Local Assistance Division
Programs
Appalachian Regional Commission Local Access Road 
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an independent Federal agency created through the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. The purpose of the ARC Local Access Road Program is to assist in providing adequate access to qualifying establishments in the Appalachian Region to better link the Region’s businesses, communities and residents to the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) and to other key parts of the Region’s transportation network. ARC projects that may be approved are local access roads which serve industrial and commercial areas, residential developments, recreational areas and educational areas. For more information on the ARC Program, go to www.arc.gov.
Virginia has the option of using up to $500,000 plus 5% of its annual ADHS apportionment, but no more than $1 Million each year for eligible local access road projects. An ARC State Alternate is appointed by the Governor to oversee the state’s ARC program and serve as the state level contact. This program is managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and administered by VDOT. The VDOT guide for the ARC Local Access Road Program provides more detailed guidance for this program.
ARC Local Access Road Program Guide
Contact: Peggy Todd - (804)786-7399
Scenic Byways
The Commonwealth's Scenic Byways -- distinctive routes with outstanding archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic value -- comprises about 1,850 miles of roads. The Scenic Byway Program provides funding for projects such as pedestrian and bicycle trails, turnouts and overlooks, interpretive sites, marketing plans and protection of scenic, historical, recreational, cultural or archaeological resources along these roadways.
Contact: Winky Chenault, 804-786-2264
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Transportation Enhancement
The Transportation Enhancement Program fosters more choices for travel by providing funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, and the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors into trails. Many communities also use the program to acquire, restore and preserve scenic or historic sites. The program offers many opportunities to enhance our travel throughout Virginia.
Transportation Enhancement Program Website
Contact: Winky Chenault - 804-786-2264 or Enhancement Program, 1-800-444-7832
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Rural Rustic Roads
The Rural Rustic Road Program is a practical approach to paving Virginia's low-volume roads. It aims to keep traditional rural lane ambience, while improving the road surface within the current right-of-way. Also see, Getting Roads Paved
Rural Rustic Roads Program
Rural Rustic Roads Program resolution 
Rural Rustic Roads Program resolution 
Contact: Julie Brown, 804-786-7314
Urban Program
The Local Assistance Division (LAD) is responsible for statewide urban policy and provides program oversight and guidance for the urban maintenance and construction programs. LAD also coordinates the development of the Urban Six-Year Improvement Program, is responsible for program level administration of the Urban Construction Initiative, and policy regarding local administration of VDOT projects.
There are currently 81 municipalities in the urban system as defined under Sections 33.1-23.3 and 33.1-41.1 of the Code of Virginia. A municipality qualifies for the urban program by satisfying any of the following requirements:
- All cities regardless of population;
- All incorporated towns of more than 3,500 population according to the latest U.S. Census or by evidence of population;
- Six incorporated towns (Chase City, Elkton, Grottoes, Narrows, Pearisburg, and Saltville) which maintained streets under (repealed) Section 33.1-80.
- The towns of Wise, Lebanon, and Altavista pursuant to Section 33.1-23.1.
The Department has assigned Urban Program Managers to serve as the primary liaison with the municipalities in the urban system. The Urban Program Managers are responsible for regular program level coordination with their assigned municipalities. They are responsible for coordinating the Six Year Improvement Program, developing and executing project agreements, and coordination of the urban program with district and residency offices for their assigned areas.
Urban program manager assignments [PDF, 36 KB]
Urban Policy
On Dec. 14, 2006, the Commonwealth Transportation Board adopted a new Urban Maintenance and Construction Program Policy. This action formalized policies relative to the Urban Program, replaced the Urban Manual as the program regulation, and directed the department to promulgate program guidance.
Urban Maintenance Program
The Urban Maintenance Program is based on Section 33.1-41.1 of the Code of Virginia which authorizes the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to make payments to cities and towns in the urban system for maintenance, construction and reconstruction of roads and streets meeting specific criteria and under certain conditions.
Each year, the CTB approves mileage additions and deletions and approves the payments to municipalities in the urban system for maintenance purposes. A copy of the approved mileage and payments is below.
PDFs
Urban municipal mileage and payments [ 55 KB]
VDOT FY10 Equipment Rental Rates [ 88 KB]
FY10 Payment Comparison [608 KB]
The Code requires that municipalities report their maintenance expenditures to VDOT on an annual basis. Prior to modifying the reporting requirements, VDOT worked with a stakeholders group to identify the best method for reporting.
Based on input from our stakeholders and approval by the CTB, this reporting is done on the Weldon Cooper Center Public Finance Survey. The reporting must be based on audited numbers so the survey will be sent out by February each year by the Weldon Cooper Center.
Letter to municipalities [PDF, 68 KB]
FY08 Weldon Cooper Highway Finance Survey [PDF, 22 KB]
The Code also requires that municipalities report on the performance of their systems. Information on the condition of bridges in the Urban System is included on the maintenance section of VDOT’s Dashboard.
Contact: Sharon McGhee at (804) 225-4466.
Urban Construction Program
The Urban Construction Program is based on Section 33.1-23.3 of the Code of Virginia which provides that thirty percent (30%) of the combined federal and state funds available for construction are apportioned to qualifying municipalities based on population.
Detailed guidance for the Urban Construction Program is available in the Urban Manual or from your Urban Program Manager.
Contact: Jennifer DeBruhl at (804) 786-0334.
Resources
- Urban Construction and Maintenance Program Guidance (Urban Manual)
- Urban Construction Initiative Program Administration Guide
- Guide for Local Administration of VDOT Projects
