Primary Extensions/ State of Good Repair (SGR)

Call For Applications – FY20

Notice: Again this year, localities should use the Smart Portal for submitting all paving applications and bridge notification forms for the State of Good Repair (SGR) and primary extension programs at the following link:  https://smartportal.virginiahb2.org/

Contact SmartPortal@CTB.Virginia.gov or your local VDOT contact to obtain log in credentials or with any questions/concerns with the smart portal system.

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 CTB approved an application process to allow municipalities to apply for this funding for qualifying projects.  If you are interested in applying for these funds, key information on what qualifies and how to apply is below.  In keeping with FHWA’s emphasis on the maintenance and operations of the National Highway System (NHS), VDOT continues to include additional points for segments on the NHS in the scoring and prioritization process.  Again this year the primary extension applications submitted for paving projects will be scored for funding with both CTB formula funds and State of Good Repair (SGR) funds.  If you are interested in applying for these funds, key information about what qualifies and how to apply is below.

Applications should be submitted using VDOT’s Smart Portal System at the following link:  https://smartportal.virginiahb2.org/

Nov. 8, 2017, Webinar (How to Use VDOT’s SMART Portal)

Note: 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.

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

If you have questions about a specific bridge, you are encouraged to contact your VDOT District Locality Liaison or District Structure and Bridge Engineer at the following:

For questions about the bridge prioritization formula or VDOT’s Structure and Bridge Division, contact 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:

For questions about the High Volume Unpaged Road Program, contact Michele Piccolomini (804-786-9125).

 

Page last modified: Nov. 15, 2018