RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Laura Bullock (540) 387-5493 bristolinfo@VirginiaDOT.org

BRIS-co-61 Dec. 18, 2003

VDOT SIGNS CONSULTANT FOR I-81 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

RICHMOND - The federally required environmental review of the 325-mile Interstate 81 corridor in Virginia will begin in early January 2004, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

“Just this week we successfully concluded negotiations with a consultant firm to work with us on this crucial study,” announced Jeffrey Southard, VDOT’s chief of planning and the environment. “We got them on board ahead of our own schedule, and now we’re well-positioned to launch the study after the first of the year.”

VDOT selected the Richmond firm of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB) to conduct an environmental study of the I-81 corridor in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Because the interstate system is federally funded, any proposed changes to the highway must follow the national project development process as prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Part of the process includes compliance with all federal laws including NEPA.

“There are many questions associated with the possible expansion of I-81 in Virginia,” noted Southard, “A thorough NEPA study that is acceptable to FHWA will help answer those questions and also qualify Virginia for federal money to help pay for any changes.”

The environmental study must consider reasonable improvement concepts for the heavily traveled I-81 corridor, including opportunities for separation of trucks and passenger vehicles, and rail improvements. In addition, the study will evaluate tolling as a funding source. Citizens will have many opportunities to provide input on all proposed I-81 improvement concepts during the environmental review process, including many open house style meetings along the corridor and an interactive Web site.

In November, VDOT and FHWA announced that the agencies had agreed to streamline the environmental study by dividing it into two phases, or tiers, each of which will lead to specific decisions. This approach allows VDOT to get certain decisions from FHWA and other federal agencies throughout the course of the study, not just at the end.

When the Tier 1 study is completed, decisions on the following will be made:

· Improvement concepts for highway and rail facilities, such as the number of additional highway lanes that may be needed; partial or complete separation of trucks and passenger vehicles; and additional rail capacity.
· Approval to advance I-81 as a toll pilot project under current federal law
· Roadway and rail components to be studied in Tier 2
· Possible purchase of right-of-way parcels on a case-by-case basis

FHWA and VDOT will work to complete the Tier 1 study in mid-2005. The Tier 1 study is expected to identify site-specific areas for further analysis and federal approvals, which will be performed in a Tier 2 study. After completion of the Tier 2 study, FHWA could authorize use of federal funds for VDOT to begin designing construction plans, purchasing right-of-way and building improvements.

VHB will conduct the Tier 1 environmental study for VDOT under a contract valued at $10,955,273.