| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458 Tamara.Neale@VDOT.Virginia.gov Jennifer Pickett DRPT (804) 786-7432 |
CO-0619 April 20, 2006 |
WORKING DRAFT OF SIX-YEAR PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
Draft shows smaller transportation program
RICHMOND, April 20, 2006 - The working draft of the Six-Year Improvement Program for FY 2007-2012 is available for public review at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
The program allocates funding to rail, public transportation, commuter service, bicycle, pedestrian and road construction projects over six years.
The draft six-year program is based on the official revenue forecast from the Department of Taxation as required by the Code of Virginia. That forecast shows declining growth in the key funding sources that drive the transportation program – the state gas tax and transportation user fees. The program is reduced further by higher asphalt, concrete, steel, aggregate and fuel costs, as well as rising maintenance needs.
“By law, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has the responsibility to hold public hearings this spring and adopt a final program based on the official revenue forecast by July 1,” said Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer. “As a result, Virginia’s transportation program will be smaller, especially transit capital reimbursements and primary, secondary and urban road improvements.”
Based on the official revenue forecast and consistent with state law and CTB policy goals, the draft program shows the following reductions in construction funding:
Primaries (i.e. major roadways that are not interstates) - 20 percent reduction or $40 million a year
Secondaries (i.e. subdivision and rural roads) - 38 percent reduction or $67 million a year
Urban streets (i.e. streets within town and cities) - 41 percent reduction or $53 million a year
State money provided to transit capital projects will remain relatively flat in a time when alternate transportation modes are increasingly more important to Virginians. The portion of state funds used to match federal dollars for transit projects will drop to 21 percent, the lowest in the program’s history. This reduction will shift more of the burden to localities, with their transit operating costs expected to increase by 26 percent.
The CTB will hold three public hearings on the draft program in late April and early May. Public comments will be taken into consideration prior to the board approving the final program by July 1.
The program allocates funding to rail, public transportation, commuter service, bicycle, pedestrian and road construction projects over six years.
The draft six-year program is based on the official revenue forecast from the Department of Taxation as required by the Code of Virginia. That forecast shows declining growth in the key funding sources that drive the transportation program – the state gas tax and transportation user fees. The program is reduced further by higher asphalt, concrete, steel, aggregate and fuel costs, as well as rising maintenance needs.
“By law, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has the responsibility to hold public hearings this spring and adopt a final program based on the official revenue forecast by July 1,” said Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer. “As a result, Virginia’s transportation program will be smaller, especially transit capital reimbursements and primary, secondary and urban road improvements.”
Based on the official revenue forecast and consistent with state law and CTB policy goals, the draft program shows the following reductions in construction funding:
State money provided to transit capital projects will remain relatively flat in a time when alternate transportation modes are increasingly more important to Virginians. The portion of state funds used to match federal dollars for transit projects will drop to 21 percent, the lowest in the program’s history. This reduction will shift more of the burden to localities, with their transit operating costs expected to increase by 26 percent.
The CTB will hold three public hearings on the draft program in late April and early May. Public comments will be taken into consideration prior to the board approving the final program by July 1.
Page last modified: April 18, 2007
