By: Keith Nichols
Senior Transportation Engineer

With water being such a prominent part of the Hampton Roads landscape, bridges are a critical part of the regional transportation system.  There are over 1,200 bridges in Hampton Roads, ranging from small culverts to some of the longest bridges in the world. 

Of these 1,214 bridges in Hampton Roads, 77 are classified as structurally deficient.  Structurally deficient bridges are structures with elements that need to be monitored and/or repaired, and eventually need to be rehabilitated or replaced.  It should be noted, however, that structurally deficient bridges are not necessarily unsafe, and bridge inspectors will close or place weight limits on any bridge that is unsafe.

Examples of prominent structurally deficient bridges in Hampton Roads include the Gilmerton Bridge, Lesner Bridge, Denbigh Boulevard Bridge over I-64 in Newport News, Churchland Bridge, and a segment of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

In addition, another 271 bridges in Hampton Roads are classified as functionally obsolete.  Functionally obsolete bridges are structures that were built to standards that are no longer used today, and have narrow lanes, low vertical clearances, difficult approaches, or may occasionally be flooded.

VDOT has made improving bridges a priority, both in Hampton Roads and throughout the Commonwealth.  A total of 27 bridge projects in Hampton Roads are included in the current Six-Year Improvement Program, with a total of $339 million in allocations.  Many structurally deficient bridge projects are funded, including the Gilmerton Bridge, Lesner Bridge, and Denbigh Boulevard Bridge over I-64.

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization completed a thorough study of bridges in 2008.  This study is available at the HRTPO website at http://hrtpo.org/Documents/Reports/2008/RegionalBridgeStudyFinalReport.pdf.

Structurally Deficient and Functionally Obsolete Bridges in Hampton Roads

By: Stephanie Shealey, Transportation Engineer

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is one of the most important documents produced by the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), as it lists all of the projects receiving funding in the next few fiscal years. The HRTPO has made it a priority to help ensure that transportation funds are used as efficiently and effectively as possible in Hampton Roads. To improve its capabilities for monitoring the status of projects, the HRTPO staff introduced a new format in the recently approved HRTPO FY 2012-2015 TIP. In addition to improving the transparency of the TIP by providing enhanced project description information and a location map, the new format includes funding allocation information as well as cost estimates, schedules, obligations, and expenditures by project phase.

To further enhance the transparency and user-friendliness of the new TIP, the HRTPO has developed a web-based application for accessing the TIP: www.hrtpotip.org. In addition to providing access to the up-to-date TIP document, an Interactive Project Map service provides easy access to project information based on project location.  The user has several options for obtaining project information.  In addition to searching the TIP document, the user may navigate the interactive map and click on a project to obtain information about the project.  In addition, the user may enter the project’s Universal Project Code (UPC) number, a unique project identification number, directly into UPC Search Engine to  go straight to the Project Summary Sheet  containing  the full project-relevant information available in the TIP.

By Mike Kimbrel, Principal Transportation Engineer

September 7, 2011

The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 9:34 a.m.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Oral comments - Limit 3 minutes per individual)
There were no speakers.

3. SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS (Written comments included in agenda packet)
The chair noted submitted public comments received.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Gey moved to approve the agenda with no changes. Mr. Shea seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.

5. MINUTES
Ms. Ham moved to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Yorks seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.

6. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REVISION: REQUEST
TO TRANSFER CMAQ FUNDS – YORK COUNTY
Mr. Cross briefly described the request and moved approval of the CMAQ funds transfer and
associated TIP Amendment. Mr. Slaughter seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

7. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT:
COORDINATED PLAN PROJECTS
Mr. Paulus briefly explained the process by which the Coordinated Plan projects were
selected. Ms. Waterman moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Danker seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.

8. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REVISION: REQUEST
TO TRANSFER CMAQ FUNDS – JAMES CITY COUNTY
Mr. Murphy briefly described the request and moved approval of the CMAQ funds transfer and
associated TIP Amendment. Mr. Nester seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

9. FY 2012-2015 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: HRTPO
Mr. Kimbrel briefed described the request to add projects that had been inadvertently omitted
from the FY 2012-2015 TIP. Mr. Gey moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. King
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

10. FY 2012 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM AMENDMENT
Ms. Ravanbakht briefly described the request. Mr. Allsbrook moved approval of the UPWP
Amendment. Mr. Shea seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

11. MILITARY TRANSPORTATION NEEDS STUDY – HIGHWAY NETWORK ANALYSIS:FINAL REPORT
Ms. Ravanbakht noted that the TTAC received a presentation on the draft report during its
July 2011 meeting and that the final report was ready for approval. Mr. Slaughter moved
approval of the final report. Mr. Pullen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

12. TRAFFIC IMPACT OF A HYPOTHETICAL INLAND PORT IN HAMPTON ROADS: FINAL REPORT
Ms. Ravanbakht noted that the TTAC received a presentation on the draft report during its
July 2011 meeting and that the final report was ready for approval. Mr. Allsbrook moved
approval of the final report. Mr. Shea seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

13. 2011 CMAQ/RSTP PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS: STATUS REPORT
Mr. Kimbrel briefed the TTAC on this item, noting that four Newport News CMAQ applications
were received the day after the August 17, 2011 deadline and that two Suffolk RSTP
applications were received on September 1, 2011. Mr. Kimbrel stated that HRTPO staff did
not see this to be a significant problem, but that it was being reported in the interest of full
disclosure and suggested that the TTAC take a position on whether the late applications
should be included in the 2011 CMAQ/RSTP Project Selection Process. Mr. King moved to
approve the inclusion of the six applications in the 2011 CMAQ/RSTP Project Selection
Process. Mr. Pullen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

14. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMMING SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Kimbrel briefed the TTAC on this item, explaining each of the recommendations of the
TPS with regard to funds transfers and allocations. Mr. Lewis moved approval of all of the
TPS recommendations. Mr. Shea seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

15. AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY ANALYSIS – 2034 LRTP AND FY 2012-2015 TIP: DRAFT REPORT
Mr. Voigt briefed the TTAC on this item. Mr. Ponticello moved approval of the Air Quality
Conformity Analysis. Mr. Stringfield seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

16. TIGER III SUBMITTALS
Mr. Kimbrel noted that there were three TIGER proposals for which the applicant localities
had requested endorsement from the HRTPO Board. There was a discussion on whether the
proposals should be prioritized prior to consideration by the HRTPO Board. Mr. King moved
to have the HRTPO staff rank the projects based on the category in which each project falls in
the HRTPO Prioritization Tool and have that information provided for consideration by the
HRTPO Board during its September 15, 2011 meeting. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.

17. DISCUSSION ON TTAC OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP
Mr. Allsbrook stated that the Nominating Subcommittee had nominated Mr. Earl Sorey for
the office of TTAC Chair and Mr. Michael King for the office of TTAC Vice-Chair for the
upcoming year (October 2011 – September 2012). There was a brief discussion regarding a
submitted public comment that included recommendations on changes to the TTAC officers
and membership. Mr. Allsbrook moved to elect Mr. Sorey to the position of Chair and Mr. King
to the position of Vice-Chair for the upcoming year. Mr. Hartman seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.

18. TTAC ACTION ITEMS: THREE-MONTH TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
This item was provided for informational purposes and the TTAC took no action.

19. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
This item was for informational purposes and the TTAC took no action.

20. OLD/NEW BUSINESS
There was no Old/New Business.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

By Jessica M. Banks
Senior Transportation Analyst

The HRTPO Board approved a new Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years (FY) 2012-2015 at their June 16th meeting.  The TIP is a multi-year program for the implementation of surface transportation projects within the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area (MPA). The TIP contains all federally-funded and/or regionally significant projects that require an action by the Federal Highway Administration or the Federal Transit Administration. Before any federally funded and/or regionally significant surface transportation project can be built in the MPA, it must be included in the current TIP that has been approved by the HRTPO.

The FY 2012-2015 TIP represents an overhaul of the document to significantly improve access to project information including funding allocations, scheduled obligations, and expenditures, as well as accompanying maps identifying project locations.  The new format will improve transparency of the TIP and enhance the capability of HRTPO staff to monitor the status of projects in Hampton Roads. 

Public participation was encouraged  throughout the development of the FY 2012-2015 TIP.  The draft project list for the TIP was made available for public review and comment from February 23, 2011 through March 9, 2011.  The draft TIP document was made available for public review from April 27, 2011 through May 16, 2011.  A special outreach strategy placed the draft TIP document and an associated poster in 56 public libraries throughout Hampton Roads.  The draft TIP document was presented to the HRTPO Board and its advisory committees, including the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee and the Technical Transportation Advisory Committee.

To view the HRTPO FY 2012-2015 TIP, please click here.

By Mike Kimbrel
Principal Transportation Engineer

The Regional Board Room
723 Woodlake Drive
Chesapeake, Virginia

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 9:37 a.m.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Oral comments - Limit 3 minutes per individual)
There were no speakers.

3. SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS (Written comments included in agenda packet)
The Chair recognized the submitted public comments.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Lewis moved to approve the agenda with no changes. Mr. Raliski seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.

5. MINUTES
Mr. Walton move to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Hartman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

6. HRTPO CMAQ/RSTP PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS: REVISED CRITERIA AND POLICIES
Mr. Kimbrel explained that the TTS had recommended revisions to the HRTPO CMAQ/RSTP Project Selection Process criteria and policies to ensure that they account for the latest guidance from the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Mr. Lewis moved approval of the recommended changes to the CMAQ and RSTP Criteria and Policies. Mr. Cross seconded the motion. Mr. Hicks made a substitute motion to add the following change in the recommended revision to the RSTP criteria, “RSTP funds can be used for interstate improvements to assist in completing the phase funding of a project”, seconded by Mr. Slaughter. The substitute motion failed with seven members voting in favor of the substitute motion. A vote was then taken on the original motion made by Mr. Lewis and it passed with seven members voting in opposition.

Mr. Kimbrel then described a plan approved by the TTS for monitoring the status of CMAQ and RSTP projects to ensure that projects stay on schedule and that funds tied to those projects are being used efficiently and effectively. Mr. Lewis moved approval of the recommended project status monitoring plan. Mr. King seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

7. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: HAMPTON
Mr. Walton moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Slaughter seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

8. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: VIRGINIA BEACH
Mr. Pullen moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Schnaufer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

9. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: YORK COUNTY
Mr. Cross moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

10. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: YORK COUNTY, JAMES CITY COUNTY, WILLIAMSBURG
Mr. Cross withdrew the TIP Amendment request.

11. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: NORFOLK
Mr. Brown moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Ms. Waterman seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

12. DRAFT HAMPTON ROADS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMMING DOCUMENTS
Mr. Farmer briefed the TTAC on the draft CTB FY 2012-2017 Six-Year Improvement Program. This item was for informational purposes and the TTAC took no action.

Mr. Kimbrel then briefed the TTAC on the draft HRTPO FY 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program and requested that members submit comments on the Draft TIP document to HRTPO staff by COB on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. The TTAC took no action.

13. HRTPO 2034 LRTP: DRAFT LIST OF PROJECTS FOR AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY ANALYSIS
Ms. Stith briefed the TTAC on this item and requested that members submit comments on the 2034 LRTP draft list of project for air quality conformity analysis to HRTPO staff by COB on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. The TTAC took no action.

14. HRTPO FY 2012 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM: DRAFT 2
Mr. Kimbrel briefed the TTAC on this item and requested that members submit comments on the draft UPWP to HRTPO staff by COB on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. The TTAC took no action.

15. CORRESPONDENCE OF INTEREST
The items listed under Correspondence of Interest were for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on the items listed under FYI.

16. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The items listed under FYI were for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on the items listed under FYI.

17. OLD/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Hicks inquired about the need to include two local projects in the 2034 LRTP for the air quality conformity analysis. It was determined that the projects did not need to be included for the air quality conformity analysis. The TTAC took no action on this item.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.

By Mike Kimbrel
Principal Transportation Engineer

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 9:46 a.m. (Following ICG Meeting)

2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Oral comments - Limit 3 minutes per individual)
There were no speakers.

3. SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS (Written comments included in agenda packet)
The Chair recognized the submitted public comments.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mr. Gibson requested that a new agenda item be added after Item 14 to discuss amending the 2034 LRTP list of projects to change the Route 460 project from a study to a construction project. Mr. Hicks requested that a new agenda item be added after Item 11 to address a James City County TIP Amendment request. Mr. Gibson moved approval of the requested changes to the agenda. Mr. Abt seconded the motion and the agenda was approved with the
requested changes.

5. MINUTES
The minutes were approved with no changes.

6. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Mr. Schnaufer noted that the Nominating Committee had recommended Mr. Sorey for TTAC Chair and Mr. King for TTAC Vice-Chair. He then moved approval of the recommended officers. Mr. Drumwright seconded the motion and it was approved.

7. CMAQ/RSTP RECONCILIATION WORK: STATUS REPORT
Mr. Kimbrel briefed the TTAC on the status of reallocating CMAQ and RSTP funds found to be available from Categories A and C, noting that the total available funds had been reduced as a result of a determination by York County, James City County, and Williamsburg that two projects listed as Districtwide projects were underway projects as opposed to completed projects. This item was for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on this item.

8. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: CHESAPEAKE
Mr. Walton briefed the TTAC on the City’s request to reallocate RSTP and CMAQ funds, noting that some funds were being returned to the CMAQ Reserve. Mr. Walton moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Hicks seconded the motion and it was approved.

9. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: NEWPORT NEWS
Mr. Slaughter briefed the TTAC on the City’s request to reallocate CMAQ funds and moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion and it was approved.

10. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: NORFOLK
Mr. Brown briefed the TTAC on the City’s request to reallocate CMAQ funds and moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Walton seconded the motion and it was approved.

11. FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: JAMES CITY COUNTY
Mr. Hicks briefed the TTAC on the County’s request to add the Skiffes Creek Connector to the FY 2009-2012 TIP as a Preliminary Engineering and Right of Way Only project and to transfer funds to the new project from the Route 60 Relocated project. Mr. Hicks moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Cross seconded the motion and it was approved.

New Item FY 2009-2012 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: JAMES CITY COUNTY
Mr. Hicks briefed the TTAC on the County’s request to reallocate CMAQ and RSTP funds and moved approval of the TIP Amendment. Mr. Walton seconded the motion and it was approved.

12. REVIEW OF THE FY 2012-2017 SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROCESS: VDOT
Mr. Jack briefed the TTAC on the roles and responsibilities of the various entities involved in the development of the SYIP. This item was for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on this item.

13. I-64 PENINSULA STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT: VDOT
Mr. Nies briefed the TTAC on the purpose of the study, as well as the timeline and current status. This item was for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on this item.

14. 2034 LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN: STATUS REPORT
Ms. Ravanbakht noted that the Recommended List of Projects and Studies that was approved by the HRTPO Board during its March 2011 meeting was enclosed. She further noted that the document had been widely distributed, and that recipients included the Governor, Secretary of Transportation, and members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Ms. Stith then briefed the TTAC on the status of the 2034 LRTP development, noting the tasks completed to date as well as the schedule of remaining tasks to be completed by January 2012. This item was for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on this item.

New Item AMENDING THE RECOMMENDED LIST OF PROJECTS AND STUDIES FOR THE 2034 LRTP TO SHOW THE ROUTE 460 PROJECT AS A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Mr. Gibson noted that the current Recommended List of Projects and Studies for the 2034 LRTP includes the Route 460 project as a study, but that the PPTA process makes the construction of the Route 460 project financially-constrained. As such, Mr. Gibson moved that the Recommended List of Projects and Studies for the 2034 LRTP be amended to show the project as a construction project. Mr. Ponticello seconded the motion and it was approved.

15. INRIX NATIONAL TRAFFIC SCORECARD
Mr. Nichols briefed the TTAC on the INRIX National Traffic Scorecard 2010 Annual Report,which details the status of congestion in the largest 100 metropolitan areas across the country. The congestion information is based on travel speed information collected from over 4 million GPS-equipped vehicles, as well as consumer cellular GPS-based devices. This item was for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on this item.

16. CORRESPONDENCE OF INTEREST
There were no items this month.

17. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The Chair noted the item on the VDOT public hearing on the draft Six-Year Improvement Program that is scheduled for April 27, 2011 at the Regional Building, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia. The items listed under FYI were for informational purposes. The TTAC took no action on the items listed under FYI.

18. OLD/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Hicks stated that there was a recent public meeting in James City County on the Mooretown Road Corridor Extension, noting that over 70 people attended the meeting. He expressed special appreciation to Ms. Ravanbakht for her attendance and presentation during the public meeting. The TTAC took no action on this item.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:04 a.m.

March 17, 2011
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia

1.    CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at approximately 10:30 a.m.

2.    PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A private citizen and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Commonwealth Transportation Board, and the Greater Norfolk Corporation addressed the HRTPO Board.

3.    SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS
A submitted written public comment was provided to the HRTPO Board.

4.    APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A new agenda item was added to be discussed under Agenda Item #20 New Business at the request of the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Chair.  Furthermore, the Executive Director requested to move Agenda Item #9 FY 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program: Draft Project List from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA:
Agenda items under the Consent Agenda were approved by the HRTPO Board.

5.    Minutes

6.    FY 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment: VDOT

7.    FY 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program Revision: Virginia Beach

8.    Hampton Roads 2030 LRTP and FY 2009-2012 Transportation Improvement Program Air Quality Conformity: Final Report

10.    Freight Transportation Advisory Committee: Membership

11.    FY 2012 Federal Grant Application: Rural Transportation

REGULAR AGENDA:

9.    FY 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program: Draft Project List
The HRTPO Board approved the draft project list and appendix materials so that work may begin on the Air Quality Conformity analysis in April 2011.

12.    Transportation Project Prioritization: CTAC Resolution
This item was for informational purposes only.  The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.

13.    Transportation Project Prioritization: Recommended List of Projects and Studies
The HRTPO Board approved to the Recommended Transportation Project and Studies Priorities list.

14.    Allocating CMAQ and RSTP Funds Through FY 2017
The HRTPO Board approved the Additional New CMAQ & RSTP Allocations (Tables 2 & 5), as well as the TIP amendment to incorporate the new project and funding information into the FY 2009-2012 TIP, with two opposing votes from the Virginia Department of Transportation and Hampton Roads Transit representatives.

15.    Transit Vision Plan: Final Report and Resolution
The HRTPO Board approved to the report and the resolution.

16.    High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail: Status Update
The HRTPO Board approved the authorization of the Executive Director to continue working with the high-speed rail consultant to evaluate the status of the federal programs, work in harmony with DRPT regarding their efforts, and craft a scope of work that is responsive to the federal program and not duplicative of DRPT’s efforts.

17.    HRTPO Board Action Items: Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes only.  The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.

18.    Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes only.  The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.

19.    For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes only.  The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.

20.    Old/New Business
At the request of the CTAC Chair, a new agenda item was created to address renewing membership to those CTAC members with expiring term limits.  The HRTPO Board approved the renewal of the membership of those CTAC members with a one-year initial term limit to an additional three-year term, as well as authorized the Executive Director to coordinate with localities to fill vacant CTAC membership positions.

ADJOURNMENT

Mike Kimbrel
Principal Transportation Engineer
 
The Hampton Roads Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a multi-year program for the implementation of surface transportation projects within Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area (MPA).  The TIP is developed by the HRTPO in cooperation with state transportation agencies and local public transportation operators.  A TIP contains all federally-funded and/or regionally-significant projects that require an action by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  Before any federally-funded or regionally-significant surface transportation project can be built in the MPA, it must be included in a current TIP that has been approved by the HRTPO Board.
 
The current, FY 2009-2012 TIP was originally approved by the Board in June 2008 and has been updated on a regular basis since then.  Work has just begun on the development of a new, FY 2012-2015 TIP for Hampton Roads.  The basic steps for development of the TIP may be summarized as follows:
 
1.       The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), HRTPO, and local public transit agencies coordinate to develop the draft TIP project list, drawing projects from the approved Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
2.       The draft TIP project list is tested for air quality conformity.  This step ensures that implementation of the transportation projects in the TIP will conform with regional air quality plans and not worsen air quality.
3.       The final TIP document is approved by the HRTPO Board.
 
There are multiple smaller steps associated with each of the steps listed above.  Not the least of these is the opportunity for public participation.  Efforts are made to engage the public in reviewing and commenting on the draft TIP project list, the air quality conformity analysis, and the draft TIP document prior to final approval by the HRTPO Board.
 
We are currently working on Step 1 above, and the draft TIP project list has been made available for public review on the HRTPO website at http://www.hrtpo.org/TPO_PubNotice.asp.  All interested parties are invited to review the draft TIP project list, as well as comments provided by HRTPO staff and the staffs of several Hampton Roads localities, and to provide comments to HRTPO staff by March 9, 2011.  Additional public participation opportunities will be announced as development of the TIP moves forward.