COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD SETS PUBLIC MEETINGS

COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD SETS PUBLIC MEETINGS

FOR UPDATING SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

RICHMOND – Nine public meetings will be held throughout the state this fall so that citizens may review and comment on potential (“candidate”) transportation projects and programs to be included in the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s (CTB) Six-Year Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009-2014. CTB members will host the meetings, and representatives of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will be present to provide information and answer questions.

Candidate projects include interstate highway, primary road, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation initiatives. These projects and programs will emphasize improvements to Virginia’s transportation system in the areas of safety, bridges, congestion and major maintenance. Displays and handouts at the meetings will describe the projects and programs. Citizens and officials are encouraged to attend and provide input to the CTB for its consideration in updating the Six-Year Improvement Program.

Verbal and written comments will be accepted throughout the meetings. The agenda is as follows:

· 5-6 p.m. – Briefing for public officials

· 6-6:30 p.m. – Open house and general discussion

· 6:30 p.m. – Moderated public meeting

A draft of the new Six-Year Improvement Program will be available next spring, and public hearings will be held before the program is finalized by July 1, 2008.

Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting closest to them. Dates and locations are as follows:

Oct. 9

Chesapeake Conference Center

900 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake 23320

Oct. 15

Augusta Government Center

4801 Lee Highway, Verona 24482

Oct. 16

Greater Richmond Convention Center

403 North 3rd St., Richmond 23219

Oct. 23

Southwest Virginia Community College

369 College Road, Richlands 24641

Oct. 24

Salem Civic Center

1001 Boulevard, Salem 24153

Oct. 29

The Kirkley Hotel

2900 Candler’s Mountain Road, Lynchburg 24502

Oct. 30

Stafford County Government Center

1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford 22555

Nov. 1

Virginia Department of Transportation District Office

1601 Orange Road, Culpeper 22701

Nov. 13

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax 22035

During the comment period, individuals may speak for up to three minutes. Groups and organizations each should designate one member to speak. Those who cannot attend may send comments after the meeting for up to 10 calendar days to:

Public Information Office

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

1313 E. Main St., Suite 300

Richmond, VA 23219

DRPTPR@DRPT.Virginia.gov

Programming Director

Virginia Department of Transportation

1401 E. Broad St.

Richmond, VA 23219

Six-YearProgram@VDOT.Virginia.gov

For more information, go to www.VirginiaDOT.org or www.DRPT.Virginia.gov.