The HRTPO staff has reviewed and analyzed the Draft FY 2013-2018 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP), which was released on April 18, 2012. Comprised of over 900 projects, the $10.6 billion draft program proposes $8.3 billion for highway projects and $2.3 billion for rail and public transportation projects. The SYIP also includes the use of federal revenues to fund the GARVEE bond debt service in the amount of $407 million. As shown in the graphic below, there is little change in the total allocations in this draft program compared to last year’s program.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is scheduled to approve the FY 2013-2018 SYIP on June 20, 2012.
Highway Funding Overview
The draft SYIP proposes to allocate approximately $1.7 billion over the next six years to over 150 projects in Hampton Roads ($228 million for Interstate projects and $1.5 billion for Non-Interstate projects). Since the SYIP is updated annually, HRTPO staff conducted a more detailed analysis of the first year of the program (FY 2013) since it is likely that project allocations, schedules, and cost estimates will change for years two through six.
During FY 2013, the draft program proposes to allocate $479 million to highway projects, of which $18.6 million has been allocated to Interstate projects, including $12.6 million for the interstate portion of the Midtown Tunnel/Downtown Tunnel/MLK Freeway Extension PPTA project, $3 million for the Surface Repair and Rehabilitation of I-264, and $2.4 million for the ramp improvement at I-64 and Norview Ave. The remainder of the first year funding ($460.3 million) has been allocated to Non-Interstate projects such as the widening of Dominion Blvd and Steel Bridge replacement in Chesapeake ($97 million); primary construction of the Midtown Tunnel/Downtown Tunnel/MLK Freeway Extension PPTA ($95 million); extension of Middle Ground Blvd in Newport News ($37 million); Lesner Bridge replacement in Virginia Beach ($30 million); and the continuous flow interchange at Military Hwy and Northampton Blvd in Norfolk ($17 million).
Regional projects that are scheduled to be completed during the six-year period include:
Studies to be conducted include the Light Rail Transit extension to Naval Station Norfolk and Virginia Beach Oceanfront and the Longhill Road Corridor Study in James City County.
Rail and Public Transportation Funding Overview
The draft SYIP includes $2.3 billion for rail and public transportation projects administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Some regional projects of note include:
About the Six-Year Improvement Program:
The SYIP is updated annually and is the means by which the CTB meets its statutory obligation to allocate funds to interstate, primary and urban highway systems, rail, public transportation, airports, ports, and other programs for the immediate fiscal year. The SYIP also identifies planned program funding for the subsequent five fiscal years.
The development of the FY 2013-2018 SYIP has focused on the following CTB priorities:
For more information about the Six-Year Improvement Program, please visit:http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/syp-default.asp.