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I-81 INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA

I-81 INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA. Fred Altizer, Jr., P.E. Assistant to the Chief Engineer I-81 Program Manager. I-81 Initiatives. Current Conditions Corridor Improvement Study Tolling I-81 PPTA. Current Conditions. 325 miles – 90 interchanges Rolling and mountainous terrain

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I-81 INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA

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  1. I-81 INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA Fred Altizer, Jr., P.E. Assistant to the Chief Engineer I-81 Program Manager

  2. I-81 Initiatives • Current Conditions • Corridor Improvement Study • Tolling I-81 • PPTA

  3. Current Conditions • 325 miles – 90 interchanges • Rolling and mountainous terrain • Traffic increased from 25,000 vpd in 1990 to 57,000 (near Roanoke) in 2003

  4. The terrain of I-81 from Tennessee to West Virginia

  5. Current Conditions • Designed for 15% trucks; now 20%-40% • One of top eight truck routes in the U.S.

  6. Current Conditions • Diversity on I-81 • commercial • commuters • students • 29 colleges and universities • recreational

  7. Current Conditions • Ongoing improvements • Some construction • Safety enhancements • ITS technology

  8. I-81 Initiatives • Current Conditions • Corridor Improvement Study • Tolling I-81 • PPTA

  9. Corridor Improvement Study • NEPA • Launched study in January 2004 in partnership with FHWA • Includes highway and rail concepts

  10. Corridor Improvement StudyNEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)

  11. Corridor Improvement Study • Tiered EIS process • Tier 1: corridor-wide issues • Tier 2: site-specific issues

  12. Corridor Improvement Study • Tier 1 decisions • Concepts for highway and rail • Number of lanes • Partial or complete separation of trucks and cars • Defined segments • Additional rail capacity • Approval to advance I-81 as a toll pilot

  13. Corridor Improvement Study Tier 1 Schedule: • Draft Tier 1 EIS – spring 2005 • Public hearings – spring 2005 • CTB action – mid-2005 • Final Tier 1 EIS – summer 2005 • Tier 1 ROD – summer 2005

  14. Land Use Parklands Farmlands Hazardous Materials Air Quality Noise Historical, Archaeological and Cultural Resources Natural Resources Including: Wetlands Threatened and Endangered Species Water Quality Visual Effects Corridor Improvement Study Typical Analyses in Tier 2:

  15. I-81 Initiatives • Current Conditions • Corridor Improvement Study • Tolling I-81 • PPTA

  16. Tolling I-81 • VDOT is applying for tolling, in the event the CTB and FHWA approve major improvements

  17. Tolling I-81 • March 5, 2003 – VDOT submitted application to FHWA under Section 1216(b) of TEA-21 • Requested approval for I-81 to participate in the Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program • 3 slots available nationwide

  18. Tolling I-81 • March 27, 2003 - FHWA granted “conditional provisional acceptance” of application • October 2003 - FHWA and VDOT began working on actions needed for “provisional” approval • Provisional approval expected in 2005, at end of Tier 1 of current environmental study

  19. MPO Consultation Pilot Study Work Plan NEPA Process, Tier 1 Environmental ScopingAnalysis Basic Financial Plan Project Management Plan Public Involvement Plan Agreement(s) between FHWAand VDOT Tolling I-81Actions Needed Prior to Final Approval

  20. I-81 Tolling Issues • Virginia law allows tolls only on trucks • TEA-21 allows states to decide who and how much to toll • FHWA says toll revenue from I-81 cannot be used to enhance rail capacity

  21. I-81 Initiatives • Current Conditions • Corridor Improvement Study • Tolling I-81 • PPTA

  22. PPTAPublic Private Transportation Act of 1995 • Under PPTA, a Virginia purchasing law, VDOT solicited proposals to design, build, maintain and/or operate all or parts of I-81 • March 5, 2004 - Commissioner directed VDOT to begin negotiations with STAR • I-81 Corridor Improvement Study will help determine what can be built

  23. PPTA • Negotiating a comprehensive agreement • NEPA provides the basis for the decision-makers

  24. ?www.I-81.org Thank you.

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