RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458 Jeff Caldwell 804-586-1446

CO-023 May 13, 2004

VDOT HALTS PLANS TO REPAVE ENTIRE STRETCH OF I-64 FROM RICHMOND TO NEWPORT NEWS
Tight funding sources cause a change of plans to more targeted approach

RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will not undergo an entire 60-mile pavement rehabilitation project of I-64 from Richmond to Newport News due to tight funding sources in the state’s transportation program. The new plan will use scarce transportation funding to ensure proper maintenance of I-64 without causing the significant traffic disruption that would occur with a complete repaving.

“Instead of repaving all 60 miles, VDOT will focus its limited resources to ensure that needed maintenance and repairs on certain sections of I-64 are done in a timely manner with the least amount of traffic disruption,” said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet. “Hard choices have to be made to provide appropriate funding for the most needed projects in the state. There is simply not enough money available to address all transportation needs, including repaving the entire stretch of I-64 from Richmond to Newport News.”

The recently approved state budget does not provide any new funding for transportation. Once VDOT pays for maintenance, debt and on-going projects, there is scarce funding for new construction. The I-64 repaving project is one of several projects included in the draft six-year program that will be affected by the lack of new funding for transportation.

“While the funding is not available to widen or repave the entire stretch of I-64, VDOT will take care of the most pressing needs to keep the roadway safe,” said Constance Sorrell, VDOT’s interim district administrator for Hampton Roads.

“We will continue normal maintenance operations on I-64 such as pothole repairs and some repaving of sections that need it the most,” said Tom Hawthorne, VDOT’s Richmond district administrator. “VDOT has to be flexible and do what is best for all projects across the state with the limited resources we have.”

VDOT had planned a $55 million project to rehabilitate all lanes of I-64 from Laburnum Avenue in Richmond to Jefferson Avenue in Newport News - a distance of 60 miles - over a three-year period beginning this summer. The major project would have caused significant disruption to motorists using I-64, which was of concern to community and business leaders.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will reduce its draft six-year program by 14 percent or $1.3 billion. Transportation revenues proposed by Governor Mark Warner were not included in the state budget. The CTB will approve a final six-year program and transportation budget on June 17.