Action Summary
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting
May 16, 2019
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:30 a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda as written.
3. Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert Crum provided a summary of current work activities of the HRTPO, making particular note of the following:
WORKSHOP AGENDA
4. Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Members Update
Mr. Christopher Hall, VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer, reported for CTB member John Malbon that the CTB awarded the Laskin Road project this week with construction slated for later this summer. He noted that the region received an additional $37.9 million in SMART SCALE funding from Round 2 and Round 3 to help fund six new projects.
5. Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. Christopher Hall reported that VDOT has postponed its briefing on the Bowers Hill Interchange Improvements Study until the July HRTPO Board meeting in order to address questions and comments from TTAC members stemming from its May 1st meeting.
Mr. Hall then provided a brief update on the Regional Priority Projects stating that Segment II of the I-64 Peninsula Widening project is in close-out with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for June 13, 2019. Construction is occurring in the median on Segment III of the I-64 Peninsula Widening project, along with prep work for replacing the Queens Creek Bridge. The flyover to I-264 eastbound from the I-64 interchange for Phase I of the I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements is under construction along with the completion of the South Newtown bridge improvements. Phase II of the project is also underway. The I-64 Southside Widening project, including the High-Rise Bridge, is underway as pile caps are now being installed.
6. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Update
Ms. Jennifer DeBruhl reported that DRPT recently launched its Commute Virginia Mobile App which allows users to look for transit, rail, car pool, and van pool options for their travel. She stated that AMTRAK ridership is up almost 15 percent year over year statewide and for routes in Hampton Roads, train ridership for Norfolk and Newport News is up 75 and 12 percent respectively.
7. Virginia Port Authority Update
Ms. Cathie Vick reported that the Virginia International Gateway project will be complete by the end of May with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 23, 2019. She stated that Phase 2 of the Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) project is at 50 percent and will be complete by the end of July, with Phase 3 starting on September 1, 2019. She stated the Port continues to extend the mandatory hours for the truck reservation system which has increased the efficiency rate of the motor carrier traffic. Dredging will begin in January 2020 on the west side of Thimble Shoals Tunnel for the deepening and widening of the channel. She noted that the HRTPO Freight Transportation Advisory Committee (FTAC) has reconvened and introduced FTAC member David White, to the HRTPO Board.
Mr. David White, Executive Director of the Virginia Maritime Association, stated that since December 2018, FTAC has met four times and taken action to recommend revisions to the HRTPO Project Prioritization Tool and recommended 70 projects to address freight needs on the transportation system for the 2045 LRTP. Additionally, FTAC has received briefings and provided comments on the HRPDC Economic Development Sites Inventory, the Regional Connectors Study, regional SMART SCALE projects, and the Bowers Hill Interchange study.
8. HRT and WATA Updates
Mr. William Harrell reported that HRT has two brochures on the table outside the boardroom: 1) the Tour of Hampton Roads which requests feedback regarding the current transit system and how to improve it in the future, and 2) the Transportation Innovation Forum which will be held in Portsmouth on May 28th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The topic of discussion at the forum will be automated research.
Mr. Zach Trogdon thanked the HRTPO Board for its continued support. He inquired as to the public hearing date for VDOT’s Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). Mr. Crum stated that VDOT conducted its public meeting a few weeks ago; however, he noted that VDOT was accepting public comments.
9. Community Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update
Ms. Terry Danaher reported that CTAC postponed its May meeting until June in order to give members more time to provide input on CTAC’s bylaws which need to be updated to incorporate new duties regarding the HRPDC. She noted that once CTAC approves its amended bylaws, the item will be placed on the HRTPO agenda for Board approval.
10. Military Liaisons Updates
LCDR Pete Francisco reported that the Coast Guard is in contact with the contracted company for Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project in order to ensure navigation safety during the construction of the offshore wind farm. He stated that the Coast Guard continues to work closely with VDOT with regard to the I-64 HRBT expansion project. He noted that the North Landing drawbridge, owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, suffered an electrical malfunction and efforts are underway to restore bridge operation as soon as possible.
Captain Michael Moore, US Navy, had no comments.
Ms. Jeree Grimes, Joint Langley-Eustis, had not comments Chair Shepperd inquired as to whether the Air Force planned to take input from the community regarding the arrival of the F-22 Training Squadron. Ms. Grimes replied affirmatively. He requested that due to the increase in air traffic, the Air Force inform the public as to the squadron’s arrival. She replied that she would inform the Board.
11. FY 2020 HRTPO Budget
Ms. Sheila Wilson, HRTPO Chief Financial Officer, briefed the HRTPO Board on the FY 2020 HRTPO Budget. She stated that the budget maintains locality membership dues at $0.80 per capita and provides for a proposed 2.5% salary increase for staff. There was also a $1.16 million decrease in pass-through funds and no increase in health care premiums or VRS rate.
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #18-F.
12. I-64 Regional Express Lanes Update
Mr. Christopher Hall, VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer, briefed the HRTPO Board on the preliminary results from the Hampton Roads Regional Express Lanes Operational Analysis conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with assistance from Kimley-Horn. The study evaluated the operational characteristics and efficiencies of the following three managed lane implementations:
In addition, the study evaluated the operational characteristics of an express lanes network on I-64 from the vicinity of Settlers Landing Road in Hampton to the Bowers Hill are in Chesapeake. Mr. Hall noted that VDOT intends to present its final study results to the HRTPO Board at its July 18th Board meeting.
13. Regional Connectors Study: Phase 2 Supplement
Mr. Michael Kimbrel, HRTPO Deputy Executive Director, briefed the HRTPO Board on the Phase 2 Supplement of the Regional Connectors Study (RCS). He stated that the consultant team led by Michael Baker International completed Phase 1 of the study and is currently working on a scaled-down version of Phase 2. He noted that the RCS Steering Committee and Working Group have recommended HRTPO Board approval of the RCS Phase 2 Supplement Scope of Work, Schedule, and Budget to complete the work envisioned for Phase 2 – primarily the development of the scenario planning framework, assumptions, and tools by January 2020 for use in the development of the 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #18-H.
14. State of Transportation 2018 Update
Due to time constraints, this briefing was deferred until a later date.
MEETING AGENDA
15. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Newport News expressed concerns regarding Agenda Item #12 – I-64 Regional Express Lanes Update.
16. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet.
17. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting
There were no transcribed public comments from the previous meeting.
ACTION ITEMS
18. Approval of Consent Items
Chair Shepperd requested to pull Agenda Item #18-F – FY 2020 HRTPO Budget, from the Consent Agenda, in order to hear the recommended action from the Joint HRPDC and HRTPO Personnel & Budget (P&B) Committee.
Mayor John Rowe, representing the Joint HRPDC and HRTPO P&B Committee, stated that the Committee recommended HRTPO Board approval of the budget. The Board unanimously approved the FY 2020 HRTPO Budget.
Mayor Rowe also stated that the Joint HRPDC and HRTPO P&B Committee recommended that Executive Director Robert Crum receive a 2.5% increase in salary as approved in the budget. He noted that all other compensation remained the same. The Board unanimously approved the Executive Director’s salary increase.
The HRTPOBoard then unanimously approved the Consent Agenda as amended.
INFORMATION ITEMS
19. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.
20. Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes.
21. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes.
22. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes.
23. Old/New Business
There was no Old/New Business.
ADJOURNMENT
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