With the safety and wellbeing of our community and our employees in mind, some of the staff of the Regional Commission will be out of the office for the next two weeks. This is in response
Governor Northam’s request for social distancing and teleworking and the Regional Commission’s COVID-19 Response Plan. Staff will be checking emails and teleworking from home during this time. Everyone please stay healthy as we all work through this health emergency.
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COVID-19 Business Survey and Resources
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RIDE Solutions Offers Telework Help to Business in the Region
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The Commission's RIDE Solutions program, as the region’s Commuter Assistance Program, can help you and your business community set up telework programs quickly and tap into free resources to get employees online and productive. As always, RIDE Solutions' support is absolutely free of charge to both employers and employees – as a program of the Commission funded in part by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, their mission is to assist employers in addressing mobility challenges – including the challenges of moving people during a pandemic.
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Here are a few things RIDE Solutions has provided so far:
RIDE Solutions can provide one-on-one assistance, in person or by phone/teleconference, to you and other organizations seeking to start a telework program. If you need assistance, please contact the RIDE Solutions Program Director, Jeremy Holmes, at
jholmes@rvarc.org or 540-342-9393.
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RVTPO Allocates Money to Transportation Alternatives Projects
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On February 27, the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO) allocated $541,036 to three Transportation Alternative projects:
- 9th Street Multimodal Improvements in the City of Roanoke - RVTPO will contribute $241,036 of the $625,000 total cost to add a pedestrian signal, ADA accommodations, a crossing with refuge island, and curb extension/realignment on 9th Street SE between Jamison Avenue and Highland Avenue.
- Glade Creek Greenway in the Town of Vinton – RVTPO will contribute $200,000 of the $476,000 total cost to construct a 10-foot wide paved trail from Gearhart Park to Walnut Avenue.
- Roanoke River Greenway, Parkway Crossing in Roanoke County – RVTPO will contribute $100,000 of the $708,258 total cost to construct 0.30 miles of the Roanoke River Greenway along Highland Road underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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The Feds
Are
Aren’t Coming!
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Every four years, federal agencies review RVTPO regulatory compliance. Instead of the usual public meeting, the RVTPO invites the public to comment at this
survey link. The RVTPO and the federal team appreciate your input!
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Release of Draft RVTPO FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program for Public Comment
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On April 2
nd
, the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO) will open a 15-day public comment period to afford the public an opportunity to review the Draft FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Just like a capital improvements program, the TIP lists the Roanoke Valley’s regionally significant transportation projects that will use federal funding over the next four years. The Virginia Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation initiate updates of a Metropolitan Planning Organization’s TIP routinely every three years. As such, the current FY 2018-2021 TIP was adopted in 2017.
Due to the recent events surrounding the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, public locations, like the Regional Commission where the document can normally be reviewed, are closed in accordance with Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control recommendations. As a result, beginning Thursday, April 2
nd
, the Draft FY 2021-2024 TIP may be reviewed electronically at
www.rvarc.org
. Additionally, the public may provide input on the projects by taking a survey at the same website address. A hard copy of the Draft TIP document will be made available upon request.
Written comments may be submitted to Bryan Hill, 313 Luck Avenue, SW, Roanoke, VA 24016 or via e-mail
bhill@rvarc.org
by 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2020. Comments may also be made in person at an official public hearing which will be held after the end of the public comment period at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the RVTPO Policy Board.
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Your Representation. Your Community Funding. Your Civic Duty.
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The 2020 Census is happening now. You can respond online, by phone, or by mail.
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#Census2020 #VACompleteCount #CountOnVirginia
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Are you interested in seeing current Census 2020 response rate in your area? Click the map below for up to date information.
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The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission is always working with localities on projects that benefit the region. Some of these projects are listed below.
- Alleghany Highlands Trail and Greenway Inventory
- Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 5-Year Update
- Regional Housing Study: Franklin and Roanoke Counties, and the Cities of Roanoke and Salem
- Economic Impact of the Roanoke Higher Education Center
- Rural Bikeway Plan
- Local Food Plan
- Operation of Zagster bike-share in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton
- Promotion and access improvements for the Roanoke River Blueway
- Work with regional local foods partners to examine "Food Hub" needs in the region
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