Local Assistance Division

Access Road Programs

The Access roads programs provide for the construction, improvement, or maintenance of roads serving new or expanding airports, economic development sites, recreational and historic sites.

Contact: Megan Nelson, 804-786-9125

Economic Development Access

The purpose of the Economic Development Access Program is to provide adequate access to qualifying development sites. Adequate access, in consideration of the type and volume of traffic anticipated to be generated by the subject site, may require the construction of a new roadway, improvement of an existing roadway, or both to serve the designated site. The program is administered by VDOT under the authority of § 33.2-1509 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia.

Airport Access

The Airport Access Program assists localities in providing adequate access to licensed, public-use airports. Adequate access, in consideration of the type and volume of traffic to be generated by the subject site, may require the construction of a new roadway, improvement of an existing roadway, or both to serve the designated site. The program is administered by VDOT under the authority of § 33.2-1509 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia. Funding for these projects is provided through VDOT’s Industrial, Airport, and Rail Access Fund and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Airport Access Fund Policy (Oct. 1, 2014)
Airport Access Program Guide (Oct 1, 2014)
Airport Access Program checklist

Recreational Access

The Recreational Access Program assists localities in providing access to public recreational or historic areas owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia or a local government. The program is administered by VDOT under the authority of § 33.2-1510 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia with the concurrence of the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Funding for these projects is provided through VDOT's Recreational Access Fund and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Recreational Access checklist
Recreational Access Guide (Oct. 1, 2014)
Recreational Access Fund Policy (Oct. 1, 2014)

Environmental Requirements

If a state funded construction project is estimated to cost more than $500,000 (in total), VDOT must comply with the State Environmental Review Process (SERP). If VDOT determines that a SERP Preliminary Environmental Inventory (PEI) is required, that documentation will be provided to the Locality. In applying for funding under any of the above Access programs, the Locality is solely responsible for compliance required by any state and/or federal regulations, laws, etc.

Environmental Requirements for Economic Development, Airport and Recreational Access Projects

Revenue Sharing Program

The Virginia Department of Transportation administers this program, in cooperation with participating localities, under the authority of Section 33.2-357, effective Oct. 1, 2014, of the Code of Virginia.

The “Revenue Sharing Program” provides additional funding for use by a county, city, or town to construct or improve the highway systems within such county, city, or town, with statutory limitations on the amount of state funds authorized per locality. Funds can also be requested for eligible additions in certain counties of the Commonwealth. Locality funds are matched with state funds for qualifying projects. An annual allocation of funds for this program is designated by the CTB.

Application for program funding must be made on-line by accessing the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s Smart Portal site for submitting requests for VDOT funding programs electronically. Additional supporting documentation, including a resolution in support of the application for the Revenue Sharing funding by the locality’s governing body and other documentation, as outlined in the Revenue Sharing Guidelines, will be required. Towns not maintaining their own streets must have their requests included in the application of the county in which they are located. Project administration may be accomplished by the Department of Transportation or, by the locality under an agreement with the Department.

General Revenue Sharing Information

PDFs