HJR 185: U.S. Route 460 Communications Committee
July 19, 2005
The second meeting
of 2005 of the U.S. Route 460 Communications Committee was held on July
19, 2005, in Windsor, Virginia, at Windsor High School.
BACKGROUND
The committee was
established by the General Assembly (HJR 684-2001, SJR 324-2003) to act
as a link between the citizens and businesses of the Richmond-Petersburg
metropolitan area, the Port of Hampton Roads, and the Virginia Department
of Transportation (VDOT), as well as receive and disseminate communications
between the Department and persons and entities directly
affected by all phases and aspects of the planning, designing, constructing,
and financing of the U. S. Route 460 Improvement Projects.
Chairman McDonnell
reminded the members that VDOT is required by law (see House Bill No.
2543-2003) to solicit proposals for improvements to U.S. Route 460 between
Hampton Roads and the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area within 90
days of the receipt of federal approval of the relevant Draft Environmental
Impact Statement.
VDOT PRESENTATION
Mr. James O. Clarke
of VDOT briefed the members regarding the various exhibits available to
the general public at the public hearing scheduled to follow the committee's
meeting. Mr. Clarke told the panel that VDOT hopes to have a record of
decision from the Federal Highway Administration by March of 2006. The
members were pleased to be informed that, as a result of having taken
"a harder look" at the proposed number and length of bridges,
VDOT was able to considerably reduce the estimated capital costs of the
projects. Costs might be supported in part by tolls for two of the three
candidate build alternatives under consideration, but there was a concern
that if tolls were set too high, it would drive traffic off the new facility
and back onto "old" U.S. Route 460. Mr. Clarke said he expected
VDOT staff would be making a recommendation regarding the project to the
Commonwealth Transportation Board in September, with a request for proposals
(RFP) under the PPTA to follow within 90 days.
Following Mr. Clarke's
presentation, the members toured the various exhibits, and their questions
were answered by VDOT staff. A public hearing on the project sponsored
by VDOT was held following the committee meeting.
FUTURE MEETINGS
The next meeting
date of the committee will be posted on the General Assembly website when
available.
Chairman:
The Hon. Robert
F. McDonnell
For information,
contact:
Alan Wambold, Stephanie
Bishop, DLS Staff
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