24VAC30. Department of Transportation
VAC AGENCY NO. 30
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AGENCY SUMMARY
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is an executive branch agency under the supervision and management of the Commissioner of Highways and responsible to the Secretary of Transportation, who serves as Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (board) pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 33.2-200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the. The board is a policy board as defined by Chapter 21 (§ 2.2-2100 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.. The board's general powers and duties include to locating and naming highways; letting contracts for construction, maintenance, and improvement of the systems of state highways; making decisions concerning the financing of transportation projects, including the administration of funds in the Transportation Trust Fund; overseeing policy objectives of VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT); complying with federal acts; and entering into contracts with other states, the federal government, and certain other entities created for transportation purposes.
The commissioner, as chief executive officer of VDOT, is authorized by Chapter 2 (§ 33.2-200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia to perform all acts necessary or convenient for constructing, improving, maintaining, and preserving the efficient operation of the roads comprising the state system of highways and to provide direction and guidance to VDOT in the establishment and achievement of VDOT's core mission and other transportation objectives determined by the board. The commissioner is also charged with the duty of executing all orders and decisions of the board and may require that all employees and appointees perform their duties as required by statute.
Pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 33.2-200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia, the core mission of VDOT is to maintain and operate the system of state highways; to develop, oversee, and manage highway projects included in the Six-Year Improvement Program pursuant to § 33.2-214 of the Code of Virginia based on guidance from the board or funded pursuant to § 33.2-1524 of the Code of Virginia; and to ensure the safety of the traveling public on the system of state highways. VDOT is also charged with implementing and enforcing the policies and regulations of the board.
Chapter 4 (§ 25.1-400 et seq.) of Title 25.1; Chapters 2 (§ 33.2-200 et seq.) through 6 (§ 33.2-600 et seq.), 8 (§ 33.2-800 et seq.) through 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.), and 15 (§ 33.2-1500 et seq.) through 18 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 33.2; and Chapter 8 (§ 46.2-800 et seq.) of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia authorize the board, VDOT, or the commissioner to promulgate regulations, establish guidelines, administer programs, or take other actions related to transportation. This authority may be granted under general powers or may be granted in connection with a specific subject.
Regulations of the board or VDOT generally deal with the following subjects:
1. Application of civil engineering concepts to the design, planning, and delivery of construction or maintenance projects;
2. Use of traffic signs, signals, and other devices on highways in the Commonwealth;
3. Use of highway right-of-way under the control of the board; and
4. Activities associated with requirements of federal law or in connection with an agreement with the federal government.
Guidance documents of the board or VDOT explain or interpret subjects such as:
1. Operations of VDOT;
2. Procedures related to administration of special-purpose funds;
3. Specialized project and services procurements; and
4. Technical evaluation procedures related to highway studies.
Regulations are available in the Governance and Legislative Affairs Division in the department's principal office at 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Copies will be furnished upon written or oral request; if more than one copy is requested, a fee of $.15 per page is charged. Some of the regulations may also be found at the agency's district offices, located in or near Bristol, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Salem, Staunton, Petersburg, Suffolk, and Fairfax, and at its residency offices throughout the Commonwealth.
Locally applicable speed and other traffic regulations are indicated by highway signs and markers. The department's website can be found at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/ .
Rev. 07/2024