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IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458

CO-0413 March 17, 2004

WORKING DRAFT OF TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM RELEASED
Program could change depending on outcome of state budget

RICHMOND -- A working draft of Virginia’s program to fund transportation projects over the next six years was presented today to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). The draft Six-Year Improvement Program allocates an estimated $7.2 billion for nearly 1,700 transportation projects - including highway construction, rail and public transit - over the next six years, beginning July 1, 2004. The draft program is holding steady compared with the program approved last year, but is subject to change depending on what happens with the state budget.

To facilitate the planning process, state law requires that the draft transportation program be based on the most recent official revenue estimate. Once the General Assembly adopts a budget, the transportation program will be updated to reflect necessary changes.

“This draft is a good working document for the Commonwealth Transportation Board,” said Transportation Secretary Whitt Clement. “I hope, however, that the inability of the House and Senate to resolve their differences won’t further delay the Board in discharging its responsibility to adopt a realistic and credible transportation program based on strong fiscal discipline.”

“In this draft program, the Virginia Department of Transportation will complete some of the state’s biggest projects including the Springfield Interchange improvement project in Northern Virginia, the Pinner’s Point project in Hampton Roads and the Madison Heights Bypass in Lynchburg,” said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet. “We are getting projects finished by managing our business in a focused and disciplined manner.”

“This year's program continues to provide alternative transportation choices in a difficult budget environment,” said Karen Rae, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “For the first time, the Rail Preservation program is included in this draft program."

A public hearing will be held on the draft six-year program on April 6, followed by the CTB’s adoption of the final program on May 20.

Below is a list of some of the new and accelerated projects that could move forward depending on the outcome of the state budget and approval by the CTB.

Northern Virginia
I-95 – Build fourth lane from Newington to Occoquan
I-66 – Build HOV and additional lanes to Gainesville
I-495 – Access to HOV lanes via I-495 (formerly known as phase 8 of the Springfield Interchange improvement project)

Fredericksburg region
Route 17 – Widen in Stafford County

Hampton Roads
Build Intermodal Connector
I-264 – Improve Witchduck Road interchange
Tunnel safety improvements

Richmond and Central Virginia
I-95 – Rebuild bridges in Richmond area
I-64 – Fund preliminary engineering between I-295 and Route 288
Route 360 – Widen in Chesterfield County
Route 3 – Widen in Culpeper and Orange counties

Shenandoah Valley and Salem region
I-81 – Various safety improvements

Southwestern Virginia
Increased funding for Coalfields Expressway
Tunnel safety improvements

Mass Transit
Additional railcars for the Virginia Railway Express and Metrorail

Financial support to more than 47 public transportation programs statewide including 132 buses and vans and the construction of 6 bus facilities

Bridges
Funds will go toward improving substandard bridges across the state.

The draft program, fact sheet and presentations made to the CTB are available on-line at www.VirginiaDOT.org. Later today, an audio recording of the board presentation will be available on VDOT’s Web site as well.

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