HRTPO Board Action Summary | E Newsletter Articles | News | Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization

Added on October 24, 2017

by Kathlene Grauberger, Transportation Planner

to E Newsletter Articles

Action Summary

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting

October 19, 2017

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

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:30 a.m.

2. Election of HRTPO Officers

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the following 2017-2018 slate of officers:

Mr. Thomas Shepperd – HRTPO Chair

Mayor John Rowe – HRTPO Vice-Chair

Mr. Robert Crum – HRTPO Secretary

3. Approval of Agenda

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following two amendments:

• Remove Item 15 – Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Update

• Include the City of Williamsburg’s Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside letter (handout) with Consent Agenda Item 21-I – Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Proposal Projects

4. Executive Director Report

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

• The HRTPO supports Gloucester County in its efforts to gain information regarding the Coleman Bridge, including tolling, plan of finance, and debt service.

• The HRTPO Rail and Public Transportation Task Force convened in October and are working with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), Suffolk Transit System, and the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) concerning the potential of public transportation in Hampton Roads.

5. Employee Recognition

Mr. Crum recognized Ms. Theresa Brooks for her five years of outstanding service to the HRTPO.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

6. Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Member Update

There was no CTB representative in attendance.

7. Virginia Department of Transportation Update

Mr. James Utterback reported that VDOT is focused on completing Segment 1 of the Peninsula Widening project by December of this year. He stated that VDOT has received cost proposals for the I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge project and noted that the CTB should award the contract this month with a Notice to Proceed scheduled for the middle of November.

8. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update

There was no DRPT representative in attendance.

Mayor William Sessoms requested a briefing from DRPT regarding an update on potential funding sources for completing the TIER II Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the

purpose of delivering future higher speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Hampton Roads.

9. Virginia Port Authority Update

Mr. Jeff Florin reported that the Port is currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a study to deepen the channels depth to 55 feet and noted that this study should be released at the end of the month. He stated that the Port will then immediately begin designing the channel with dredging estimated to occur in the year 2020.

10. HRT and WATA Updates

Mr. Ray Amoruso reported that HRT has briefed the City Councils of Newport News and Hampton regarding the Bus Rapid Transit Options that will move forward from the Peninsula Corridor Transit Study.

Mr. Zach Trogdon reported that he became WATA’s Executive Director in June of this year and stated that a joint retreat is planned for the WATA Board and Staff.

11. Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update

Ms. Terry Danaher reported that 10 CTAC members toured the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT) last month. She stated that at CTAC’s October meeting, the Committee discussed passenger rail, including Richmond’s Main Street Station. She also stated that CTAC has agreed to change its name from the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee to the Community Transportation Advisory Committee.

12. Military Liaisons Updates

Captain Michael Moore of the U.S. Navy expressed his appreciation to VDOT for the tour of the Tactical Operations Center.

Colonel Herbert Joliat of Joint Langley Eustis reported that NASA is having its open house on October 21st and the public is welcome to attend.

13. 2018 HRTPO Legislative Agenda: Robert Crum, HRTPO

Mr. Robert Crum briefed the HRTPO Board on the 2018 HRTPO Legislative Agenda.

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

14. State of Transportation: Keith Nichols, HRTPO

Mr. Keith Nichols briefed the HRTPO Board on the 2017 State of Transportation in Hampton Roads and noted that this report is annually produces by HRTPO staff.

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

15. INFRA Grant Proposals: Robert Crum, HRPDC

Mr. Robert Crum briefed the HRTPO Board on VDOT’s INFRA Grant request of $300 million for the “Unlocking Hampton Roads” project. The project consists of expanding the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), along with portions of I-64. The project also includes express (HOT) lanes on I-64 in Chesapeake and the possibility of future express lanes on I-64 on the Peninsula. Mr. Crum stated that the HRTPO Board has not endorsed HOT lanes west of the Coliseum and noted that the HRTPO should reiterate its position in any HRTPO action.

Mr. Crum indicated that the Board had also received INFRA Grant requests from the Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

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

16. Hampton Roads Regional Connectors Study: Robert Crum, HRTPO

Mr. Robert Crum briefed the HRTPO Board on the status of the Hampton Roads Regional Connectors Study and noted that a Policy Group had been established and a funding agreement drafted between the HRTPO and HRTAC to provide funding for the study.

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

ACTION ITEMS AGENDA

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

A Citizen from Portsmouth expressed concern regarding the allocation of tax dollars at various governmental levels.

18. Submitted Public Comments

There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet.

19. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting