Action Summary
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting
February 20, 2020
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:32 a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director requested to defer “Agenda Item 6-A: FY 2018-2021 TIP Amendment – UPC 109314: Nike Park Road Extension in Isle of Wight County” to the March 19, 2020 Board meeting. He also requested to add “HRTPO Resolution 2020-03 – Transportation Conformity” to the Agenda before Item 8.
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda as amended.
3. Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert Crum provided a summary of current work activities of the HRTPO, making particular note of the following:
4. Public Comments
A. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from the City of Portsmouth, expressed his concern regarding the Omnibus Transportation Bill (HB1414/SB890) currently in the Virginia General Assembly 2020 Session.
B. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet.
C. Transcribed Public Comments from Previous HRTPO Meeting
This item was for informational purposes
5. Updates from Planning Partners
A. Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Members Update
Mr. W. Sheppard Miller, CTB member, reported that at the last CTB meeting, members received briefings on the following:
B. Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. Christopher Hall, VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer, introduced Mr. Todd Halacy, the District’s new Planning and Investment Manager. He then provided a brief update on the Regional Priority Projects stating that with regard to Segment III of the I-64 Peninsula Widening Project, work is almost complete on the Queens Creek Bridge and westbound traffic on I-64 should shift in April of 2020. Pile cap construction is continuing in the river for the I-64 Southside Widening, including the High-Rise Bridge, project, with bridge girder placement expected in March. Median work has begun on the I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements Phase II project for preparation of the flyover over I-264 near Witchduck Road.
C. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Ms. Jennifer DeBruhl, DRPT Chief of Public Transportation, reported that DRPT is currently evaluating over 400 project requests using its prioritization methodology during its annual allocation process. She stated in December 2019, a major announcement was published regarding the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia Program and an agreement with CSX that includes improvements to the Long Bridge, other track improvements, and the acquisition of 350 miles of rail right-of-way and track which will allow six round trips to Hampton Roads by 2026. She noted that DRPT is still seeking federal and local funds, including INFRA funds, to fill funding gaps for this project. She suggested a representative from DRPT brief the HRTPO Board in the near future regarding the Long Bridge and the Transforming Rail project. Chair Rowe recommended that a DRPT representative brief the HRTPO Board at its next meeting on March 19, 2020.
D. Virginia Port Authority
Ms. Barbara Nelson, VPA Vice-President of Government Affairs/Transportation Policy, had no comments.
E. HRT and WATA
Mr. William Harrell, HRT President and CEO, reported that HRT is focused on improving multi-modal options in the region, enhancing the core bus network with 15-minute service, and expanded high-capacity transit, such as BRT and the LRT expansion. He stated that HRT hosted an open house in the JANAF area of Norfolk recently with over 60 stakeholders to offer comments on the Naval Station Norfolk Transit Project Corridor and noted that another open house would occur that evening in the Ocean View area of Norfolk.
Mr. Zach Trogdon, WATA Executive Director, reported that WATA is following the transit legislation currently in the Virginia General Assembly.
F. Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Update
Ms. Terry Danaher, CAC Chair, reported that the majority of CAC members support public transit and she stated that it is the Committee’s hope that the transit funding legislation moves forward. Ms. Danaher requested that CAC’s new bylaws be included on the March 19, 2020 HRTPO agenda for Board approval.
G. Military Liaisons Updates
Captain Michael Moore, U.S. Navy, expressed his appreciation for the region’s support during the Navy’s Force Protection Exercise that occurred over the past several weeks. He stated that is has been his pleasure serving on the HRTPO Board as this was his last meeting.
Colonel Ed Vedder, Joint Langley-Eustis, stated that U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence visited Langley Air Force Base yesterday. He noted that AirPower Over Hampton Roads, due to take place on May 16-17, 2020, has been cancelled due to various reasons; however, the air show will return within two years.
There was no representative in attendance from the U.S. Coast Guard.
H. Airport Representatives Updates
There was no representative in attendance from the Norfolk Airport Authority.
There was no representative in attendance from the Peninsula Airport Commission.
6. Approval of TIP Amendments [Action Requested]
The HRTPOBoard unanimously approved the TIP Amendments as amended.
7. Approval of Consent Items [Action Requested]
The HRTPOBoard unanimously approved the Consent Items as written.
8. HRTPO Resolution 2020-03 – Transportation Conformity [Action Requested]
Mr. Michael Kimbrel, HRTPO Deputy Executive Director, reported that due to the development of the FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and in order to comply with federal air quality regulations, HRTPO staff has recommended the HRTPO Board approve HRTPO Resolution 2020-03 to initiate conformity on the FY 2021-2024 TIP and the 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). As part of this resolution, the Board authorizes TTAC to approve the project list for transportation conformity and to initiate public review of the draft transportation regional conformity assessment.
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved HRTPO Resolution 2020-03.
9. 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP): Draft Vision and Goals and Candidate Projects [Action Requested]
Ms. Dale Stith, HRTPO Principal Transportation Planner, briefed the Board on the draft vision and goals for the 2045 LRTP and stated that HRTPO staff engaged the public and other regional stakeholders in identifying regional priorities and concerns which, in turn, were then used to develop the draft vision and goals. Ms. Stith also briefed the Board on the development of the draft list of candidate transportation projects to be evaluated for potential inclusion in the 2045 LRTP. She noted that the candidate projects from the draft list will be evaluated through multiple future scenarios in an effort to identify projects that provide the most benefit to the region.
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the draft 2045 LRTP Vision Statement and Goals and draft Candidate Projects List.
10. Hampton Roads Congestion Management Process: Part I – Introduction and System Monitoring: Draft Report
Mr. Keith Nichols, HRTPO Principal Transportation Engineer, briefed the Board on Part I – Introduction and System Monitoring of the Hampton Roads Congestion Management Process (CMP) draft report. He stated that the Hampton Roads CMP is an on-going systematic process that provides information and analysis on multimodal transportation system performance and on strategies to alleviate congestion and enhance the mobility of persons and goods regionwide. He noted that Part II and Part III of the report will be released in the Spring and Summer of 2020, respectively.
11. FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Draft Document
Mr. John Mihaly, HRTPO Principal Transportation Planner, briefed the Board on the draft FY 2021-2024 TIP document, and stated that the TIP is developed in cooperation with the State and affected public transportation operators. The 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). He noted that once approved, the FY 2021-2024 TIP will go into effect on October 1, 2020.
12. Linking Hampton Roads, A Regional Active Transportation Plan: Draft Report
Mr. Steve Lambert, HRTPO Transportation Planner II, briefed the Board on the draft Linking Hampton Roads, A Regional Active Transportation Plan report. He stated that it is HRTPO’s first regional active transportation plan and will provide regional recommendations to guide localities, HRTPO staff, and the 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
13. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.
14. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes.
15. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes.
16. Old/New Business
There was no old/new business.
ADJOURNMENT
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