Pilot program gives regional planning organizations chance to address needs

RICHMOND - A new bike plan, a needs assessment for people with disabilities, and a plan for improving transit accessibility are among the projects awarded grants through a new pilot program funded by the 2004 General Assembly. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is administering the program and has awarded more than $1.4 million in transportation planning grants for 15 such projects.

VDOT received 33 applications requesting $5.2 million in estimated needs from Planning District Commissions and Metropolitan Planning Organizations throughout the state. They were invited to apply for up to $500,000 in transportation planning grants.

Unlike most transportation planning funds that are primarily federal and come with regulatory compliance and matching requirements, these state funds give regional planning organizations the flexibility to address special transportation needs, alternative modes of travel, the land use and transportation connection, and prioritization of regional transportation needs - all with an objective of implementation.

According to Jeff Southard, VDOT chief of policy, planning and the environment, the pilot grant program is part of a special $4 million appropriation aimed at strengthening transportation planning. Of the remaining funds, $2.1 million will be used for rural rail and transit initiatives and the Acca Railroad Yard study in Richmond and $300,000 for the Charlottesville/Albemarle MPO Route 29 north corridor study, including land use and access management planning.

A list of the organizations awarded grants follows. For more information, visit VDOT's Web site at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/planningGrantProgram.asp or contact Project Coordinator Brian King in VDOT's Transportation and Mobility Planning Division at 804 786-3092.

The following organizations were awarded grants:

Accomack Northampton Planning District Commission - Eastern Shore Alternative Transportation Mode Study for Elderly, Low Income, Youth ($30,000)

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission - Lew Dewitt Boulevard Access Management Study ($16,500)

Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization - Route 33 East Access Management Study ($44,000)

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission - Improving

Elderly and Handicapped Mobility ($150,000)

New River Valley Planning District Commission - New River and Roanoke Valley Public Mobility Program ($100,849)

New River Valley Planning District Commission -

Village Transportation Links Plan ($72,000)

Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission -

Winchester Frederick Metropolitan Planning Organization Bike Plan ($80,000)

Northern Virginia Regional Commission - Alternative Transportation and Land Use Activity Strategies Study/Program Phase 2 ($155,000)

Northern Virginia Regional Commission - Multi-modal Level of Service Analysis for TransAction 2030 ($40,000)

Northern Virginia Regional Commission - Alexandria

Mobility Needs Assessment of Persons with Disabilities, Pedestrian and Bike ($120,000)

Northern Virginia Regional Commission - Meeting Transportation Needs of Northern Virginia Seniors (Phase 2) ($150,000)

Rappahannock Area Development Commission - Interstate 95 Prioritization Study ($75,000)

Region 2000 Regional Commission - Development of a Regional Action Plan for Coordinated Land Use and Transportation Planning ($200,000)

Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission - Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan Updates ($71,000)

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission - Linking Transportation and Growth in the Northwest Fluvanna and Southwest Louisa Corridors ($120,000)

Page last modified: May 18, 2005