Va. transportation projects to follow new process for funding
Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said the Commonwealth has $1 billion for transportation this year, with $7 billion worth of projects submitted. The projects will be ranked early next year by how much they help improve safety, congestion and other factors, Layne told the Virginia Governorês Transportation Conference recently, according to the Virginian-Pilot. That process should result in a more objective funding process, said Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
McAuliffe also said the state needs to make technological innovations, such as drones, a more central part of its economy and lessen its reliance on federal money. Key to that change is building an effective transportation network. And the governor wants the state to be a leader in driverless technology. Researchers at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia have demonstrated a pilot program with connected vehicles and smart roads.
The conferenceês focus was much broader than maintaining and expanding roadways. Participants discussed building a multimodal network with light rail, commuter rail, high-speed rail and expansion of Amtrak.
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