Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board

2020 Virtual Fall SYIP Meeting

2020 Meeting Background

Chapter 1289 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly directs that the FY2020-2025 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in June 2019, as amended, will remain in effect through June 30, 2021 or until such time as a new SYIP is adopted that is based on the official Commonwealth Transportation Fund revenue forecast reflecting the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As such, the CTB did not adopt a revised SYIP by July 1 as is normally required by 33.2-214(B) of the Code of Virginia.  Previously approved projects in the amended FY2020-2025 SYIP have continued to be developed and delivered according to their schedules.

Proposed additions to Item 430 of the Budget Bill considered in the Special Session of the General Assembly provide that the CTB may use previously allocated funds not currently needed to support project delivery to mitigate impacts from the revenue reductions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and replace those allocations in the year needed to support current project schedules.  Further, the Secretary must report funding actions planned to be taken, including a listing of programs and projects impacts as well as any deviation from the proposed plan.  This plan was presented to the CTB on October 20, 2020 and may be accessed here.     

Public Comment and Participation

The public is able to provide feedback on the FY2021-2026 Six-Year Improvement Program Update at the virtual fall meeting on Nov. 24, 2020, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. When announced, public comment can be made by calling 470-285-4495, followed by PIN 392 182 855#.

Callers may be placed on hold until others in queue ahead of them have had the opportunity to speak. In the event there is an interruption in the meeting broadcast, call 804-729-6495.

Attend the Virtual Public Meeting

The public is invited to share feedback on transportation projects that have been recommended for funding through participation in a virtual public meeting or submitting comments through the online form, by email or posted mail by Dec. 3, 2020.

Online comment form

Comments will be accepted until Dec. 3, 2020. You may also submit a comment sheet for any transportation projects and initiatives to:

Plan Outline

As outlined in the presentation to the CTB, the FY2021-2026 SYIP COVID-19 Update Plan is comprised of three components:

1. Build upon actions approved to date to amend and modify the FY2020-2025

These actions include incorporation of new projects and funding adjustments for several funding programs, including Regional Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Innovation and Technology Transportation Fund, Safety, Transportation Alternatives Program, and State of Good Repair Local and VDOT Paving.

2. Execute a targeted approach focused on updating specific funding programs

These actions include proposed inclusion of new FY2021 selections for State of Good Repair Local and VDOT Bridge and Revenue Sharing. An allocation restructuring strategy will be implemented for the Revenue Sharing Program in order to utilize previously allocated funds not needed to support current project delivery needs to mitigate impacts from the revenue reductions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and replace those allocations in FY2021-2024 as necessary to support current project schedules. No existing funding commitments will be reduced and no existing projects will be delayed due to the proposed restructuring strategy. New FY2021 Revenue Sharing project selections will receive FY2025 and FY2026 allocations. The biennial solicitation cycle for Revenue Sharing will continue with future awards in the last two fiscal years of the SYIP.

3. Do NOT engage all processes and procedures of a typical SYIP

These actions include proposed inclusion of new FY2021 selections for State of Good Repair Local and VDOT Bridge and Revenue Sharing. An allocation restructuring strategy will be implemented for the Revenue Sharing Program in order to utilize previously allocated funds not needed to support current project delivery needs to mitigate impacts from the revenue reductions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and replace those allocations in FY2021-2024 as necessary to support current project schedules. No existing funding commitments will be reduced and no existing projects will be delayed due to the proposed restructuring strategy. New FY2021 Revenue Sharing project selections will receive FY2025 and FY2026 allocations. The biennial solicitation cycle for Revenue Sharing will continue with future awards in the last two fiscal years of the SYIP.

The FY2021-2026 SYIP COVID-19 Update will be presented to the CTB for approval in December. In addition, any deviation from the proposed plan presented to the CTB in October will be provided at that time.

We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the risk and spread of novel coronavirus. Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in Virginia on Thursday, March 12 in response to COVID-19. In light of this action, the Nov. 24, 2020, public meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will be conducted using electronic communications in accord with Item 4-0.01.g. of Chapter 1289 (2020 Acts of Assembly), as the COVID-19 emergency makes it impracticable or unsafe to assemble in a single location. To offer comments regarding how meetings using electronic communications technology compare to traditional meetings when the CTB is physically present, complete the FOIA Council's electronic meetings public comment form appearing at the end of this agenda, and submit it to the FOIA Council as described on the form. Public comments will be considered by the CTB as it develops the FY2021-2026 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP), which will be approved at the CTB’s December meeting. The SYIP allocates public funds to highway, road, bridge, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation projects. All federally-eligible projects in the SYIP will be included in the federally-required Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to document how Virginia will obligate its federal funds.