Framework for the Future 2030

Implementation

Public Involvement

The City holds public hearings before any transportation plan's adoption or amendment. The Virginia Department of Transportation conducts public hearings prior to design approval of a project,. A common complaint from citizens is that they were not adequately notified of new or widening road projects. Because of the lengthy time period between road planning, design and construction, which can take 20 years or more, citizens in the vicinity of a street improvement often oppose the improvement when construction is imminent. Clearly, a better way is needed in the public participation process and citizens' awareness of street improvements planned for the future.

Need for Increased Funding

The 2026 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) stated that existing funding sources would decline and greatly reduce the transportation projects that could be built in Hampton Roads. The HRPDC predicts that without additional funding, the Hampton Roads transportation system will have congestion levels similar to Northern Virginia conditions, and that all major bridge tunnels will operate below 10 mph during peak periods. To counter this, the Virginia General Assembly created the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority and authorized the authority to establish fees and tolls to address the Region’s transportation needs.

Hampton Roads Transportation Authority

The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) was created in 2007 by legislation approved by the Virginia General Assembly. Ten of twelve jurisdictions representing more than 51% of the region’s population voted to establish the authority. Six high priority projects in the adopted Regional Transportation Plan were identified for funding by the legislation creating the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority.  These projects were to be funded from revenues raised by the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority and through various fees, and tolls.  The projects were:

• The Third Crossing of Hampton Roads,
• I-64 widening on the Peninsula,
• I-64 widening and High Rise Bridge in Southside Hampton Roads,
• Southeastern Parkway/Dominion Boulevard,
• US Route 460,
• Mid-town Tunnel/MLK Expressway Extension.

The expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel will be evaluated by VDOT as a possible seventh regional project.

In 2008, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the Hampton Roads Transit Authority did not have the authority to levy fees and taxes because it was not an elected body and was dissolved by the Virginia General Assembly. Congestion in Hampton Roads will continue to be a problem with the lack of funding for new transportation projects.

Rail Enhancement Fund

The Rail Enhancement Fund, created in 2005, provides annual funding dedicated for passenger and freight rail improvements in Virginia.  Matching funds of 30 percent are required from railroads, local governments and regional authorities.  Projects are selected by the Commonwealth Transportation Board based upon recommendations of the Rail Advisory Board.

SAFETEA-LU

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) – is the 2005 law that reauthorized the federal surface transportation programs through 2009.  SAFETEA-LU provides funding for interstate maintenance, the National Highway System, the Surface Transportation Program, bridge and bridge maintenance, congestion mitigation and air quality, and added the Highway Safety Improvement Program. 

Tolling & Value Pricing

Value priced tolling is a way to manage congestion and finance transportation. Value pricing tolls drivers that use selected tunnels or express lanes during peak travel hours. This strategy encourages drivers to find alternative routes or travel times and also addresses the added cost of congestion and raises funds for transportation improvements. Electronic “cashless” tolling, like the EZ Pass system in Northern Virginia, reduces the impact of tolls on the flow of traffic. The Virginia Department of Transportation will initiate a value pricing pilot program on the Downtown & Midtown Tunnels in Norfolk and Portsmouth. Similar pilot programs have been considered on I-64 and the Peninsula. The revenues from value pricing could be managed locally and used for long term transportation projects.

Public-Private Partnerships

Traditionally, major transportation projects have been funded with significant federal and state participation.  In a time when budgets are constrained, and state and federal funding is limited, Newport News must look at alternative means for meeting service demands and infrastructure needs.

In 1995, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation called the “Public Private Transportation Act” (Code of Virginia Section 56-556).  This legislation allows any responsible public entity to establish guidelines and procedures, consistent with the Act, to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP).  The intent is to combine the speed and flexibility of the private process with the public necessity view of government to improve the process for implementing transportation projects.