HJR 75: U.S. Route 460 Communications Committee

September 26, 2007

The U.S. Route 460 Communications Committee met in Richmond on September 26, 2007, with Delegate Leo C. Wardrup, Jr., as chair. Several guest speakers were invited to the meeting to provide information to the members.

Prior to the presentations, Delegate Joannou inquired to whether consideration had been given to obtaining easements for passenger rail service. The chairman indicated that the Department of Transportation and Department of Rail and Public Transportation would be contacted to address the issue.

Presentations

Richard Walton, Jr., of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
Mr. Walton gave an overview of the Independent Review Panel (IRP) recommendations.
The IRP, which was appointed by the Secretary Transportation in February 2007, is chaired by Commonwealth Transportation Board member Alan Witt. The IRP made the following
recommendations:

• All three submitted proposals be advanced.
• I-64 be developed as a PPTA project independent of Route 460.
• Coordination with the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority.
• A detailed proposal (RFDP) to be submitted after each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) includes the project in its long-range plan.

The IRP’s recommendations also included aspects of the project that VDOT should address, including:

• Identify changes in scope that could improve the project and/or reduce costs.
• Conduct a multidisciplinary review, including engineering, operating, and environmental features, of project termini to determine the minimum number and location of corridor interchanges.
• Develop a method for determining phased development of interchanges.
• Determine bicycle and pedestrian requirements.
• Determine the project's hydraulic requirements.
• Analyze financing methods to determine feasible mix to support project development.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board also met in July 2007 and adopted a resolution to accept the IRP recommendations, as well as advance all three proposals concerning the project with the exception of removing the requirement that I-64 be developed as a PPTA. The Commonwealth Transportation Board, however, revised its financial support from it “will” to it "may" support allocations to advance the project.

Mr. Walton stated that VDOT will make its detailed proposal (RFDP) in the Fall 2007. The deadline for detailed proposals will be Spring 2008. Negotiation and execution of an interim or comprehensive agreement will occur in Fall 2008.

Delegate Joannou inquired about why the Commonwealth Transportation Board decided to take the southern route, which puts it on the other side of the railroad tracks, and whether the proposals included crossing of the tracks.

Delegate Jones wondered how it was determined by the Commonwealth Transportation Board that the southern route be used. Chairman Wardrup remarked that the committee had recommended using the northern route. He stated that the Commonwealth Transportation Board would be contacted to have someone provide the members with an explanation of why the southern route was chosen over the northern route.

Arthur Collins, Executive Director, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Mr. Collins informed the members that the Hampton Roads MPO has placed Route 460 back into its long-range planning and will make its final approval of the project in October 2007.

Joseph Vinsh, Crater Planning District Commission
Mr. Vinsh explained that the Crater Planning District Commission and the Tri-Cities MPO first became involved in a potential Route 460 project during the late 1990s during the TransAmerica Corridor Study, which addressed a segment of road between Beckley, WVa and Virginia Beach. Since that time, the Tri-Cities MPO and the Crater Planning District Commission have consistently presented Route 460 improvement as a number one regional transportation priority, stressing the need for a new four lane divided facility.

Delegate Jones stated that a way must be found to make the road all that it can be and that forward thinking is necessary, exploring what needs to be done and having the courage to do it. The members also discussed the economic development that Route 460 would bring to the region.

Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting of the U.S. Route 460 Communications Committee will be posted on the study website and online on the General Assembly calendar when the information becomes available.

Chairman:
The Hon. Leo C. Wardrup, Jr.

For information, contact:
Alan Wambold, Caroline Stalker , DLS Staff

Website:
http://dls.state.va.us/RT460.htm

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