1 I-81 INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA Fred Altizer, Jr., P.E. Assistant to the Chief Engineer I-81 Program Manager

2 I-81 Initiatives Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions Corridor Improvement StudyCorridor Improvement Study Tolling I-81Tolling I-81 PPTAPPTA

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5 Current Conditions 325 miles – 90 interchanges325 miles – 90 interchanges Rolling and mountainous terrainRolling and mountainous terrain Traffic increased from 25,000 vpd in 1990 to 57,000 (near Roanoke) in 2003Traffic increased from 25,000 vpd in 1990 to 57,000 (near Roanoke) in 2003

6 The terrain of I-81 from Tennessee to West Virginia

7 Current Conditions Designed for 15% trucks; now 20%-40%Designed for 15% trucks; now 20%-40% One of top eight truck routes in the U.S.One of top eight truck routes in the U.S.

8 Current Conditions Diversity on I-81Diversity on I-81 – commercial – commuters – students 29 colleges and universities29 colleges and universities – recreational

9 Current Conditions Ongoing improvementsOngoing improvements –Some construction –Safety enhancements –ITS technology

10 I-81 Initiatives Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions Corridor Improvement StudyCorridor Improvement Study Tolling I-81Tolling I-81 PPTAPPTA

11 Corridor Improvement Study NEPANEPA –Launched study in January 2004 in partnership with FHWA –Includes highway and rail concepts

12 Corridor Improvement Study NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)

13 Corridor Improvement Study Tiered EIS processTiered EIS process –Tier 1: corridor- wide issues –Tier 2: site- specific issues

14 Corridor Improvement Study Tier 1 decisionsTier 1 decisions –Concepts for highway and rail Number of lanesNumber of lanes Partial or complete separation of trucks and carsPartial or complete separation of trucks and cars Defined segmentsDefined segments Additional rail capacityAdditional rail capacity –Approval to advance I-81 as a toll pilot

15 Corridor Improvement Study Tier 1 Schedule: Draft Tier 1 EIS – spring 2005Draft Tier 1 EIS – spring 2005 Public hearings – spring 2005Public hearings – spring 2005 CTB action – mid-2005CTB action – mid-2005 Final Tier 1 EIS – summer 2005Final Tier 1 EIS – summer 2005 Tier 1 ROD – summer 2005Tier 1 ROD – summer 2005

16 Corridor Improvement Study Typical Analyses in Tier 2: Land UseLand Use ParklandsParklands FarmlandsFarmlands Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials Air QualityAir Quality NoiseNoise Historical, Archaeological and Cultural ResourcesHistorical, Archaeological and Cultural Resources Natural Resources Including:Natural Resources Including: – Wetlands – Threatened and Endangered Species – Water Quality – Visual Effects

17 I-81 Initiatives Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions Corridor Improvement StudyCorridor Improvement Study Tolling I-81Tolling I-81 PPTAPPTA

18 Tolling I-81 VDOT is applying for tolling, in the event the CTB and FHWA approve major improvementsVDOT is applying for tolling, in the event the CTB and FHWA approve major improvements

19 Tolling I-81 March 5, 2003 – VDOT submitted application to FHWA under Section 1216(b) of TEA-21March 5, 2003 – VDOT submitted application to FHWA under Section 1216(b) of TEA-21 Requested approval for I-81 to participate in the Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot ProgramRequested approval for I-81 to participate in the Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program 3 slots available nationwide3 slots available nationwide

20 Tolling I-81 March 27, FHWA granted “conditional provisional acceptance” of applicationMarch 27, FHWA granted “conditional provisional acceptance” of application October FHWA and VDOT began working on actions needed for “provisional” approvalOctober FHWA and VDOT began working on actions needed for “provisional” approval Provisional approval expected in 2005, at end of Tier 1 of current environmental studyProvisional approval expected in 2005, at end of Tier 1 of current environmental study

21 Tolling I-81 Actions Needed Prior to Final Approval MPO ConsultationMPO Consultation Pilot Study Work PlanPilot Study Work Plan NEPA Process, Tier 1NEPA Process, Tier 1 Environmental Scoping AnalysisEnvironmental Scoping Analysis Basic Financial PlanBasic Financial Plan Project Management PlanProject Management Plan Public Involvement PlanPublic Involvement Plan Agreement(s) between FHWA and VDOTAgreement(s) between FHWA and VDOT

22 I-81 Tolling Issues Virginia law allows tolls only on trucksVirginia law allows tolls only on trucks TEA-21 allows states to decide who and how much to tollTEA-21 allows states to decide who and how much to toll FHWA says toll revenue from I-81 cannot be used to enhance rail capacityFHWA says toll revenue from I-81 cannot be used to enhance rail capacity

23 I-81 Initiatives Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions Corridor Improvement StudyCorridor Improvement Study Tolling I-81Tolling I-81 PPTAPPTA

24 PPTA Public Private Transportation Act of 1995 Under PPTA, a Virginia purchasing law, VDOT solicited proposals to design, build, maintain and/or operate all or parts of I-81Under PPTA, a Virginia purchasing law, VDOT solicited proposals to design, build, maintain and/or operate all or parts of I-81 March 5, Commissioner directed VDOT to begin negotiations with STARMarch 5, Commissioner directed VDOT to begin negotiations with STAR I-81 Corridor Improvement Study will help determine what can be builtI-81 Corridor Improvement Study will help determine what can be built

25 PPTA Negotiating a comprehensive agreementNegotiating a comprehensive agreement NEPA provides the basis for the decision-makersNEPA provides the basis for the decision-makers

26 ? Thank you.