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). Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2. The board is a policy board as defined by the Code of Virginia. Title 2.2, Subtitle I, Part D, Chapter 21. It has general powers and duties, including, but not limited to, the following: to locate and name highways; let contracts for construction, maintenance, and improvement of the systems of state highways; make decisions concerning the financing of transportation projects, including the administration of funds in the Transportation Trust Fund; oversee policy objectives of VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT); comply with federal acts; and enter into contracts with other states, the federal government and certain other entities created for transportation purposes. Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2.
The commissioner, as chief executive officer of VDOT, is authorized 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 provides direction and guidance to VDOT in the establishment and achievement of VDOT's core mission and other transportation objectives determined by the board. Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2. The commissioner is also authorized to execute all orders and decisions of the board and may require that all employees and appointees perform their duties as required by statute. Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2.
The core mission of VDOT is as follows: 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 based on guidance from the board or funded pursuant to § 33.2-1524; 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. Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2.
The Code of Virginia authorizes 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. Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitles I, II, and III, Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18 and Title 46.2, Subtitle III, Chapter 8.
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 (e.g., Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitles I and II, Chapters 2 and 3);
2. Use of traffic signs, signals and other devices on highways in the Commonwealth (e.g., Standards for Use Of Traffic Control Devices to Classify, Designate, Regulate, and Mark State Highways) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2 and Title 46.2, Subtitle III, Chapter 8);
3. Use of highway right-of-way under the control of the board (e.g., Land Use Permit Regulations) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2); and
4. Activities associated with requirements of federal law, or in connection with an agreement with the federal government (e.g., Rules and Regulations Governing Relocation Assistance (Code of Virginia, Title 25.1, Chapter 4 and Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2) and Rules and Regulations Governing Outdoor Advertising and Directional and Other Signs and Notices) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitles I and II, Chapters 2 and 12).
Guidance documents of the board or VDOT explain or interpret subjects such as:
1. Business operations of VDOT (e.g., VDOT Budget) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2);
2. Procedures related to administration of special-purpose funds; (e.g., Revenue Sharing Program Guidelines) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle II, Chapter 3);
3. Procurement of civil engineering contracts (e.g., Design-Build Procurement Manual) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2, § 33.2-209); and
4. Technical evaluation procedures related to highway studies (e.g., Highway Traffic Noise Impact Analysis Guidance Manual) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.2, Subtitle I, Chapter 2, § 33.2-215).
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. Internet address: http://www.virginiadot.org/.
10/2017