In accordance with Item 430.P.6. of the 2020 Special Session I Budget, Chapter 56, I am reporting to you the funding actions taken by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on December 9, 2020 to help mitigate the forecasted revenue reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 24, 2020, I reported to you the funding actions planned to be taken by the CTB utilizing the flexibility provided by the referenced budget language. Attached is a report identifying the changes to the proposed actions as approved and incorporated in the FY2021 – 2026 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP).

The funding actions approved are consistent with the proposed actions previously reported to you. The final actions are related to the same list of projects; no new projects were added. However, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted in-depth reviews of each of the identified revenue sharing projects to confirm the available amounts and schedules. This due diligence resulted in minor changes incurred by factors including additional expenditures, alternative funding, and/or updated schedules impacting the timing needs for the return of the funding. These changes support our commitment to utilize this flexibility without affecting the funding levels or schedules of any project. Of the proposed $445.1 million revenue sharing project funds, the cumulative amount of all changes was a reduction of $325,327. This reduction was offset by increasing the unallocated revenue sharing funds by the same amount.

The other actions taken are consistent with those previously reported. Exercising the permitted flexibility, the transportation programs were able to be funded according to the financial plan from June 2019 (FY 2020 – 2025). These actions support our goal to keep existing projects moving forward on-time and on-budget. The remaining funding in FY2021 – 2023 is being used to phase in the commitments anticipated in the Omnibus Transportation Bill. The attached CTB presentation outlines the final actions as described.

Again, I sincerely appreciate your support for this budget flexibility which, in response to COVID-19, allows transportation projects and programs to proceed as planned – on time and on schedule. By working together, critical infrastructure improvements move forward, our workforce remains secured, and our transportation sector continues to serve as the platform for Virginia’s economy.

Respectfully,

/s/ Shannon Valentine
Secretary of Transportation