RESOLUTION
OF THE
COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD
MOTION
Made By: Seconded By:
Action:
Title: Location Approval for
the Interstate 64/High Rise Bridge Corridor Study
WHEREAS, the Interstate 64/High Rise Bridge Corridor Study
was documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) and approved by
the Federal Highway Administration on October 6, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the alternatives retained for detailed analysis in
the EA include a no build alternative and the following Candidate Build
Alternatives:
·
Alternative 1:
Adding two general purpose lanes to the facility in each direction, including
the construction of a new bridge and eventual replacement of the existing
bridge.
·
Alternative 2:
Adding two lanes to the facility in each direction, including the construction
of a new bridge and eventual replacement of existing bridge. Existing and
proposed capacity could accommodate multimodal options and/or contain
toll/passenger management provisions.
WHEREAS, under Alternative 2, the EA management options include
analysis of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) option (one lane in each direction
dedicated to HOV), a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) option (all new capacity managed
as HOT lanes), and an all tolled option (all capacity tolled); and
WHEREAS, both Candidate Build Alternatives consider a single
bridge alignment, with one new bridge built south of the existing structure and
a second bridge built on existing alignment; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Highway
Administration are in agreement that the EA includes analysis of the
appropriate range of bridge heights and that the final height will be
determined through the U.S. Coast Guard permitting process and need not be identified
as part of the location or NEPA decision; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the statutes of the Commonwealth
of Virginia and policies of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), a
Location Public Hearing was held on November 6, 2014 at the Tidewater Community
College Portsmouth Campus for the purpose of considering the proposed transportation
improvement concepts; and
WHEREAS, proper notice was given in advance, and all those
present were given a full opportunity to express their opinions and recommendations
regarding the proposed improvements as presented, and their statements being
duly recorded; and
WHEREAS, on November 20, 2014, the Hampton Roads
Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) Board was briefed on the study;
and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2015, the Hampton Roads
Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) Board was briefed on the
study; and
WHEREAS, the economic, social, and environmental effects of
the proposed project have been examined and given proper consideration, and this
evidence, along with all other, has been carefully reviewed; and
WHEREAS,
FHWA will not issue a NEPA decision until funds for the project are identified
in the HRTPO Long-Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement
Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Preferred Alternative for this project be
approved as Alternative 2, addition of two additional lanes of capacity in each
direction including the construction of a new bridge and eventual replacement
of existing bridge, with a decision as to the management option to be made at a
later date.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CTB shall be briefed on and have the opportunity
to determine the future management option(s) once additional studies and
financial analyses have been concluded.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CTB encourages HRTPO and HRTAC to work with VDOT
to identify funding for inclusion in the HRTPO planning documents and to
determine the appropriate management option for the corridor.
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