Action Summary 

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting 

July 20, 2017 

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

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:33 a.m. 

2. Approval of Agenda 

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda with one amendment: combine Agenda Item 11 – HOV to HOT Lane Conversion (I-264 to Battlefield Blvd.) and Agenda Item #12 – I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge Managed Lanes. 

3. Executive Director Report 

Mr. Robert Crum provided a summary of current work activities of the HRTPO with particular note of the following: 

• The HRTPO was successful in obtaining $100 million in SMART SCALE funding for the I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge project and $50 million for the I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements project. 

WORKSHOP AGENDA 

4. Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update 

Mr. John Malbon reported that the Secretary of Transportation presented the concept of a network of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes in Hampton Roads. He stated the HOT lanes will benefit the region by optimizing capacity that is currently under-utilized. He noted there will be a free alternative to the HOT lanes. 

5. Virginia Department of Transportation Update 

Mr. James Utterback reported that the Route 58/460/13 Connector Study is underway. He stated that Technical Proposals for the I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge project are due in August, Price for Proposals due in September, and approval consideration by the CTB in October. He noted that Technical Proposals for Segment 3 of the I-64 Peninsula Widening project are due in September. Regarding Segment 2 of the I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements, Mr. Utterback commented that VDOT plans to advertise for bids next week. Lastly, he noted that VDOT’s monthly executive report is now available. 

6. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update 

There was no DRPT representative in attendance. 

Delegate David Yancey requested the HRTPO Board secure a briefing from DRPT regarding an update on the status of Hampton Roads Passenger Rail and the ACCA Rail Yard in Richmond. 

7. Virginia Port Authority Update 

Ms. Cathie Vick reported the North Gate project is now completed creating more efficiency and velocity moving through the terminal. She stated that the I-564 Connector dedicated lane will be finished by the end of the year and thanked VDOT for its efforts in accomplishing this goal. She noted that bids are due soon for the construction on the Norfolk side of the Terminal. Lastly, she offered her assistance in answering any questions regarding the Freight Study. 

8. HRT and WATA Updates 

Mr. William E. Harrell reported that HRT christened the Elizabeth River Ferry 4 which was part of a $7 million grant, noting that Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe assisted in this ceremony. 

Mr. Joshua Moore reported that on July 14th, WATA kicked off the Lackey Area/Naval Weapons Station Route. This Route was funded by CMAQ allocations approved by the HRTPO. He noted that ridership on this route has been trending upward and stated he would provide more updates on this route at a later date. 

9. Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update 

Ms. Terry Danaher reported that CTAC met on July 13th and Mr. Robert Crum led a panel discussion on military expansion and new business viability in Hampton Roads with a focus on the impact of transportation issues, especially public transit. She recommended HRTPO Board members view the video from the meeting to obtain more information regarding the panel discussion. 

10. Military Liaisons Updates 

LCDR Barbara Wilk thanked VDOT staff for its cooperation and coordination regarding the last minute Berkley Bridge lift to allow a dry dock to safely pass through. She stated the Coast Guard looks forward to future communication and cooperation during the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel project. 

11/12. HOV to HOT Lane Conversion (I-264 Battlefield Blvd.) and I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge – Managed Lanes: Grindly Johnson, Commonwealth of Virginia and James Utterback, VDOT 

Ms. Grindly Johnson, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, stated the keys to success for the I-64 Express Lane Network will be choice and communication. She commented that all toll revenue collected from the Express Network will stay in the region to be used on transportation projects. 

Mr. James Utterback, VDOT Hampton Roads District Administrator, briefed the HRTPO Board on Segments 1, 2, and 3 of the proposed Express Lane Network, and stated that Segment 1 should be operational in December 2017. He discussed the possibly of a Segment 4 on I-64 from I-664 near the Hampton Coliseum to Jefferson Avenue on the Peninsula and noted that this segment has not yet been evaluated. 

This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #21-F. 

13. Birthplace of America Trail: Robert Case and Steve Lambert, HRTPO 

Dr. Robert Case briefed the HRTPO Board on the progress of connecting the Virginia Capital Trail with the South Hampton Roads Trail. 

Mr. Steve Lambert stated that cost effectiveness, trail demand, and public input were utilized to decide on the preferred route for connecting the two trails. 

Delegate David Yancey requested that HRTPO staff research the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Trail from Rhode Island to Yorktown as a connector spur of the Birthplace of America Trail. HRTPO staff will research the trail for possible inclusion at a later date. 

This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #21-H. 

14. Hampton Roads Regional Freight Study/Corridors of Commerce: Keith Nichols and Robert Crum, HRTPO 

Mr. Keith Nichols briefed the HRTPO Board on the Hampton Roads Regional Freight Study and noted that special emphasis was placed on regional truck movement as this is the predominant mode of freight transportation into and out of Hampton Roads. 

Mr. Robert Crum stated future studies that will further examine improvements for the movement of freight are as follows: 

• Hampton Roads Corridors of Commerce 

• Route 58 Corridor Study 

• HRCS-SEIS Additional Feasibility Studies 

This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #21-I. 

15. 2045 Socio-Economic Forecast: Greg Grootendorst, HRPDC 

Mr. Greg Grootendorst briefed the HRTPO Board on the development of the 2045 Socio-Economic Forecast which is one of the first steps towards creating the 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan. 

This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #19-J. 

ACTION ITEMS AGENDA 

16. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual) 

A Citizen from Norfolk expressed concern that funding may be cut for port security. 

A Citizen from Portsmouth provided her viewpoint on Agenda Item 15: 2045 Socio-Economic Forecast. 

A Citizen from Virginia Beach discussed various transportation items, including her concern over light rail projects in the 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan. 

17. Submitted Public Comments 

There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet. 

18. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting 

This item was for informational purposes. 

19. Approval of Consent Items 

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items. 

20. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule 

This item was for informational purposes. 

21. Correspondence of Interest 

This item was for informational purposes. 

22. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings 

This item was for informational purposes. 

23. For Your Information 

This item was for informational purposes. 

24. Old/New Business 

There was no old/new business. 

ADJOURNMENT