January 2018: Information on the State of Good Repair (SGR) Program and an Excel spreadsheet of eligible primary extension routes and bridges at: http://vastateofgoodrepair.org

New iconMay 2018: The CTB approved the FY19 Primary Extension/State of Good Repair local paving projects at their May 2018 meeting.  Funding for the FY19 projects will be available July 1st.

The FY19 projects funded with both primary extension and State of Good Repair funds can be found at the link below:

FY19 Primary Extension / State of Good Repair

Primary Extension Paving Funds / SGR - Pavements

Based on a legislative change effective July 1, 2014, Section 33.2-358 provides that primary extensions maintained by municipalities can receive a portion of the reconstruction and paving allocations previously only distributed to interstate and primary roads with a combined condition index of less than 60.  

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) established two new programs to distribute funding available through Section 33.2-358, also referred to as the CTB formula funds.

Nov. 8, 2017, Webinar

We had technical difficulties and some of the audio from the initial high level overview was not recorded. However, all of the pertinent information regarding the paving and bridge submittal processes was included.

An application process was initiated to allow municipalities to apply for this funding for qualifying projects.  Beginning with Fiscal Year 2019, applications were submitted through the Smart Portal. Key information on what qualifies and how to apply is below.   

An application process was initiated to allow municipalities to apply for this funding for qualifying projects.  

Key information on what qualifies and how to apply is below.  

In keeping with the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) increased emphasis on the maintenance and operation of the National Highway System, VDOT continues to include additional points for segments on the system in the scoring and prioritization process.

Again this year, the primary extension applications submitted for paving projects were scored for funding with both CTB formula funds and SGR funds.

PDFs

SGR – Locally Owned Bridges

The General Assembly authorized the SGR program during the 2015 session by passing House Bill 1887 (Chapter 684), which was later incorporated into the Code of Virginia (§ 33.2-369).

Section § 33.2-369 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the CTB to use funds allocated in Sections § 33.2-358 and § 58.1-1741 to SGR purposes for reconstruction and replacement of structurally deficient state and locally owned bridges.

The SGR program was planned to begin in Fiscal Year 2021.  

However, based on a more positive revenue outlook, VDOT began using funding through the SGR program beginning in Fiscal Year 2017.

Bridges must be part of the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and SD in order to receive SGR funds. The terms “NBI” and “SD” have been defined by the FHWA.

Note certain culverts are classified by FHWA as “NBI bridges”. Generally, those are greater than or equal to 20 feet long, including culverts that are 20 feet or greater from ends of clear openings.

Accordingly, any bridge or culvert that meets the criteria for an NBI bridge (whether that structure is a culvert or bridge) is referred to as a bridge in this document.

Table 1: SGR Requirements

Description

Pavement

Bridge

Purpose

Reconstruction / rehabilitation (deteriorated)

Reconstruction / replacement (Structurally Deficient)

System

Interstate / primary/ primary extensions

All systems (VDOT and locally maintained)

Priority consideration

 

Number, condition, costs

Distribution

All nine construction districts - based on needs minimum 5.5 percent and maximum 17.5 percent per year

Waivers

Key project - extraordinary circumstances only - cap can be waived

20 percent taken off the top for secondary pavements

(if VDOT secondary target not met)

N/A

House Bill 1887 (Chapter 684) Enactment 2 required that the CTB approve a prioritization ranking process by July 1, 2016 for structurally deficient bridges and deteriorated pavements.

The SGR Program prioritization process methodology was approved by the CTB in June 2016 as outlined in “Resolution of the CTB Approved Process Methodology and FY2017 State of Good Repair Percentage Fund Distribution”.

The SGR program is required by legislation to be transparent and based on objectively obtained data.

The SGR program is intended to fund bridge work that provides long-term solutions exceeding routine maintenance, but it should not be viewed solely as a bridge replacement program.

The scope of bridge work paid for under the SGR program should be adjusted appropriately to meet the needs of each particular bridge, with consideration for the overall limitations on funds available to address the bridge inventory.  

In general, project scopes should be established to rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace deficient elements in the most practical and cost-effective manner and must also include measures (materials, technologies or details) to mitigate future deterioration.

Bridge replacement projects are generally expected to be “in-kind” replacements.

SGR funds are not intended to pay for increases of traffic capacity of a bridge or roadway.

Details can be found in the link below, Structure and Bridge Instructional and Informational Memorandum 95.

Background Information

For questions about the bridge prioritization formula or VDOT’s Structure and Bridge Division, Adam Matteo, P.E., at Adam.Matteo@VDOT.Virginia.gov or Todd Springer, P.E., at Todd.Springer@VDOT.Virginia.gov

High Volume Unpaved Road Funds

§33.2-358 of the Code of Virginia authorizes setting aside of unpaved road funds for providing a hard surface to unpaved roads with traffic volumes of more than 50 vehicles per day. 

In June 2014, the CTB began to set aside a portion of these funds to address high volume unpaved roads, which are defined as unpaved roads with a traffic count greater than 500 vehicles per day. 

Allocations are awarded annually by the CTB, based on applications submitted by counties. The maximum a locality may request each year for paving roads under this Program is $500,000 and included in the CTB’s revision of its Policy on March 21, 2018. 

Information about the application process, qualifying routes and previous allocations:

 

Page last modified: June 21, 2018