The Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee has conducted six bike, walk, and disability audits of roads. Locality staff meet with committee members and walk, bike, or wheel a few blocks of a road, taking notes of issues they experience and chatting about possible solutions. Since October, the committee has audited:

Locality staff have initiated repairs and incorporated suggestions into repaving projects and capital projects that were already funded.

To learn more, visit http://rvarc.org/transportation/bicycle-pedestrian-greenways/bicycle-advisory-committee/bike-ped-committee-activities/bike-walk-disability-audits/

On Monday, March 25th, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) hosted the Division of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and AECOM for a Vanpool 101 workshop. The workshop was attended by professionals from across multiple regions. 

 

Vanpools are a group of commuters that share a ride to and from work in a shared 7-15 passenger vehicle. Vanpools are similar to a carpool, but on a larger scale with concurrent savings in fuel and vehicle operating costs. As vanpool begins to grow throughout the state, DRPT has been working with AECOM to explore options for implementation through Transportation Demand Management (TDM) agencies like RIDE Solutions. 

Throughout the workshop, attendees learned about the basic requirements of running a vanpool program. Participants were presented elements that lead to successful vanpool programs such as; innovative partnerships, employer involvement, and a guaranteed ride home program.  

During the presentation, implementation strategies were presented for the three major regions covered by the RIDE Solutions program; New River Valley, Roanoke Valley, and Central Virginia.

For more information, contact Tim Pohlad-Thomas at [email protected].

Governor Ralph Northam today announced amendments to Senate Bill 1716 and House Bill 2718, legislation passed by the General Assembly providing $151 million in dedicated funding for the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan. The amendments would ensure that the $2 billion program approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in December 2018 is implemented, while also generating critical revenue for interstates across the Commonwealth.

The amendments create equity in transportation funding by bringing Virginia’s truck registration fees, and diesel and road tax rates more in line with those of the other states along the 855-mile I-81 corridor. The funding mechanisms also include a 2.1 percent increase in the regional motor fuels tax along the I-81 corridor, ensuring all users contribute to funding I-81. 

These amendments establish dedicated funding for I-81 and Virginia’s other interstates, including I-95, I-64, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). While $151 million will be invested in I-81, I-95 will receive $40 million, I-64 will receive $28 million, $20 million will go to the NVTA, and $43 million is reserved for investment in other interstates as prioritized by the CTB.

“This year I worked closely with Democratic and Republican legislators to reach a long-term agreement that would address the critical safety and reliability issues along the I-81 corridor and make historic investments in the economic competitiveness of this vital region of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “We can’t wait another year to find a solution—I am pleased to offer amendments that will establish dedicated funding sources to support improvements that will lead to a major reduction in crashes and travel delays.”

For more information, view Governor Northam's Press Release.