1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:31a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
The Board approved the agenda.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
3. Commonwealth Transportation Board Members Comments and Updates
Mr. John Malbon noted that at this month’s CTB meeting there was discussion about the U.S. Route 460 corridor improvement project. The preferred alternative alignment will be voted on at the February CTB meeting. Also, the CTB voted to approve an amendment to the Six Year Improvement Program to include the I-64 Southside Widening/High Rise Bridge Preliminary Engineering (PE) and the Hampton Roads Third Crossing Supplemental Environmental Impact Study (SEIS). The CTB took action authorizing the Commissioner to sign project agreements with the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) for the I-64 Southside Widening/High Rise Bridge PE, the Hampton Roads Third Crossing (SEIS), and the I-64/264 Interchange PE and right of way (ROW) acquisition.
4. Virginia Department of Transportation Comments and Updates
Ms. Dawn Odom had no comments or updates.
5. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Comments and Updates
Ms. Cheryl Openshaw stated that the department is accepting applications for the FY-16 Transit and Rail Grant Program which includes the new Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Fund (IPROC). Some of the projects that are of high priority to the department include the Newport News maintenance and storage facilities, the second and third train frequencies to Norfolk, and the Tier II EIS for the Washington D.C. to Richmond Higher Speed Rail Project that DRPT continues to advance with a purpose and need statement as well as a basis of design document. A scoping summary document is due in late January or early February 2015 on the Washington D.C. to Richmond Tier II EIS.
6. Military Liaisons Comments and Updates
Captain Clark had no comments or updates.
7. FY 2016 Unified Planning Work Program – Planning Priorities: Draft
Mr. Mike Kimbrel briefed the Board on the Draft Planning Priorities for the FY 2016 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), noting that the planning priorities are identified by the HRTPO to ensure that its vision and goals are addressed in the UPWP. The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.
8. FY 2015-2018 TIP Amendment: HRTAC Projects
Dr. Ravanbakht briefed the Board on a TIP amendment request associated with three HRTAC approved projects - I-64/264 Interchange preliminary engineering and right of way, Hampton Roads Third Crossing reevaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement, and I-64 Southside Widening and Replace High Rise Bridge PE. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #13.
9. Midtown and Downtown Tunnels Toll Survey Part 2: Post-Tolling Findings
Dr. Quentin Kidd, Chair of the Department of Government and Director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, briefed the HRTPO Board on the results of the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels Toll Survey Part 2. The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.
10. Analyzing and Mitigating the Impact of Tolls at the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels: Part 1
Mr. Sam Belfield presented the Board with Part I of an analysis on the impact of tolling at the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels. Part II of the presentation is scheduled for the March HRTPO Board meeting. The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.
ACTION ITEMS AGENDA
11. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Portsmouth suggested that Hampton Roads Transportation Fund monies be used for ”buying down” the tolls and limiting constructions costs at the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels. He suggested that the results of the study presented to the HRTPO Board by Dr. Quentin Kidd may be skewed because of the toll “buy down” from the state.
A citizen from Virginia Beach shared with the Board that the I-64/264 interchange is one of eight interchanges and is the only one in the LRTP. He mentioned that the impacts of tolling on the MT/DT Tunnels are due to the financial ability of citizens to pay the tolls and that the businesses in those areas are negatively impacted due to the decreased congestion.
A citizen from Portsmouth stated that an ad-hoc committee could have been created instead of HRTAC and that there is a need for additional communication and relationship building between the HRTAC and HRTPO.
12. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments.
13. FY 2015-2018 TIP Amendment: HRTAC Projects
The HRTPO Board approved the TIP Amendment.
14. Approval of Consent Items
The HRTPO Board approved the Consent Agenda items.
15. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes only.
16. HRTPO Draft Reports for Public Review and Comment
This item was for informational purposes only
17. Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes only.
18. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes only.
19. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes only.
Chair Price noted that the HRTPO and HRPDC chairs will address the Hampton Roads legislative caucus of the General Assembly on January 29, 2015 at 8:00 am regarding proposed legislation for the 2015 session.
20. Old/New Business
Mr. David White, on behalf of the HRTPO Freight Transportation Advisory Committee, briefed the Board on a resolution that was passed at the December 18, 2014 FTAC meeting in support of an interstate designation for the Hampton Roads to Raleigh corridor. A formal resolution pertaining to the HR to Raleigh Corridor Interstate designation will be presented to the HRTPO Board in March. The FTAC will also provide a letter to the HRTPO Board outlining the top-rated freight projects for consideration as a part of the LRTP.
Ms. Dee Dee Darden read a prepared statement to the HRTPO Board from the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors outlining their concerns pertaining to the recently announced alternative for the U.S. Route 460 Corridor project by the VDOT. Mr. Malbon stated that a meeting was being scheduled for the following week to include himself, the VDOT Commissioner, and all interested parties from Isle of Wight County to discuss the County’s concerns.
The HRTPO Board passed a motion to support the County’s efforts to communicate its concerns with VDOT as quickly as possible.
ADJOURNMENT
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