Action Summary
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting
September 17, 2015
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:40 a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
The Board approved the agenda.
3. Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert A Crum Jr. provided a brief summary of work activities to the HRTPO Board.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
4. Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update
Mr. John Malbon reported that at the most recent CTB meeting, a contract was awarded to Corman/E.V. Williams for the Military Highway continuous flow intersection project with a cost of nearly $60 million dollars. He stated that, to date, there are 141 HB2 applications with a total request of nearly $1.8 billion dollars. Mr. Malbon mentioned that the total funds available for the current HB2 cycle is approximately $1.2 billion dollars.
5. Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. James Utterback reported that the ground breaking ceremony occurred recently on the I-64 Peninsula Widening Project - Segment 1, with construction commencing on September 13, 2015. He stated that crews have begun work on the shoulder of the interstate with additional work on the median slated for November of this year. Mr. Utterback mentioned that a contract is set to be awarded on the I-64 Peninsula Widening Project – Segment 2 in December of 2015. Also, the I-64 and I-264 pavement rehabilitation projects on the Southside will be completed in late October or early November of 2015.
6. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update
Mr. Chris Arabia shared that the application period for private sector businesses that are looking to start or expand telework programs began on September 1, 2015 and runs through October 31, 2015. The website for the program is teleworkva.org. He announced that the upcoming week was “try transit week” and encouraged everyone to participate.
DRPT, at the request of Mayor Fraim, agreed to provide an update to the HRTPO Board at the October 15, 2015 meeting concerning trains 2 and 3 out of Norfolk and a clarification on the HB2 process as it relates to DRPT funding.
7. Military Liaisons Updates
Captain Pat Rios reported that the Department of the Navy issued a construction license for the I-64 Intermodal Connector and thanked the City of Norfolk Public Works Department for their response to a safety issue on Hampton Boulevard.
8. Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission Update
Mr. Kevin Page reported that he will be providing a monthly update to the HRTPO Board to enhance communications and cohesion between the HRTAC and HRTPO as well as to share information and activities.
9. HB2: HRTPO Project Proposals & Resolutions of Support
Mr. Mike Kimbrel briefed the HRTPO Board on the staff recommended projects for submission by the HRTPO under the HB2 prioritization process. He also briefed the HRTPO Board on the requests for resolutions of support for projects to be submitted by localities and transit agencies. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #15-L.
10. Status of Air Quality Rules for Ozone
Mr. Tom Ballou briefed the HRTPO Board on the status of air quality rules and potential impacts to Hampton Roads.
Mr. Crum presented a draft letter from the HRTPO to the DEQ which was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #15-M.
11. Mode Choices of Millennials – How Different? How Enduring?
Dr. Robert Case reported to the HRTPO Board on the transportation mode choices of the Millennial generation and the likelihood of change in those mode choices as the generation ages. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #15-N.
ACTION ITEMS AGENDA
12. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Norfolk commented on the Connect Hampton Roads initiative and the need for a multimodal, alternative transport, and shared system that is ecological and environmentally sustainable.
A citizen from Portsmouth expressed gratitude to the Council of the City of Virginia Beach for their recent purchase of light rail cars. He announced that the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Elizabeth River Trail was set for September 18, 2015 and thanked those responsible for the project. He stated his opposition of any deferral for ozone standards in Hampton Roads.
13. Submitted Public Comments
There were two submitted public comments.
14. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting
This item was for informational purposes.
15. Approval of Consent Items
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items.
16. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.
17. Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes.
18. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes.
19. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes.
20. Old/New Business
Mayor Fraim announced that the HRTPO Board Nominating Committee meeting is set for September 24, 2015 at 2:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT