Virginia DRPT News

Registration for the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) 2010 Annual Conference, which will be held June 10 and 11 in Richmond, Va., is now open. The agenda for the conference is still being set; however, the conference offers a time for industry professionals to come together to see what’s new in transit and discuss hot topics in transportation.

With college and university spring breaks just around the corner, now is a great time to book a trip on Amtrak Virginia’s Northeast Regional service to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, or Boston, and let someone else do the driving.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will hold its 35th annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., March 14 – 16. Topics of discussion include the latest in the Washington political scene, the insider perspective on the transit industry and what’s ahead for transit. The conference also reserves a time for attendees to make appointments with their Congressional representatives.

DRPT recently announced that the National Capital Region was awarded more than $58 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds for regional rapid transit improvements, $30.4 million of which will be spent in Virginia. Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. worked in partnership to submit the application, which included more than $204 million in projects.

The Community Transportation Association of Virginia will host the 2010 Paratransit Driving Roadeo on April 10 in Chesterfield, Va. The roadeo gives paratransit drivers the opportunity to test their driving skills and interact with other industry professionals. Winners will have the chance to represent Virginia at the 2010 National Roadeo in California in May.

To make the site more intuitive and user friendly, DRPT recently launched a new navigational structure for their Web site, www.drpt.virginia.gov. The new structure organizes information by the three main areas of DRPT activity – rail, transit and commuter services.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) recently selected Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project. The decision was based on the results of a Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in addition to the public comments received. Next steps include submitting a Final EIS for federal review and applying for federal funding to advance the project.

Don’t forget that the Broad St. Rapid Transit Study team will hold meetings next week to introduce the public to the study, explain the study process and introduce conceptual alternatives to be evaluated. Meetings will take place February 24 and 25 in Richmond and Henrico County.

The February issue of Connection, DRPT’s quarterly newsletter, is available online. This quarter’s issue provides highlights on key projects such as the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project and the Broad St. Rapid Transit Study, as well as updates on local and regional transit studies and transportation funding.

Virginia was recently awarded $75 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to support rail improvements in the Richmond-Washington, D.C., corridor. The funds will be used to construct 11.4 miles of third track in Prince William County and Stafford, which will alleviate a major rail traffic bottleneck and create 281 jobs.

On January 18, the Burke Centre station, a stop along Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service from Lynchburg to the Northeast Corridor, became an Amtrak stop. Previously the station only provided connecting service for Virginia Railway Express passengers. Passengers may now book travel to and from Burke Centre on Amtrak.com.

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell recently named Thelma Drake as Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Mrs. Drake has served on transportation committees in both the United States House of Representatives and the Virginia House of Delegates.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has launched a new Web site that brings together various resources to provide information on the importance of high speed rail and to help advance the vision of high- speed rail in the United States.

The draft report of Virginia’s Interstate 81 Freight Rail Study was recently issued for public comment by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The study outlines a strategic approach to maximizing the capacity of freight rail in the corridor and diverting more trucks from highways. The public comment period for the study will remain open until February 10, 2010.

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and FRA Deputy Administrator Karen Rae will be the keynote speakers at the regional high speed rail seminars hosted by the American Public Transportation Association and the International Union of Railways in February. The seminars will provide leaders with information regarding the implementation of high speed rail in the U.S.

For a limited time, the National Geographic Museum is hosting an exhibit highlighting treasures from China’s first emperor’s tomb, and Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service can take you there. If you book now through March 17, you can take advantage of a 25 percent discount on the lowest published coach fare. To book your trip, visit Amtrak Virginia’s Web site.

The Virginia General Assembly will convene its 2010 regular session on January 13, 2010. The session is scheduled to conclude on March 13, 2010, and the public can track bills introduced at the Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System Web site.

The rescheduled Rail Advisory Board meeting, which will take place February 25, will be held at the Department of Motor Vehicles Headquarters located at 2300 West Broad St. Richmond, VA.

Public hearings for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project will be held next week to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project. Hearings will be held January 26, 27 and 28 in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. Comments may be provided at any time during the public comment period, which ends February 11, 2010.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) recently approved a revised Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for fiscal years 2010 – 2015 that addresses a $893.5 million reduction in transportation revenues.