Virginia shifts scarce road funds to priority projects

Virginia transportation officials have proposed cuts to 113 secondary road projects totaling $156 million and 57 urban road projects worth $46 million. Only eight Interstate projects worth $106 million and 11 primary highway projects totaling $74 million were downsized.

The Trucker News Services

11/19/2009

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia transportation officials are moving hundreds of millions of dollars from secondary and urban road projects to higher priority Interstate and primary highways.

It’s an effort to use dwindling transportation revenues on high-traffic routes, particularly bridges. The Commonwealth Transportation Board votes on the revisions next month.

State highway money has declined by about $4.6 billion since spring 2008, forcing hard cuts.

On Wednesday, the board released a list of 190 proposed reductions worth $403 million through 2015.

There were cuts to 113 secondary road projects totaling $156 million and 57 urban road projects worth $46 million. Only eight Interstate projects worth $106 million and 11 primary highway projects totaling $74 million were downsized.

The Virginia Department of Transportation could not supply a similar list of priority projects due funding increases Wednesday.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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