Action Summary

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting

September 19, 2019

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

Held Concurrently with the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission

1.  Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 12:33 p.m.

2.      Approval of Agenda

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda as written. 

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

There were no public comments.

ACTION ITEMS

 4.       Approval of HRTPO Consent Agenda

A.  FY 2020 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Amendment

B.  FY 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment Request:  UPC 110803 – Cleveland Street – Phase IV in Virginia Beach

C.  FY 2018-2021 TIP Amendment Request: UPC 15827 – Holland Road Widening in Virginia Beach

D.  FY 2018-2021 TIP Revision:  Request to Transfer CMAQ Funding: UPC 102972 and UPC 84366 – First Colonial Road/Laskin Road Intersection Improvements in Virginia Beach and Indian River Road/Kempsville Road Intersection Improvements in Virginia Beach

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda.

5.  I-64 Regional Express Lanes Update (Concurrent with the HRTAC)

Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director, stated that following discussion at the July 18, 2019 HRTPO Board meeting, HRTPO and VDOT staff worked collaboratively to provide information to assist Board members on a decision regarding the I-64 Regional Express Lanes.

Mr. Mike Kimbrel, HRTPO Deputy Executive Director, reported that HRTPO staff modeled system performance in 2040 using a baseline scenario (all new capacity at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and High-Rise Bridge projects as General Purpose lanes) and a Managed Lanes Network scenario.

Preliminary results of the 2040 analysis included:

• Baseline Scenario severely congested by 2040
• Managed Lanes (HOT-2) Network provides reliable trips for:

• High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOV-2)
• Single-Occupancy Vehicles willing to pay toll
• Transit Vehicles

• Managed Lanes scenario does not induce traffic diversion to local roadways in Hampton

Mr. Stephen Brich, VDOT Commissioner, reported that VDOT staff modeled system performance based on the HRBT opening year of 2025 using its proposed scenario of a managed lane network.  He indicated that the entrance into the express lanes has been moved from LaSalle Avenue to Mercury Boulevard, with the potential to move it further west to Jefferson Avenue.  Maps were presented to illustrate that traffic was less congested with the construction of the I-64 Regional Express Lanes.  Mr. Brich suggested working with the contractor who is currently constructing the High-Rise Bridge to discuss the ability of creating a HOT part-time shoulder lane as timing is crucial.  He stated VDOT plans to analyze hours of operation and tolling policy and will brief the Board at the October 17, 2019 meeting. 

Chair Sheppard expressed his appreciation to the staffs of the HRTPO and VDOT for their comprehensive analyses.  He requested Board members be prepared to discuss finances regarding the HOT part-time shoulder lane on the High-Rise Bridge and a tolling policy at the next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT