”

~Writes Pamela Gould of The Free Lance–Star

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Local leaders welcome Roanoke passenger rail deal

City of Roanoke

“The news last week that the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corp. agreed to improve rail infrastructure needed to bring passenger rail into Roanoke was welcomed by local leaders. ‘I’m certainly pleased to hear this,’ said Ed Morgan, mayor of Abingdon, Va., whose Town Council on Monday approved a resolution supporting the move to bring passenger rail to Southwest Virginia…

The agreement announced by Gov. Bob McDonnell Thursday includes the track additions and realignments between Lynchburg and Roanoke needed to extend Amtrak service to the Star City. It also includes signal upgrades, clearance adjustments and a platform and train servicing facility in downtown Roanoke, according to the statement from the governor’s office.”

~Writes Allie Robinson Gibson of the Bristol Herald Courier

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Route 460 project presents problems

Hampton Roads

“Contested federal permits and a large environmental impact are putting the ‘Commonwealth Connector,’ a new 55-mile, tolled alternative to the current Route 460 from Prince George County to Suffolk, in jeopardy.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe told the Virginian-Pilot in December he did not believe taxpayer money should be used on the project until federal permits were issued and — even then — he would still ‘take a hard look’ at the project…

The proposed route will cost around $1.4 billion. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s website, the project will be funded from three different sources. The Virginia Department of Transportation would provide about $900 million and the Virginia Port Authority would provide about $250 million of public funding, both of which would ultimately come from taxpayers. The rest — around $250 million — would be provided through tax-exempt toll revenue bonds, which will be paid back with tolls collected from highway users.

Drivers who travel the length of the new route would be charged around $4 while trucks would pay around $12. The existing Route 460 would remain free.”

~Writes Lauren McClellan of the Suffolk News-Herald

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VDOT Coordinating Transportation Planning & Land Use Forum

VDOT Event

“On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a statewide Forum on coordinating transportation and land use planning. 

The Forum will take place at John Tyler Community College’s Chester campus, which is located at 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester, Virginia 23831.  This will be a one day event beginning at 9:00 A.M and ending at 3:30 P.M.  Lunch will be provided.

This is a free event sponsored by VDOT and its purpose is to increase the coordination of transportation planning and land use planning. The Forum’s agenda with additional details will be provided at this site as our list of speakers is solidified.  The principal intended audience is locality planners as well as planning district and metropolitan planning organization staff.

In order to register for this April 2nd event, please contact Lynne Wasz at lynne.wasz@vdot.virginia.gov or at (804) 786-0966 by Friday, March 7th.”

~VDOT

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Three bridges on 2014 fix list

Rappahannock County

“Rappahannock County is getting in shape for 2014, as the supervisors approved three bridge replacements… The first bridge scheduled is one McCarthy said is ‘pretty far up Harris Hollow’ on Route 622. Nesbit said the bridge currently has an efficiency rating of only 53.9, but will be a relatively quick repair and likely only be closed ‘for about a week.’

The second to-be-replaced bridge on Route 622 is located on Rock Mills Road and crosses over the Covington River, and will be a bit more substantial — requiring it to be closed for one to three weeks. Both replacements are scheduled for the summer, McCarthy noted.

The third and final bridge is on Fodderstack Road, just beyond the Washington town borders. Nesbit said the replacement will likely be the most time-consuming of three, and require residents to take a detour for two to three weeks. Repairs are scheduled for the fall, McCarthy noted, somewhat dismayed, which will also require a bus rerouting if the project isn’t handled over the summer. All three repairs were approved unanimously, 5-0.”

~Writes Matt Wingfield of the Rappahannock News

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Town considers condemnation for North St. improvements

Town of Orange

“In order to make improvements to a town road, the Orange Town Council may have to pursue condemnation proceedings, something it hasn’t done in at least 19 years. When the Roundhill Meadows housing project was approved in 2011, it included a proffer to construct a new section of North Street running from Radney Road to the southern edge of the Meadows’ property. A proffer was also included to extend the new piece of North Street with the existing North Street, providing alternate access off of Rt. 15 and improving the town’s transportation network.

 

However, the proffer to construct the connector hinges on the town’s ability to obtain the necessary public rights of way and easements from the current owner—something it hasn’t been able to do. According to town attorney Gail Marshall, the town has tried several times since August 2012 to obtain the necessary property from Oakbrook Terrace L.P. She said the property needed for the project consists of 25,299 sq. ft. along the eastern boundary of the property along with a permanent streetscape and utility easement adjacent to the western side of it (7,568 sq. ft.), a permanent drainage easement (596 sq. ft.) and a temporary construction easement that need to be in place for no more than five years depending on construction (8,740 sq. ft.).”

~Writes Gracie Hart Brooks of the Orange County Review

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Plans unveiled for streetscape enhancement project

Town of Strasburg

“Town officials, business owners and representatives from Lantz Construction Co. of Winchester met Wednesday to discuss plans for Strasburg's downtown streetscape enhancement project.

The project's first phase would replace the sidewalks, curbs and gutters along King Street from Holliday Street to Capon Street, and add brick crosswalks, trees and street lamps along the same stretch of road. Director of Public Works Mark Gundersen said construction is anticipated to start near the end of this month and finish in mid-July.

He said construction will move on a "block-by-block" basis, beginning at the intersection of King and Holliday Street until the end of February and progressing to spans of Holliday to Fort Street, Fort to Sharpe Street and Sharpe to Capon Street.”
~Writes Ryan Cornell of the Nothern Virginia Daily

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Bike-Related Bills in the 2014 Virginia General Assembly

General Assembly

“With Session to begin tomorrow, the VBF is currently working for the passage of three bills focused on cycling. Two bills, one requiring three foot passing and another for dooring, have been introduced in the Senate by Senators Reeves and Petersen, and Delegate Comstock has introduced a “following too closely” bill in the House.”

~Writes the Virginia Bicycling Federation

Click here for a summary of the bills

Pulaski Area Transit to work with NRVSS to request funds for new equipment

Pulaski County

“New River Valley Senior Services, Inc. (NRVSS) is working alongside the Pulaski Area Transit to request funds to obtain new vehicles. They will request FTA 5317 New Freedom and FTA 5310 funds from Department of Rail and Public Transportation. This will allow the Transit to obtain two nine-passenger raised roof vehicles, and one minivan with a wheelchair ramp.

These vehicles will replace vans that are four years or older, and have more than 100,000 miles. This will enable NRVSS to continue to provide reliable transportation services to the elderly and disabled around the area.

Pulaski Area Transit will request funds for capital and operating expenses under New Freedom from the Commonwealth of Virginia. These funds will be used to support a mobility manager, operating assistance and capital assistance.

Public transportation or para transit operators within the Fourth Planning District can comment on the proposed request by sending a written notice by Feb. 1 to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation-Public Transportation Division, 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond VA 23219. Notices can also be sent to NRVSS at 141 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Pulaski VA 24301.”

~Writes Calvin Pynn of the Southwest Times

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NC-to-DC high speed rail compact to meet in Va.

High Speed Rail

“Virginia and North Carolina representatives are scheduled to meet on the development of high-speed rail service from Charlotte, N.C., to Washington, D.C. Members of the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High Speed Rail Compact are to meet Tuesday in Richmond. The panel is made up of members from each state's legislature.

The compact was created by both states to develop the high-speed rail corridor. A primary goal is obtaining federal funding. In 2012, Virginia received nearly $75 million for the project.”

~Writes the Daily Progress

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Reshaping Rural Highways for Livability

Free WEBINAR - Federal Highway Administration

“ContextSensitiveSolutions.org is pleased to present a free webinar on ‘Reshaping Rural Highways for Livability’ focusing on a regionally-scalled national demonstration project on US Route 50 in Virginia. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, January 21st, 2014, at 3:00 PM EDT, and is brought to you by FHWA, in partnership with the Project for Public Spaces and Sevatec.

This webinar details how Virginia DOT and stakeholders worked together to balance the role of Route 50 as a major national highway with the reality that it is also the heart of the rural communities it binds together.

The Rural Route 50 Traffic Calming Plan began in 1994 as a grassroots effort to protect a scenic and historic section of the Virginia Piedmont known as the Mosby Heritage Area, where it is the main street for several small towns. Traffic projections showed increasing demand for the 24-mile corridor located a mere 45 miles outside of Washington D.C., but an innovative public process and federal demonstration project funding ultimately produced a plan to manage and calm traffic rather than simply add capacity.

Today much of the plan has been implemented, including the Gilbert's Corner project in 2009, a system of four roundabouts to relieve congestion. Participants will learn about how the Route 50 plan was developed and implemented and will gain invaluable insights for DOTs and stakeholders seeking to achieve both mobility and livability in the rural areas.”

Featuring

Susan Van Wagner, Steering Committee Chair, Route 50 Corridor Coalition

Ian Lockwood, Professional Engineer (Livable Transportation), AECOM

Jan Vaughan, Northern Virginia District, VDOT

James Zeller, Northern Virginia District, VDOT

Click here to register