The overall purpose of this study is to determine military transportation needs and to provide an efficient and safe transportation network for the military in Hampton Roads.  The first step was to engage various stakeholders, including local military representatives, federal agencies, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and local jurisdictions to gather their input.  After initial discussions, it was agreed that it was important to examine the adequacy of the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) routes in Hampton Roads and to include them in local planning efforts.  STRAHNET is designated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as the minimum network of highways that are important to the United States' strategic defense policy and provide access, continuity and emergency capabilities for defense purposes.  Nationwide, the highways in this network provide a critical link to over 200 important military installations and ports.  

Hampton Roads is home to many military sites not identified within STRAHNET.  As a result, regional stakeholders expressed a desire to identify a roadway network beyond STRAHNET to include roadways serving these additional military sites and intermodal facilities supporting the local military.  This regional roadway network will include both STRAHNET routes as well as other local roadways to and from these additional locations.  This roadway network will be reviewed to determine deficient locations, such as congested segments, deficient bridges, and inadequate geometrics.  This study will also identify existing local programmed or planned transportation projects that are important to the military.  Ultimately, the HRTPO plans to incorporate this work into future iterations of the Congestion Management Process (CMP) and the regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Prioritization Tool to assist decision makers as they select future transportation projects.  It is anticipated that a study report will be available this Summer.