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IMMEDIATE Laura Southard (804) 786-6458 Laura.Southard@VDOT.Virginia.gov cell (804) 370-8109 |
CO-0775 Sept. 20, 2007 |
FOREST AND PARK PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD WITH FEDERAL FUNDING
VDOT will transfer funds earmarked for seven popular projects
RICHMOND – Jefferson National Forest, Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail are recipients of more than $3.8 million in federal transportation funds allocated to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for seven special projects.
Those funds will be transferred to the agencies that oversee national forests and parks following action taken by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Thursday, Sept. 20.
“Non-traditional projects often are included as earmarks in transportation funding that states receive from Congress,” said Pierce Homer, Virginia’s secretary of transportation and chairman of the CTB. “The earmarked funds will be transferred so that planning and construction of these very popular projects can move forward.”
The CTB’s action, in the form of a resolution, authorizes the transfer of federal earmark allocations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and to the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service.
In order to secure the federal funds, a 20 percent non-federal match must be provided.
Virginia’s match is from new statewide funding for the commonwealth’s transportation needs provided in House Bill 3202, Chapter 896 of the 2007 Acts of Assembly for the purpose of matching federal funds.
The seven projects are:
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Those funds will be transferred to the agencies that oversee national forests and parks following action taken by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Thursday, Sept. 20.
“Non-traditional projects often are included as earmarks in transportation funding that states receive from Congress,” said Pierce Homer, Virginia’s secretary of transportation and chairman of the CTB. “The earmarked funds will be transferred so that planning and construction of these very popular projects can move forward.”
The CTB’s action, in the form of a resolution, authorizes the transfer of federal earmark allocations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and to the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service.
In order to secure the federal funds, a 20 percent non-federal match must be provided.
Virginia’s match is from new statewide funding for the commonwealth’s transportation needs provided in House Bill 3202, Chapter 896 of the 2007 Acts of Assembly for the purpose of matching federal funds.
The seven projects are:
- Wise County, High Knob Horse Trails – construction of horse riding trails and associated facilities in High Knob area of Jefferson National Forest, $519,960
- Washington County, Green Cove Station – improvements to existing Forest Service facility located at trailhead of Virginia Creeper Trail, Jefferson National Forest, $69,328
- Washington County, Whitetop Station – completion of renovation of Whitetop Station, which serves as trailhead facility, and construction of trail, Jefferson National Forest, $69,328
- Patrick County, Rocky Knob Heritage Center – planning, design, site acquisition and construction for trail system and visitors’ center on Blue Ridge Parkway, $1,039,920
- Galax, Blue Ridge Music Center – install lighting/steps, upgrade existing trail system, equip interpretative center with visitor information, $1,039,920
- Giles County, Glen Alton – design and construction of recreation trails, access and visitor information center, Jefferson National Forest, $693,280
- Greene County, Appalachian Trail – High Top Mountain land acquisition, $433,202
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Page last modified: Sept. 20, 2007
