SD9 - Executive Summary of the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Role of the Commonwealth and Its Agencies in Meeting Virginia's Future Transportation Needs


    Executive Summary:
    JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY THE ROLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND ITS AGENCIES IN MEETING VIRGINIA'S FUTURE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
    (SJR 60, 2006)

    The committee held three meetings during the 2006 interim. The first was on September 8 at George Mason University and the co-chairmen, The Honorable Martin E. Williams and The Honorable Leo C. Wardrup, Jr., stated the purpose of the joint subcommittee: to determine what the 21st century Virginia Department of Transportation should look like and emphasized that this was not a committee to analyze current funding. Chairman Williams stated that administrative recommendations and legislative changes were necessary in order to maximize VDOT's efficiency. The second meeting was on October 13 at Old Dominion University, and the third was held on November 27 in the General Assembly Building.

    At the first meeting, the members heard from the Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The importance of Northern Virginia's economy to the Commonwealth was emphasized and it was urged that the localities be given more decision-making and implementation powers. VDOT officials spoke to the members on the highway construction process from conception to construction and the VDOT organizational structure and budget. The members learned that the Department is already becoming more of a manager while the localities elect to take on their own projects and that the majority of projects currently are federally funded and were informed that efforts were currently underway to outsource responsibilities. It was also stated that the largest portion of the VDOT FY 2006 budget went towards maintenance.

    At the second meeting, Commissioner Ekern spoke to the members about initiatives and policy developments facing the nation's transportation agencies and stated that VDOT was evolving into a more mobility focused, customer-oriented, and performance driven agency. The members were briefed on VDOT maintenance and operations functions and the rapidly rising costs of all aspects of highway system maintenance. The members learned of the increased use of an asset management system to predict maintenance needs and allocate maintenance resources both functionally and geographically.

    At the third meeting, members were updated on the consolidation of VDOT maintenance facilities and interstate outsourcing. The members learned of the target reduction of facilities from 335 to 244 with approximately 600 positions being impacted and an expected $4 million reduction in costs. Interstate outsourcing has begun with two portions of Interstate 64 having been rewarded, with the rest being awarded within two years. This outsourcing is expected to produce an $8.9 million reduction in costs.

    During the 2006 interim, the joint subcommittee has been successful in assessing the current state of the Virginia Department of Transportation and its needs by hearing from VDOT officials and other key groups and entities who have a stake in the future of transportation in Virginia. The joint subcommittee's mandate under Senate Joint Resolution 60 of 2006 expires in November, 2007. The committee does not plan to submit a formal report to the 2007 Session, nor does it plan to propose any legislation. However, members of the committee will continue to study and analyze Virginia's current transportation policies and pursue an array of options to create a more streamlined and efficient Department of Transportation.