RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458

CO-037 July 16, 2003

VDOT Recommends Moving Forward on “Hot Lane” PPTA Proposal

Transportation board to vote on recommendation tomorrow

(Richmond) Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet recommended to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) today that it advance the Capital Beltway HOT lane proposal for Northern Virginia to the next stage of review under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA). HOT lanes stand for high occupancy toll lanes.

The CTB will vote on the commissioner’s recommendation tomorrow morning during its monthly board meeting in Richmond.

The PPTA allows for VDOT to partner with the private sector to build roads quicker and with less public money. However, no improvements can be made to the Capital Beltway unless they are part of an approved environmental impact statement, which will involve public input on HOT lane concepts.

The construction firm, Fluor Daniel, proposes to build HOT lanes within a 12-mile segment of the Capital Beltway in Northern Virginia. The HOT lanes, two in each direction, would extend from near the Springfield Interchange to north of the Dulles Toll Road. According to the conceptual proposal, HOT lanes would be free to carpoolers, buses and emergency vehicles; cars carrying only one or two people would pay a variable toll to use the lanes. Large trucks would not be allowed to use HOT lanes.

“HOT lanes merit detailed evaluation,” said Shucet. “Moving ahead with this conceptual proposal is a step toward reducing congestion in the Capital Beltway.”

Remaining schedule:

· August 2003 - VDOT requests a detailed proposal from Fluor Daniel. The purpose of this document is for the proposer to back-up general plans in the conceptual proposal with further detail.
· October 2003 - Fluor Daniel’s deadline to submit its detailed proposal to VDOT and affected local jurisdictions. Localities have 60 days to provide public input.
· Jan. 2004 - The PPTA advisory panel, including representation from the Commonwealth Transportation Board, completes its review of the detailed proposal and makes a recommendation to the commissioner on whether to enter into negotiations.
· Feb. 2004 - If process continues, negotiations begin.

The commissioner makes the final decision on whether to enter into a comprehensive agreement with Fluor Daniel or reject the final proposal.

While the PPTA process serves as an innovative contracting tool, the federally mandated environmental review process - which includes public involvement - will determine the ultimate future of the Capital Beltway. VDOT plans to evaluate HOT lane concepts in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The public will have an opportunity to provide input on the HOT lane options. The FEIS is scheduled for completion in December 2004. The Federal Highway Administration has to give final approval before any construction can begin.

Fact sheet attached.
Power Point Presentation