The Commonwealth Transportation Board is making Its fall rounds. Attend and weigh in if they are in your area.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) consists of 15 members from around the state who are appointed by the Governor. They make the decisions on Transportation Policy, as well as how the Transportation funds are distributed, and which projects are funded. Twice a year they host a round of meetings to receive input from the various regions. In addition to the member of the Board from somewhere near where the meeting is being held, one or two other members will be present, along with the VDOT District Administrator for that area, and some other Transportation officials. They will not do any voting at this meeting. They are strictly getting input.
Traditionally, these meetings have been the venue for the local officials from each region to request consideration for specific problems and projects in their area. The Six Year Improvement Plan (SYIP) is the long range plan containing all the projects previously approved for inclusion. Some copies of the SYIP for that District, which has a white cover and is about half as thick as a Telephone Book, may be available for attendees to take. If not, at least one will be there to review.
Some local officials may be requesting that a specific project get moved up in the SYIP. Others may just be trying to keep their favorite project where it is, or to get a new project into the plan.
If you have a favorite project, either already in the SYIP, or that you would like to get on the radar screen, sign up to speak. All speakers are allotted three minutes (loosely timed) and most concentrate on one specific project or point rather than trying to do a laundry list or philosophize.
If you can attend one of the meetings, do so, sign up, and give them your input. You’ll be interested to see what goes on there, and can help the cause by contributing your input.
You may also submit your comments in writing. Scroll down for details.
The CTB oversees not just VDOT, but also the Port of Virginia, Department of Aviation, and Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT). So if you’re concerned about “last mile” bike access to ferries, airports, buses or trains, feel free to speak about that.
What You Can Do
First, identify projects in your area that are most important to your your community. Refer to VDOT’s Six Year Improvement Program page for the projects in your area (search the database). Prepare comments on:
- Is an important project being cut or delayed that shouldn’t be?
- Is there an ongoing project that should have continued funding?
- Is there a new project, not in the SYIP, that should be considered?
- Do your local projects even follow VDOT’s own bike-ped policy? Ask the Board to pay attention to this, when they’re reviewing these projects.
Next, prepare comments about policy issues important to cyclists. For example:
- A mandatory statewide Complete Streets policy
- Mandatory bike/ped access for bridge projects
- Bike access on passenger trains, and at train stations — for example, roll-on bike racks on Amtrak, especially for the upcoming service to Roanoke.
- Bike access at airports
- Railroad support of rails-with-trails projects, and other trails on railroad property, in return for state-funded expansion of rail operations
Finally, while any relevant comment is welcome at these meetings, please review the CTB’s public comment guidelines, and behave yourself! Be the best ambassador for cyclists that you can.
Meeting Dates and Locations
- 6 – 7 p.m. – Open house displays and general discussion
- 7 p.m. – Moderated public meeting
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
VDOT Northern Virginia District Office
4975 Alliance Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
723 Woodlake Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Northside High School
6758 Northside High School Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
VDOT Central Office Auditorium
1221 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
University of Mary Washington
Stafford Campus – University Hall (North Building)
125 University Boulevard
Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center
152 Fairway Lane
Staunton, VA 24401
Monday, November 18, 2013
Germanna Community College
Daniel Technology Center
18121 Technology Drive
Culpeper, VA 22701
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Bristol Convention Center
3005 Linden Drive
Bristol, VA 24202
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Kirkley Hotel & Conference Center
2900 Candler’s Mountain Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Submit Your Comments in Writing
By Friday, December 6. 2013 — send your written comments to:
Programming Director
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
or email six-yearprogram@vdot.virginia.gov
Public Information Office
VA Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation
600 E. Main St.
Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219
or email drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov
Co-written by Bud Vye and Matt O’Toole
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