LEXINGTON, Va. – The Office of Intermodal Planning and
Investment, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are inviting
members of the public to attend the first meeting of the Interstate 81
(I-81) Advisory Committee on Tuesday, August 13, in Lexington.
As directed in Senate Bill 1716 (now 2019 Acts of Assembly
Chapter 846), the I-81 Advisory Committee is charged with providing advice
and making recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB)
regarding the development of the I-81 Corridor Improvement program and
updates to the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan. The plan was approved by the
CTB in December 2018, following a comprehensive study of the corridor. The
I-81 Advisory Committee must meet four times a year at rotating planning
district locations along the corridor and report to the Governor and
General Assembly each December.
Senate Bill 1716, introduced by Senators Mark Obenshain and
Bill Carrico, and House Bill 2718, introduced by Delegates Steve Landes and
Terry Austin, establish the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program, Fund and
Committee. The legislation also provides revenues for the Fund through the
creation of a new registration fee and diesel, regional and road taxes.
Governor Ralph Northam announced amendments in March, providing dedicated
annual funding to the corridor, estimated initially as $103 million in
fiscal year 2020 and growing to an estimated $163 million in fiscal year
2025. These funds will support a $2 billion improvement program.
The advisory committee meeting will be held Tuesday, August
13, at 2 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, located at 401 E Nelson Street,
Lexington, VA 24450.
The committee has 15 voting members: seven Virginia
lawmakers, three CTB members representing the Bristol, Salem and Staunton
districts and the five chairs of the planning district commissions. VDOT’s
commissioner and DRPT’s director will serve on the committee ex officio in
nonvoting capacities.
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