News and Views

VBT : What Does Transportation Success Look Like?

In 2012, Virginia faced a serious transportation crisis. Congestion was at an all-time high with our pavements crumbling and hundreds of our bridges being structurally deficient. For more than 20 years, Virginia had not invested any new money to address the crisis. Then, in 2013 the Virginia General Assembly stepped up and provided what Virginia woefully needed—a new transportation infrastructure-funding package (HB 2313)—providing millions of dollars in new funding for transportation.

While the debate for additional transportation funding was happening, one question loomed large—could the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the industry deliver? Moreover, if the Commonwealth committed the money, would we see projects that make a difference?

The answer has been a resounding, YES. VDOT and the transportation construction industry have not wasted any time since the passage of HB 2313. Hundreds of miles of roads have been repaved. Dozens of bridges have been rebuilt. And, all across the state we see major transportation projects currently under construction. These projects will reduce congestion, improve connectivity, reduce accidents and provide an overall improvement in the quality of life for Virginians.

For example, the completed “I-95 Hot Lanes” project was a huge success for the Commonwealth. The billion-dollar project improved mobility, congestion and connectivity on the busiest road in Northern Virginia. The Hot Lanes accommodate all types of high-volume transit, including bus lines—an example of how success also means getting the job done in the correct way.

Other current projects headed towards success include: the “Route 29 Solutions,” the “I-64 Capacity Improvements,” the “Transform 66” project, the “Connect Route 7” project, the “I-64-264 Interchange” project, the “I-581 Valley View” project, the “Chesapeake High-Rise Bridge” project, the” I-81 Exit 150” project, the “Dominion Boulevard” project and the “Rappahannock River Crossing” project.

• Charlottesville-based “Route 29 Solutions” will widen one of the area’s most traveled highways to six lanes and improve upon existing traffic signals. This project is under construction and should be completed in October 2017.

• The “I-64 Capacity Improvements” is a series of widening projects underway in the Hampton Roads area to alleviate major congestion issues, scheduled for completion in 2021.

• “Transform 66” includes multiple improvement projects, currently in the works and scheduled to be completed in 2021, to transform Northern Virginia’s Interstate 66, both outside and inside The Beltway.

• The “Connect Route 7” project will consist of Route 7 improvements to decrease congestion, increase capacity, improve safety, and expand mobility for pedestrians and cyclists.

• The “I-64/264 Interchange” in Virginia Beach, a choke point in that area, will be rebuilt starting in 2017.

• “I-581 Valley View” interchange reconstruction will bring much-needed improvements to traffic congestion and safety when it is completed this fall.

• The “Chesapeake High-Rise Bridge” replacement will correct a major deficient bridge and add new capacity as it begins construction in 2017.

• The “I-81 Exit 150” project is designed to improve the safety and traffic flow at the existing intersection and associated northbound movements from and to Interstate 81 that have a direct impact on routes 11, 220 and 220A.

• The “Dominion Boulevard” project will replace the Steel Bridge with a 95-foot high-rise fixed bridge, provide a 4-lane roadway from Great Bridge Boulevard to Cedar Road, construct interchange at Cedar Road, relocate Bainbridge Boulevard and Great Bridge Boulevard and construct a toll facility north of the Elizabeth River.

• The “Rappahannock River Crossing” project will improve I-95 South congestion by providing local traffic with an extra route to travel between Route 17 and Route 3, including two new bridges over the Rappahannock River.

All across the Commonwealth, VDOT and the transportation industry have responded to the challenge of rebuilding Virginia’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. The passing of HB2313 was a great start for improving Virginia’s transportation needs, but we shouldn’t stop there. Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads currently receive an additional half billion dollars per year designated for regional transportation construction, and other areas of Virginia could benefit from similar funding allocations. Additional funding is needed throughout the Commonwealth to maintain our infrastructure and help avoid high congestion from rural roads to urban intersections.

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