Virginia Law

The Board shall have a total membership of 17 members that shall consist of 14 nonlegislative citizen members and three ex officio members as follows: the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways, and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed by the Governor as provided in § 33.2-201, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Appointments of nonlegislative citizen members shall be for terms of four years commencing on July 1, upon the expiration of the terms of the existing members, respectively. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term and shall be effective until 30 days after the next meeting of the ensuing General Assembly and, if confirmed, thereafter for the remainder of the term. No nonlegislative citizen member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining that member's eligibility for reappointment. Ex officio members of the Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office.

The Secretary shall serve as chairman of the Board and shall have voting privileges only in the event of a tie. The senior nonlegislative citizen member shall serve as vice-chairman of the Board and shall preside during the absence of the chairman. In the event that more than one nonlegislative citizen member of the Board may be considered the senior nonlegislative citizen member, the Board shall elect the vice-chairman from such senior nonlegislative citizen members. The Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Commissioner of Highways shall not have voting privileges.

Code 1950, c. 87, § 33-1; 1956; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-1; 1974, c. 462; 1984, c. 748; 1985, c. 448; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1990, cc. 1, 317; 1995, cc. 195, 223; 1999, cc. 636, 673; 2011, cc. 36, 152; 2013, cc. 762, 794; 2014, c. 805; 2015, cc. 374, 684.

Of the members appointed to the Board, one member shall be a resident of the territory now included in the Bristol highway construction district, one in the Salem highway construction district, one in the Lynchburg highway construction district, one in the Staunton highway construction district, one in the Culpeper highway construction district, one in the Fredericksburg highway construction district, one in the Richmond highway construction district, one in the Hampton Roads highway construction district, and one in the Northern Virginia highway construction district. The remaining five members shall be appointed from the Commonwealth at large, provided that at least two reside in urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000 and are designated as urban at-large members and at least two reside outside urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000 and are designated as rural at-large members. The at-large members shall be appointed to represent rural and urban transportation needs and to be mindful of the concerns of seaports and seaport users, airports and airport users, railways and railway users, and mass transit and mass transit users. Each appointed member of the Board shall be primarily mindful of the best interest of the Commonwealth at large instead of the interests of the highway construction district from which chosen or of the transportation interest represented.

No member of a governing body of a locality shall be eligible, during the term of office for which he was elected or appointed, to serve as an appointed member of the Board.

Code 1950, § 33-2; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-2; 1974, c. 462; 1982, c. 487; 1984, c. 748; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 2000, c. 49; 2014, c. 805; 2018, c. 828.

The Board shall meet at least once every three months and at such other times, on the call of the chairman or of a majority of the members, as may be deemed necessary to transact such business as may properly be brought before it. Six members shall constitute a quorum of the Board for all purposes. For a transportation project valued in excess of $25 million that is located wholly within a single highway construction district, the Board shall hold at least one hearing in the highway construction district where such project being considered is located to discuss such project prior to a meeting at which a vote to program funds pursuant to § 33.2-214 for such project will be taken.

It shall be the duty of the Board to keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Board, in which shall be set forth all acts and proceedings of the Board in carrying out the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, § 33-5; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-6; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805; 2016, c. 367.

All salaries and expenses of the Board shall be paid from the state treasury out of the annual appropriation for the Board. Warrants for such salaries and expenses shall be issued by the Comptroller on certificates of the Commissioner of Highways to the parties entitled thereto and shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the funds appropriated for that purpose.

Code 1950, § 33-10; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-10; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805.

The main office of the Board, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall be located in the City of Richmond. In the discretion of the Commissioner of Highways, other offices of the Department of Transportation may be established in the various highway construction districts of the Commonwealth as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, § 33-6; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-7; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

Each member of the Board shall, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, take an oath that he will faithfully and honestly execute the duties of the office during his term and each shall be bonded in accordance with § 2.2-1840, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties.

Code 1950, § 33-9; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-9; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 152.

No member of the Board or the Commissioner of Highways shall be required to leave his office for the purpose of testifying in any suit, action, or other civil proceeding involving any of his official duties, but the deposition of any member of the Board or the Commissioner of Highways may be taken at the main office of the Board in Richmond, after reasonable notice in writing has been given to the adverse party.

Any deposition taken pursuant to this section may be read in the pending suit, action, or other civil proceeding. However, on motion to the court, filed at least 10 days before the commencement of the trial, the judge may, for good cause shown, require any member of the Board or the Commissioner of Highways to attend and testify ore tenus.

Code 1950, § 33-3.1; 1966, c. 369; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-4; 1974, c. 462; 1995, cc. 195, 223; 2014, c. 805.

The chairman of the Board shall, with the aid and advice of the Auditor of Public Accounts, cause to be maintained a complete and modern system of bookkeeping for the Department, and the books to be kept by the Department shall show in detail all receipts and disbursements of the Department, the source of such receipts, and the purpose, amount, and recipient of all disbursements.

Code 1950, § 33-14; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-14; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to locate and establish the routes to be followed by the highways comprising the systems of state highways between the points designated in the establishment of such systems, except that such routes shall not include highways or streets located within any local system of highways or streets, within the urban highway system, or those local highways in any county that has resumed full responsibility for all of the secondary state highway system within such county's boundaries pursuant to § 33.2-342. Such routes to be located and established shall include corridors of statewide significance pursuant to § 33.2-353.

B. The Board shall not locate and establish any route pursuant to this section until the Department has (i) published in a newspaper that is published or has a general circulation in the locality in which the route is to be located and established a notice of its willingness to hold a public hearing on the matter, (ii) notified the governing body of the locality in which the route is to be located of its willingness to hold a public hearing on the matter, and (iii) held a public hearing if one has been requested.

If a public hearing is requested, written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the hearing to the governing body of the locality in which the route is to be located and established. Not less than 30 days prior to the hearing, a notice of the time and place of the hearing shall also be published by the Department at least once in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the locality in which the route is to be located and established.

All public hearings on the location or possible location of a route shall be open forums that afford citizens opportunities to obtain route location information and other pertinent information on a proposed project and to submit their hearing comments in writing or to present them directly to a verbatim recorder. In addition, upon the written request of a member of the governing body of the locality in which the route is proposed to be located, or upon the written request of 25 citizens, these public hearings shall afford citizens an opportunity to present their comments to representatives of the Department directly, one speaker at a time, in a public forum following a traditional hearing format. A written request for a traditional hearing must be received within 14 days following the first published notice of the hearing or willingness to hold a hearing.

Following the public hearing, if one is held as provided in this section, the Department shall notify the governing body of the affected locality of the Board's decision regarding the location and establishment of the route.

Code 1950, §§ 33-12, 33-17; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, §§ 33.1-12, 33.1-18; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, cc. 44, 167; 1995, c. 94; 2000, c. 489; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to let all contracts to be administered by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the highways comprising systems of state highways and for all activities related to passenger and freight rail and public transportation in excess of $5 million. The Commissioner of Highways has authority to let all Department of Transportation-administered contracts for highway construction, maintenance, and improvements up to $5 million in value. The Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation has the authority to let contracts for passenger and freight rail and public transportation improvements up to $5 million in value. The Commissioner of Highways is authorized to enter into agreements with localities, authorities, and transportation districts to administer projects and to allow those localities, authorities, and transportation districts to let contracts with no limit on contract value and without prior concurrence of the Commissioner of Highways or the Board for highway construction, maintenance, and improvements within their jurisdictions, in accordance with those provisions of this Code providing those localities, authorities, and transportation districts the ability to let such contracts. The Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation is authorized to enter into agreements with localities, authorities, and transportation districts to administer projects and to allow those localities, authorities, and transportation districts to let contracts with no limit on contract value and without prior concurrence of the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation or the Board for passenger and freight rail and public transportation activities within their jurisdictions, in accordance with those provisions of this Code providing those localities, authorities, and transportation districts the ability to let such contracts. The Commissioner of Highways and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall report on their respective transportation contracting activities at least quarterly to the Board.

B. The Board may award contracts for the construction of transportation projects on a design-build basis. These contracts may be awarded after a written determination is made by the Commissioner of Highways or the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, pursuant to objective criteria previously adopted by the Board regarding the use of design-build, that delivery of the projects must be expedited and that it is not in the public interest to comply with the design and construction contracting procedures normally followed. Such objective criteria shall include requirements for prequalification of contractors and competitive bidding processes. These contracts shall be of such size and scope to encourage maximum competition and participation by agency prequalified and otherwise qualified contractors. Such determination shall be retained for public inspection in the official records of the Department of Transportation or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, as the case may be, and shall include a description of the nature and scope of the project and the reasons for the Commissioner's or the Director's determination that awarding a design-build contract will best serve the public interest. A Request for Proposal for transportation projects to be delivered on a design-build basis pursuant to this section may allow for the submission and consideration of alternative technical concepts in accordance with the procedures set forth in such Request for Proposal. The provisions of this section shall supersede contrary provisions of subsection D of § 2.2-4303.

For the purposes of this subsection, "alternative technical concepts" means proposed changes to agency-supplied base design configurations, project scope, design, or construction criteria that provide a solution that is equal to or better than the requirements in the Request for Proposal.

C. The Board may award contracts for the provision of equipment, materials, and supplies to be used in construction of transportation projects on a fixed-price basis. Any such contract may provide that the price to be paid for the provision of equipment, materials, and supplies to be furnished in connection with the projects shall not be increased but shall remain fixed until completion of the projects specified in the contracts. Material components of any such contract for annual and multiyear programs, including maintenance, may be fixed at the outset of the projects and until completion based on best achievable prices.

Code 1950, § 33-12; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-12; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805; 2016, cc. 139, 369; 2017, cc. 699, 704.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to make regulations that are not in conflict with the laws of the Commonwealth for the protection of and covering traffic on and for the use of systems of state highways and shall have the authority to add to, amend, or repeal such regulations.

B. The regulations, together with any additions or amendments thereto, prescribed by the Board under the authority of this section shall have the force and effect of law, and any person, firm, or corporation violating any such regulation or any addition or amendment thereto is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense. Such person shall be civilly liable to the Commonwealth for the actual damage sustained by the Commonwealth by reason of his wrongful act. Such damages may be recovered at the suit of the Board and, when collected, paid into the state treasury to the credit of the Department. Any regulations promulgated by the Board shall be developed in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) except when specifically exempted by law.

Code 1950, §§ 33-12, 33-18; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, §§ 33.1-12, 33.1-19; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2010, cc. 17, 51; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805.

Copies of regulations of the Board and of additions or amendments thereto printed under the authority of the Board shall be admissible in all of the courts of the Commonwealth without further proof and given the force and effect prescribed hereby, and the fact that such printed copies bear the name of the Board shall be prima facie evidence that they are duly adopted and promulgated under the provisions of this title and that they are true copies of the regulations, or of any additions and amendments thereto, adopted pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of § 33.2-210.

Code 1950, § 33-21; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-22; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805.

The provisions of §§ 33.2-210 and 33.2-211 shall not apply to traction engines and tractors weighing not less than five tons when drawing threshing machines, hay balers, or other farm machinery for local farm use.

Code 1950, § 33-22; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-23; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2014, c. 805.

The Board shall have the power and duty to give suitable names to state highways, bridges, interchanges, and other transportation facilities and change the names of any highways, bridges, interchanges, or other transportation facilities forming a part of the systems of state highways. The names of private entities, as defined in § 33.2-1800, located within the Commonwealth shall not be used for such purposes unless such private entity pays the Department an annual naming rights fee as determined by the Board. The Department shall place and maintain appropriate signs indicating the names of highways, bridges, interchanges, and other transportation facilities named by the Board or by the General Assembly. The costs of producing, placing, and maintaining these signs shall be paid by the localities in which they are located or by the private entity whose name is attached to the highway, bridge, interchange, or other transportation facility. However, for a highway, bridge, interchange, or other transportation facility named after a state official killed during the performance of his official duties, the costs of producing, placing, and maintaining these signs shall be paid from Commonwealth Transportation Funds. For purposes of this section, "state official" includes law-enforcement officers employed by the Department of State Police and state highway transportation workers. No name shall be given to any state highway, bridge, interchange, or other transportation facility by the Board unless and until the Board receives (i) for a naming after a state official, a letter or resolution from the head of the state agency by which the state official was employed requesting such naming or (ii) for a naming other than after a state official, a resolution from the governing body of the locality within which a portion of the facility to be named is located requesting such naming, except in such cases where a private entity has requested the naming. No highway, bridge, interchange, or other transportation facility previously named by the Board or the General Assembly shall be eligible for renaming by a private entity, unless such naming incorporates the previous name. The Board shall develop and approve guidelines governing the naming of highways, bridges, interchanges, and other transportation facilities by private entities and the applicable fees for such naming rights. Such fees shall be deposited in the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530.

No name shall be eligible for the naming rights under this section if it in any way reasonably connotes anything that (i) is profane, obscene, or vulgar; (ii) is sexually explicit or graphic; (iii) is excretory related; (iv) is descriptive of intimate body parts or genitals; (v) is descriptive of illegal activities or substances; (vi) condones or encourages violence; or (vii) is socially, racially, or ethnically offensive or disparaging.

Code 1950, § 33-12; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-12; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 802.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to monitor and, where necessary, approve actions taken by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-281 et seq.) in order to ensure the efficient and economical development of public transportation, the enhancement of rail transportation, and the coordination of such rail and public transportation plans with highway programs.

B. The Board shall have the power and duty to coordinate the planning for financing of transportation needs, including needs for highways, railways, seaports, airports, and public transportation and set aside funds as provided in § 33.2-1524.1. To allocate funds for these needs pursuant to § 33.2-358 and Chapter 15 (§ 33.2-1500 et seq.), the Board shall adopt a Six-Year Improvement Program of anticipated projects and programs by July 1 of each year. This program shall be based on the most recent official Commonwealth Transportation Fund revenue forecast and shall be consistent with a debt management policy adopted by the Board in consultation with the Debt Capacity Advisory Committee and the Department of the Treasury.

C. The Board shall have the power and duty to enter into contracts with local districts, commissions, agencies, or other entities created for transportation purposes.

D. The Board shall have the power and duty to promote increasing private investment in the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure, including acquisition of causeways, bridges, tunnels, highways, and other transportation facilities.

E. The Board shall only include a project or program wholly or partially funded with funds from the State of Good Repair Program pursuant to § 33.2-369, the High Priority Projects Program pursuant to § 33.2-370, the Highway Construction District Grant Programs pursuant to § 33.2-371, or the Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program pursuant to § 33.2-372, or capital projects funded through the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program pursuant to § 33.2-373 in the Six-Year Improvement Program if the allocation of funds from those programs and other funding committed to such project or program within the six-year horizon of the Six-Year Improvement Program is sufficient to complete the project or program. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any project (i) the design and construction of which cannot be completed within six years, (ii) the estimated costs of which exceed $2 billion, and (iii) that requires the Board to exercise its authority to waive the funding cap pursuant to subsection B of § 33.2-369.

F. The Board shall have the power and duty to integrate land use with transportation planning and programming, consistent with the efficient and economical use of public funds. If the Board determines that a local transportation plan described in § 15.2-2223 or any amendment as described in § 15.2-2229 or a metropolitan regional long-range transportation plan or regional Transportation Improvement Program as described in § 33.2-3201 is not consistent with the Board's Statewide Transportation Plan developed pursuant to § 33.2-353, the Six-Year Improvement Program adopted pursuant to subsection B, and the location of routes to be followed by roads comprising systems of state highways pursuant to subsection A of § 33.2-208, the Board shall notify the locality of such inconsistency and request that the applicable plan or program be amended accordingly. If, after a reasonable time, the Board determines that there is a refusal to amend the plan or program, then the Board may reallocate funds that were allocated to the nonconforming project as permitted by state or federal law. However, the Board shall not reallocate any funds allocated pursuant to § 33.2-319 or 33.2-366, based on a determination of inconsistency with the Board's Statewide Transportation Plan or the Six-Year Improvement Program nor shall the Board reallocate any funds, allocated pursuant to subsection C or D of § 33.2-358, from any projects on highways controlled by any county that has withdrawn, or elects to withdraw, from the secondary system of state highways based on a determination of inconsistency with the Board's Statewide Transportation Plan or the Six-Year Improvement Program. If a locality or metropolitan planning organization requests the termination of a project, and the Department does not agree to the termination, or if a locality or metropolitan planning organization does not advance a project to the next phase of construction when requested by the Board and the Department has expended state or federal funds, the locality or the localities within the metropolitan planning organization may be required to reimburse the Department for all funds expended on the project. If, after design approval by the Chief Engineer of the Department, a locality or metropolitan planning organization requests alterations to a project that, in the aggregate, exceeds 10 percent of the total project costs, the locality or the localities within the metropolitan planning organization may be required to reimburse the Department for the additional project costs above the original estimates for making such alterations.

Code 1950, § 33-12; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-12; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 684; 2018, c. 828; 2019, cc. 83, 349; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that a prioritization process for projects funded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board be developed and implemented to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's transportation system, transportation safety, transportation accessibility for people and freight, environmental quality, and economic development in the Commonwealth.

B. Subject to the limitations in subsection C, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall develop, in accordance with federal transportation requirements, and in cooperation with metropolitan planning organizations wholly within the Commonwealth and with the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, a statewide prioritization process for the use of funds allocated pursuant to §§ 33.2-358, 33.2-370, and 33.2-371 or apportioned pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 104. Such prioritization process shall be used for the development of the Six-Year Improvement Program pursuant to § 33.2-214 and shall consider, at a minimum, highway, transit, rail, roadway, technology operational improvements, and transportation demand management strategies.

1. The prioritization process shall be based on an objective and quantifiable analysis that considers, at a minimum, the following factors relative to the cost of the project or strategy: congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety, and environmental quality.

2. Prior to the analysis in subdivision 1, candidate projects and strategies shall be screened by the Commonwealth Transportation Board to determine whether they are consistent with the assessment of capacity needs for all for corridors of statewide significance, regional networks, and improvements to promote urban development areas established pursuant to § 15.2-2223.1, undertaken in the Statewide Transportation Plan in accordance with § 33.2-353.

3. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall weight the factors used in subdivision 1 for each of the state's highway construction districts. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may assign different weights to the factors, within each highway construction district, based on the unique needs and qualities of each highway construction district.

4. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall solicit input from localities, metropolitan planning organizations, transit authorities, transportation authorities, and other stakeholders in its development of the prioritization process pursuant to this section. Further, the Board shall explicitly consider input provided by an applicable metropolitan planning organization or the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority when developing the weighting of factors pursuant to subdivision 3 for a metropolitan planning area with a population over 200,000 individuals.

C. The prioritization process developed under subsection B shall not apply to the following: projects or activities undertaken pursuant to § 33.2-352; projects funded by the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds apportioned to the state pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 104(b)(4) and state matching funds; projects funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program funds apportioned to the state pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 104(b)(3) and state matching funds; projects funded by the Transportation Alternatives funds set-aside pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 213 and state matching funds; projects funded by the revenue-sharing program pursuant to § 33.2-357; and projects funded by federal programs established by the federal government after June 30, 2014, with specific rules that restrict the types of projects that may be funded, excluding restrictions on the location of projects with regard to highway functional classification. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may, at its discretion, develop a prioritization process for any of the funds covered by this subsection, subject to planning and funding requirements of federal law.

2014, c. 726; 2015, c. 684; 2016, c. 129; 2017, cc. 166, 273.

A. The Board shall develop the Six-Year Improvement Program pursuant to § 33.2-214 in a transparent manner that provides to the public, elected officials, and other stakeholders the opportunity to engage and comment in a meaningful manner prior to the adoption of such program.

B. No later than 150 days prior to a vote to include projects or strategies evaluated pursuant to § 33.2-214.1 in the Six-Year Improvement Program, the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment shall make public, in an accessible format, (i) a recommended list of projects and strategies for inclusion in the Six-Year Improvement Program based on the results of such evaluation; (ii) the results of the screening of candidate projects and strategies, including whether such projects are located on a primary evacuation route; (iii) whether a project has been designed to be or the project sponsor has committed that the design will be resilient; and (iv) the results of the evaluation of candidate projects and strategies, including the weighting of factors and the criteria used to determine the value of each factor.

C. The Department shall make public a recommended list of projects eligible for funds under the state of good repair program pursuant to § 33.2-369 from the listing of prioritized pavement and bridge needs published in the Commissioner's annual report pursuant to § 33.2-232 at least 150 days prior to the adoption of a Six-Year Improvement Program that includes new projects with funding from such program.

D. The Board may modify the recommended list of projects in subsection B or C through formal action.

2017, cc. 166, 273; 2020, c. 971; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 51, 52.

At least annually, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Virginia Railway Express, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall conduct a joint public meeting for the purposes of presenting to the public, and receiving public comments on, the transportation projects proposed and conducted by each entity in Planning District 8. Such presentation shall include documentation regarding how the combined project selection, timing, and revenue sources employed by the entities represents the most efficient use of revenue sources. Such presentation shall include any evaluations or analyses conducted by such entities pursuant to § 33.2-214.1 or subdivision 2 of § 33.2-2500 that relate to Planning District 8. Each entity shall have at least one designee physically assembled at such joint public meeting. Nothing herein shall require a quorum of each such entity to participate in such joint public meeting. The Board shall also invite a Virginia representative of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Steering Committee to participate in and present information during the joint meeting. Nothing herein shall require such representative to participate or be physically present in such joint public meeting. The joint public meeting shall be made available online in a manner that allows the public to contemporaneously view and hear the meeting. However, in the event that online transmission of the meeting to the public fails, nothing herein shall require the meeting to recess until public access is restored online.

2018, c. 640; 2019, c. 749; 2023, c. 316.

A. 1. The Board shall develop a prioritization process for the use of funds allocated pursuant to subdivision D 2 of § 33.2-1526.1. Such prioritization process shall be used for the development of the Six-Year Improvement Program adopted annually by the Board pursuant to § 33.2-214. There shall be a separate prioritization process for state of good repair projects and major expansion projects. The prioritization process shall, for state of good repair projects, be based upon transit asset management principles, including federal requirements for Transit Asset Management pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5326. The prioritization process shall, for major expansion projects, be based on an objective and quantifiable analysis that considers the following factors relative to the cost of a major expansion project: congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety, environmental quality, and land use.

2. The Board shall solicit input from localities, metropolitan planning organizations, transit authorities, transportation authorities, and other stakeholders in its development of the prioritization process pursuant to this subsection. Further, the Board shall explicitly consider input provided by an applicable metropolitan planning organization or the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority when developing the prioritization process set forth in subdivision 1 for a metropolitan planning area with a population of over 200,000 individuals.

B. 1. The Board shall create for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation a Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee, consisting of two members appointed by the Virginia Transit Association, one member appointed by the Community Transportation Association of Virginia, one member appointed by the Virginia Municipal League, one member appointed by the Virginia Association of Counties, and three members appointed by the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, to advise the Department of Rail and Public Transportation in the development of the process set forth in subdivision 2. The Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee shall elect a chairman from among its membership. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall provide administrative support to the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee. The Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee shall meet at least annually and consult with interested stakeholders and hold at least one public hearing and report its findings to the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

2. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation, in conjunction with the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee, shall develop a process for the distribution of the funds allocated pursuant to subdivision D 1 of § 33.2-1526.1 and the incorporation by transit systems of the service delivery factors set forth therein into their transit development plans. Prior to the Board approving service delivery factors, the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Chairman of the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee shall brief the House Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Transportation regarding the findings and recommendations of the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Before redefining any component of the service delivery factors, the Board shall consult with the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee, and interested stakeholders, and shall provide for a 45-day public comment period. The process required to be delivered by this subsection shall be adopted no later than July 1, 2019, and shall apply beginning with the fiscal year 2020-2025 Six-Year Improvement Program.

2018, cc. 854, 856; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The Board shall have the power and duty to review and approve policies and transportation objectives of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, to assist in establishing such policies and objectives, to oversee the execution thereof, and to report on these policies and objectives to the Commissioner of Highways and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, respectively.

Code 1950, § 33-12; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-12; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Board shall establish regulations regarding size, distance from the roadway, and other safety concerns to govern the installation, maintenance, and removal of roadside memorials, plaques, and other devices placed within the right-of-way that commemorate the memory of persons killed in vehicle crashes within the right-of-way of any state highway.

B. Any person who installs any plaque, device, sign, object, material, or other memorial within the right-of-way of any highway controlled by the Department except in accordance with criteria established as provided in this section may be assessed a civil penalty of no more than $100. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate penalty. All civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530.

2002, c. 96, § 33.1-206.1; 2014, c. 805.

Neither the Board nor the Commissioner of Highways shall plant or cause or suffer to be planted on the right-of-way of any state highway any of the weeds or plants known as devil shoestring (Tephrosia virginiana), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), or barberry (Berberis vulgaris) if the governing body of the county in which the highway is located declares by resolution such weeds or plants to be injurious to adjacent property.

The Board shall cause all such weeds or plants planted or caused to be planted by the Board or Commissioner of Highways on any state highway right-of-way to be dug up and destroyed.

Any owner of land adjacent to any state or other public highway right-of-way, or his agents and employees, may dig up, cut down, or otherwise remove and destroy any of such plants or weeds and any other plants or weeds that are or may become noxious or otherwise injurious to his property found growing upon any state or other public highway right-of-way adjacent to his land.

Code 1950, § 33-124; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-209; 2014, c. 805.

The Board shall establish reasonable fees to be collected by the Commissioner of Highways from any qualified entity for the purpose of participating in the Integrated Directional Sign Program (IDSP) administered by the Department or its agents that is designed to provide information to the motoring public relating to gasoline and motor vehicle services, food, lodging, attractions, or other categories as defined by the IDSP. Such fees shall be deposited into a special fund specifically accounted for and used by the Commissioner of Highways solely to defray the actual costs of supervising and administering the signage programs. Included in these costs shall be a reasonable margin, not to exceed 10 percent, in the nature of a reserve fund.

2005, c. 491, § 33.1-12.01; 2014, c. 805.

Any transit system that conducts its operations within the exclusive jurisdiction of any locality or within the boundaries of any district as defined in § 33.2-1901, and any adjoining locality, shall file annually with the Board such financial and other statistical data as the Board shall require in order to effectively administer the provisions of § 46.2-206 and shall file with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, at such times as the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall require, such information as the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall require to carry out its duties under subdivision 4 of § 33.2-285.

The provisions of this section shall not be construed so as to exempt any such transit system from any provision of law or regulation made pursuant to law that requires the filing of data with any other agency of the Commonwealth.

1972, c. 290, § 33.1-223.1; 1984, c. 760; 1992, c. 167; 2014, c. 805.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this title, the Board, upon receipt of a written request from a public access authority established pursuant to Title 15.2 and without first abandoning or discontinuing such highway, highway right-of-way, or landing, including a wharf, pier, or dock, may transfer to such requesting authority any and all rights and interests of the Board in a highway, highway right-of-way, or landing as the Board may deem in the public interest. Such transfer may be either with or without compensation from the requesting authority.

2007, c. 304, § 33.1-223.2:17; 2011, c. 667; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to comply fully with the provisions of the present or future federal aid acts. The Board may enter into all contracts or agreements with the United States government and may do all other things necessary to carry out fully the cooperation contemplated and provided for by present or future acts of Congress related to transportation.

B. The Board shall have the power and duty to enter into all contracts with other states necessary for the proper coordination of the location, construction, maintenance, improvement, and operation of transportation systems, including the systems of state highways with the highways of such other states, and where necessary, seek the approval of such contracts by the Congress of the United States.

C. The Board shall have the power and duty to administer, distribute, and allocate funds in the Transportation Trust Fund as provided by law. The Board shall ensure that the total funds allocated to any highway construction project are equal to total expenditures within 12 months following completion of the project.

D. The Board shall have the power and duty, with the advice of the Secretary of Finance and the State Treasurer, to engage a financial advisor and investment advisor who may be anyone within or without the government of the Commonwealth to assist in planning and making decisions concerning the investment of funds and the use of bonds for transportation purposes. The work of these advisors shall be coordinated with the Secretary of Finance and the State Treasurer.

E. The Board shall have the power and duty to enter into payment agreements with the Treasury Board related to payments on bonds issued by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

F. When the traffic-carrying capacity of any of the systems of state highways or a portion thereof is increased by construction or improvement, the Board may enter into agreements with localities, authorities, and transportation districts to establish highway user fees for such system of state highways or portion thereof that the localities, authorities, and transportation districts maintain.

Code 1950, § 33-12; 1956, c. 92; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-12; 1974, c. 462; 1977, c. 150; 1978, c. 650; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 1988, cc. 844, 903; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 167; 1995, c. 94; 2001, c. 349; 2003, cc. 281, 533, 560; 2004, c. 110; 2005, cc. 839, 919; 2006, cc. 197, 417, 833, 924; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 8; 2007, c. 337; 2008, Sp. Sess. II, c. 5; 2009, cc. 670, 690; 2011, cc. 104, 164; 2012, cc. 729, 733; 2013, cc. 388, 569, 585, 646, 741; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 684.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning, "biodiesel fuel" means a renewable, biodegradable, mono-alkyl ester combustible liquid fluid fuel from agricultural plant oils or animal fats that meets the applicable American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels.

B. The Board shall encourage the use of biodiesel fuel and other alternative fuels, to the extent practicable, in buses and other vehicles used to provide public transportation in the Commonwealth.

2006, c. 939, §§ 67-500, 67-501; 2006, c. 939, §§ 67-500, 67-501; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.

The Commissioner of Highways shall be the chief executive officer of the Department of Transportation. The Commissioner of Highways shall be an experienced administrator able to direct and guide the Department in the establishment and achievement of the Department's core mission as provided in subsection B of § 33.2-256 and other transportation objectives determined by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

The Commissioner of Highways shall devote his entire time and attention to his duties as chief executive officer of the Department and shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by law. He shall also be reimbursed for his actual travel expenses while engaged in the discharge of his duties.

In the event of a vacancy due to the death, temporary disability, retirement, resignation, or removal of the Commissioner of Highways, the Governor may appoint and thereafter remove at his pleasure an "Acting Commissioner of Highways" until such time as the vacancy may be filled as provided in § 33.2-200. Such "Acting Commissioner of Highways" shall have all powers and perform all duties of the Commissioner of Highways as provided by law and shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the Governor. In the event of the temporary disability for any reason of the Commissioner of Highways, full effect shall be given to the provisions of § 2.2-605.

Code 1950, § 33-3; 1960, c. 271; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 3; 1964, c. 265; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-3; 1974, c. 462; 1990, cc. 1, 317; 1995, cc. 195, 223; 2007, c. 896; 2014, c. 805; 2017, cc. 166, 273.

Except such powers as are conferred by law upon the Board and the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment of the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Highways shall have the power to do all acts necessary or convenient for constructing, improving, maintaining, and preserving the efficient operation of the highways embraced in the systems of state highways and to further the interests of the Commonwealth in the areas of public transportation, railways, seaports, and airports. And as executive head of the Department, the Commissioner of Highways is specifically charged with the duty of executing all orders and decisions of the Board and may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, require that all appointees and employees perform their duties under this chapter.

In addition, the Commissioner of Highways, in order to maximize efficiency, shall take such steps as may be appropriate to outsource or privatize any of the Department's functions that might reasonably be provided by the private sector. Procuring equipment and labor to ensure that adequate resources will be available to address emergency and weather-related events as they may arise, including snow and ice removal services, shall be considered an emergency under subsection F of § 2.2-4303, and the Commissioner of Highways shall have the authority to establish and utilize such procedures as he deems necessary and most efficient to obtain and ensure the availability of such services to protect the safety and security of the traveling public.

Code 1950, § 33-13; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-13; 1974, c. 462; 1978, c. 652; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 13; 2007, cc. 863, 896, 928; 2014, c. 805; 2016, c. 538; 2018, c. 828.

The Commissioner of Highways shall employ such engineers, clerks, assistants, and other employees as may be needed and shall prescribe and fix their duties, including the delegation of duties and responsibilities conferred or imposed upon the Commissioner of Highways by law. They shall receive all salaries and expenses as may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of law.

Code 1950, § 33-7; 1952, c. 41; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-8; 1974, c. 462; 1982, c. 177; 1983, c. 127; 1995, cc. 195, 223; 2001, cc. 69, 87; 2011, cc. 36, 152; 2014, c. 805.

Tasks and responsibilities concerning transportation program or project delivery shall be carried out as follows:

1. The Commissioner of Highways shall cooperate with the federal government, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and any other organization in the numbering, signing, and marking of highways; in the taking of measures for the promotion of highway safety; in research activities; in the preparation of standard specifications; in the testing of highway materials; and otherwise with respect to transportation projects.

2. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation may offer technical assistance and coordinate state resources, as available, to work with local governments, upon their request, in developing sound transportation components for their local comprehensive plans.

2013, cc. 585, 646, § 33.1-190.4; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways may lease or sell and convey the airspace superjacent or subjacent to any highway in the Commonwealth that is within his jurisdiction and in which the Commonwealth owns fee simple title after satisfying itself that use of the airspace will not impair the full use and safety of the highway or otherwise interfere with the free flow of traffic thereon and it cannot be reasonably foreseen as needed in the future for highway and other transit uses and purposes. The Commissioner of Highways may provide in such leases and conveyances of airspace for columns of support, in fee or otherwise, ingress, egress, and utilities.

No lease or conveyance shall be entered into by the Commissioner of Highways unless the locality, by action of its governing body by majority recorded vote, approves the projected use of the airspace in question and has taken such steps as it deems proper to regulate the type and use of the improvements to be erected in such airspace by appropriate zoning or other method of land use control.

All leases and conveyances shall contain those terms deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Highways to protect the interests of the Commonwealth and the public. The Commissioner of Highways may utilize any competitive procurement process authorized by law, including (i) competitive sealed bidding, (ii) competitive negotiation, (iii) best value procurements as defined in § 2.2-4301, and (iv) public-private partnerships pursuant to the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.), as determined by the Commissioner of Highways, in his sole discretion, to be appropriate and the method most likely to achieve the identified goals of the proposed lease or sale and conveyance of airspace. The Commissioner of Highways may reject any bid or offer that he believes is not in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

Compensation paid for such leases and conveyances shall be credited to the Priority Transportation Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1527.

1979, c. 431, § 33.1-183.1; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805; 2017, c. 278; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

If any person employed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Department of Transportation, or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation is arrested or indicted or otherwise prosecuted on any charge arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the Commissioner of Highways or the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation may employ special counsel approved by the Attorney General to defend such employee. The compensation for special counsel employed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, be paid by the agency for which the employee works out of the funds appropriated for the administration of the Department of Transportation or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Code 1950, § 33-11.1; 1958, c. 542; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-11; 1974, c. 462; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 33.2-209, 33.2-214, and 33.2-221, the Commissioner of Highways, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board and following receipt of a resolution adopted by the governing body of a locality, may enter into an agreement with any such locality pursuant to which the locality assumes responsibility for the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of highways or portions thereof in such locality, using funds allocated pursuant to § 33.2-371.

2004, c. 623, § 33.1-12.1; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 684.

Upon written request to the central office of the Department, the Commissioner of Highways shall furnish information regarding right-of-way transactions where any public funds are expended. Such information shall not be released prior to 60 days following the transaction to any person not a party directly interested in such transaction.

The information furnished under this section shall consist of (i) the name of the person to whom any sum was paid for land or interest therein, (ii) the amount of land or interest therein acquired from such person, and (iii) the amount paid such person for land and the amount paid for damage resulting to the remaining property of such person.

Code 1950, § 33-15.1; 1958, c. 316; 1960, c. 352; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-16; 1974, c. 462; 2014, c. 805.

Whenever the Board or the Department decides to sell or otherwise dispose of any surplus real property, the Commissioner of Highways shall provide written notice of such decision to the mayor or chairman of the governing body of the locality in which the property or any portion thereof is located. Any failure to provide or receive such notice shall not create a cloud on the title to the property.

1999, c. 287, § 33.1-223.2:2; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways shall establish a program whereby persons convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors who have received a suspended sentence or probation can fulfill their community service requirements by mowing rights-of-way and performing other landscaping maintenance tasks for roads and highways that the Department has the responsibility to maintain.

2008, c. 688, § 33.1-12.2; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that the reports required under subsections B and C are provided in writing to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board by the dates specified.

B. The Commissioner of Highways shall provide to each recipient specified in subsection A, no later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, a report, the content of which shall be specified by the Board and shall contain, at a minimum:

1. The methodology used to determine maintenance needs, including an explanation of the transparent methodology used for the allocation of funds from the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund pursuant to subsection A of § 33.2-352;

2. The methodology approved by the Board for the allocation of funds for state of good repair purposes as defined in § 33.2-369 and, if necessary, an explanation and rationale for any waiver of the cap provided for in subsection B of § 33.2-369;

3. The expenditures from the Highway Maintenance and Operating Program for the past fiscal year by asset class or activity and by construction district as well as the planned expenditure for the current fiscal year;

4. A description of transportation systems management and operations in the Commonwealth and the operating condition of primary and secondary state highways, including location and average duration of incidents;

5. A listing of prioritized pavement and bridge needs based on the priority ranking system developed by the Board pursuant to § 33.2-369 and a description of the priority ranking system;

6. A description of actions taken to improve highway operations within the Commonwealth, including the use of funds in the Innovation and Technology Transportation Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1531;

7. The use of funds in the Special Structure Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1532;

8. The status of the Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program, including, at a minimum, the allocation of revenues for the program, the current and projected performance of each interstate highway corridor, and the anticipated benefits of funded strategies, capital improvements, and services by the interstate highway; and

9. A review of the Department's collaboration with the private sector in delivering services.

C. The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment of the Secretary of Transportation shall provide to each recipient specified in subsection A, no later than November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a report, the content of which shall be specified by the Board and shall contain, at a minimum:

1. A list of transportation projects approved or modified during the prior fiscal year, including whether each such project was evaluated pursuant to § 33.2-214.1 and the program from which each such project received funding;

2. The results of the most recent project evaluations pursuant to § 33.2-214.1, including a comparison of (i) projects selected for funding with projects not selected for funding, (ii) funding allocated by district and by mode of transportation, and (iii) the size of projects selected for funding;

3. The current performance of the Commonwealth's surface transportation system, the targets for future performance, and the progress toward such targets based on the measures developed pursuant to § 2.2-229;

4. The status of the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, including the balance in the Bank, funding commitments made over the prior fiscal year, and performance of the current loan portfolio;

5. The status of the Toll Facilities Revolving Account, including the balance in the account, project commitments from the account, repayment schedules, and the performance of the current loan portfolio; and

6. Progress made toward achieving the performance targets established by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

D. The purpose of the reports required pursuant to this section is to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of transportation funds. Reports required by this section shall be made available to the public on the website of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

2011, cc. 36, 152, § 33.1-13.03; 2014, cc. 290, 805; 2015, c. 684; 2016, c. 711; 2017, c. 537; 2018, c. 828; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The Commissioner of Highways and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall gather and tabulate information and statistics relating to transportation and disseminate the same throughout the Commonwealth. In addition, the Commissioner of Highways shall provide a report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Board, and the public concerning the current status of all highway construction projects in the Commonwealth. This report shall be posted at least four times each fiscal year but may be updated more often as circumstances allow. The report shall contain, at a minimum, the following information for every project in the Six-Year Improvement Program: (i) project description; (ii) total cost estimate; (iii) funds expended to date; (iv) project timeline and completion date; (v) statement of whether project is ahead of, on, or behind schedule; (vi) the name of the prime contractor; (vii) total expenditures of federal transportation funds in each county and city; (viii) total expenditures of state transportation funds in each county and city; (ix) statewide totals for federal, state, and local funds expended for highways; (x) statewide totals for federal, state, and local funds expended for transit; (xi) total funds expended on intercity passenger and freight rail line and trains; and (xii) total funds expended in each federal and state programmatic category. Use of one or more websites may be used to satisfy this requirement. Project-specific information posted on the Internet shall be updated daily as information is available.

B. The Department shall develop performance metrics that measure the efficiency and quality of the Department's processes for the review of and approval of subdivision and commercial development plans. The Commissioner of Highways shall gather and tabulate information to support development of the performance metrics. The data collected and reported shall include, at a minimum, (i) the length of time that it takes the Department to review plans from the date the plans are received in the local office of the Department until comments are returned to the local government; (ii) the number of reviews that are required to achieve final approval of plans; and (iii) measures reported at the residency, district, and statewide levels of the Department.

The Department shall adopt performance standards for the review and approval of subdivision and commercial development plans no later than January 1, 2025. Once performance standards are developed, these measures will be reported and made available for public view on the Department's website and shall be updated on a quarterly basis.

2013, cc. 585, 646, § 33.1-13.05; 2014, c. 805; 2022, c. 680.

A. Irrespective of the provisions of § 33.2-235, in cases of emergency or on any project reasonably estimated to cost not more than $700,000, the Commissioner of Highways may build or maintain any of the highways in the systems of state highways by state employees or local employees as he may designate.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, the Commissioner of Highways may enter into a written agreement with a locality for the building and maintenance of any of the highways in the systems of state highways by local employees provided that (i) the locality has obtained a cost estimate for the work of not more than $1 million and (ii) the locality has issued an invitation for bid and has received fewer than two bids from private entities to build or maintain such highways.

Code 1950, § 33-104; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-190; 1977, c. 678; 1982, c. 647; 1985, c. 130; 1986, Sp. Sess., c. 9; 2006, cc. 434, 480; 2008, c. 472; 2010, cc. 22, 50; 2014, c. 805; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 260.

All projects reasonably estimated to cost $300,000 or more that the Board or the Commissioner of Highways may undertake for construction shall be let in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.). When such projects are reasonably estimated to cost below $300,000, the Commissioner of Highways may let them to contract, and if such projects are let to contract, they shall be let only in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act.

As used in this section, "project" means construction and does not include routine maintenance work or the installation of traffic control devices, unless such work is to be performed under contract.

Code 1950, § 33-99; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-185; 1973, c. 229; 1977, c. 678; 1978, c. 144; 1982, c. 647; 1992, c. 108; 2010, cc. 22, 50; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways may prepare photogrammetric maps or plats of specific sites or areas at the request of the governing bodies of localities of the Commonwealth, local nonprofit industrial development agencies, planning district commissions, soil and water conservation districts, metropolitan planning organizations, public service authorities, and local chambers of commerce. The Department of Energy shall first review the request to determine whether suitable or alternate maps or plats are currently available, and the local governing body, agency, or chamber shall agree to reimburse the Department of Transportation for the cost of producing the maps or plats.

Code 1950, § 33-136.2; 1962, c. 96; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-222; 1982, c. 184; 1984, c. 590; 2014, c. 805; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532.

For the purpose of this section, "Virginia educational institution" means a for-profit educational institution with its main campus located in the Commonwealth that (i) has, for at least five consecutive years prior to making a request under this section, awarded academic degrees approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; (ii) offers programs in workforce training or job readiness that contribute to Virginia's economic growth and development; and (iii) has a combined annual enrollment of at least 1,000 students at its main campus and any branch location situated within a radius of 25 miles from the main campus.

Upon request from a Virginia educational institution, the Commissioner of Highways shall erect and maintain signs at appropriate and conspicuous locations along interstate, primary, or secondary highways providing motorists directions to the main or branch location of any such institution. All costs associated with production and erection of signs under this section shall be borne by the affected institution, but all costs associated with maintenance of those signs shall be borne by the Department.

Signs erected by the Department under this section shall be placed in accordance with all applicable Department regulations.

1999, c. 310, § 33.1-223.2:3; 2014, c. 805.

If it appears to the Commissioner of Highways necessary for the safety of the traveling public or for proper completion of work that is being performed to close any highway under his jurisdiction to all traffic or any class of traffic, the Commissioner of Highways may close, or cause to be closed, the whole or any portion of such highway deemed necessary to be excluded from public travel and may exclude all or any class of traffic from such closed portion. While any such highway or portion thereof is so closed, or while any such highway or portion thereof is in process of construction or maintenance, the Commissioner of Highways, or contractor under authority from the Commissioner of Highways, may erect, or cause to be erected, suitable barriers or obstructions thereon, may post, or cause to be posted, conspicuous notices to the effect that the highway or portion thereof is closed and may place warning signs, lights, and lanterns on such highway or portion thereof. When such highway is closed for the safety of the traveling public or in process of construction or maintenance as provided in this section, any person who willfully breaks down, drives into new construction work, removes, injures, or destroys any such barrier or barriers or obstructions, tears down, removes, or destroys any such notices, or extinguishes, removes, injures, or destroys any such warning lights or lanterns so erected, posted, or placed is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 33-109; 1958, c. 547; 1968, c. 162; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-193; 2014, c. 805.

Whenever necessary, the Commissioner of Highways shall select, lay out, maintain, and keep in as good repair as possible suitable detours, by the most practical route, while the highways are being improved or constructed, and he shall place or cause to be placed explicit directions to the traveling public during repair of any such highway under process of construction.

Code 1950, § 33-110; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-194; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways shall permit suitable connections from where private roads leading to and from private homes intersect improved highways and over and across the shoulders and unimproved parts of such highways to the paved or otherwise improved parts thereof to provide the users of such private roads safe and convenient means of ingress and egress with motor vehicles to and from the paved or otherwise improved parts of such highways.

Code 1950, § 33-116; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-197; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways shall permit suitable connections from where commercial establishment entrances are desired to intersect improved highways and over and across the shoulders and unimproved parts of such highways to the paved or otherwise improved parts thereof that comply with the access management standards of the Commissioner of Highways for the location, spacing, and design of entrances, taking into account the operating characteristics and federal functional classification of the highway, to provide the users of such entrances safe and convenient means of ingress and egress with motor vehicles to and from the paved or otherwise improved parts of such highways while minimizing the impact of such ingress and egress on the operation of such highways, provided that any person desiring such an entrance shall:

1. Be required first to obtain a permit therefor from the Commissioner of Highways;

2. Provide the entrance at his expense;

3. If required by the Commissioner of Highways, provide for the joint use of the desired entrance with adjacent property owners or provide evidence of such efforts; and

4. Construct the entrance or have the entrance constructed, including such safety structures as are required by the Commissioner of Highways, pursuant to the Department of Transportation's design standards and applicable Department regulations concerning access management and applicable Board regulations concerning land use permits.

All commercial entrances whether or not constructed under this section shall be maintained by the owner of the premises at all times in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner of Highways.

Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense. Following a conviction and 15 days for correction, each day during which the violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense and be punishable as such. Such person shall be civilly liable to the Commonwealth for actual damage sustained by the Commonwealth by reason of his wrongful act.

The Commissioner of Highways shall document and maintain a list of anyone who has requested an onsite meeting with the resident engineer or his staff. Such list shall also include recommendations made pursuant to the Department of Transportation's design standards and applicable Department regulations concerning access management and applicable Board regulations concerning land use permits and any associated cost estimates. Such list shall be provided to a locality upon the request of such locality.

Code 1950, § 33-116.1; 1956, c. 91; 1966, c. 378; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-198; 2005, c. 645; 2007, cc. 863, 928; 2014, c. 805; 2017, c. 542.

The Commissioner of Highways shall review the existing access to any parcel of land having an entrance destroyed in the repair or construction of the systems of state highways and shall provide access to the systems of state highways in a manner that will serve the parcel of land and ensure efficient and safe highway operation.

Code 1950, § 33-117; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-199; 2007, cc. 863, 928; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways may pay and settle claims and demands against the Commonwealth arising as a result of damages sustained to personal property by reason of work projects or the operation of state-owned or operated equipment when engaged in the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of the primary state highway system, unless said claims or demands arise as a result of negligence of the person asserting such claims or demands. Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing any legal liability upon the Commonwealth to pay such claims or demands, nor as giving the consent of the Commonwealth to be sued in any action or suit to recover on such claims or demands in the event the Commissioner of Highways refuses payment of said claims or demands.

Code 1950, § 33-117.1; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-200; 2014, c. 805.

Upon request by a person, the Commissioner of Highways may authorize such person to hire private persons, firms, contractors, or entities to remove snow and ice from any public highway in Planning District 8, provided that there will be no costs to the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions for work pursuant to this section. No private person, firm, contractor, or entity employed to remove snow and ice from any public highway shall be afforded sovereign immunity or immunity in any form whatsoever. Private persons, firms, contractors, or entities so employed shall be liable for civil damages, including damages for death, injury, or property damage resulting from any act or omission relating to the removal of snow and ice from public highways. Nothing contained in this section shall limit the authority of the Commissioner of Highways granted under other provisions of law to authorize or contract for the removal of snow and ice from public highways.

1996, c. 714, § 33.1-200.2; 2014, c. 805.

A. For purposes of this section, "comprehensive highway access management standards" means a coordinated set of state standards and guidelines that allow the Commonwealth and its localities to manage access to the systems of state highways according to their federal functional classification or operational characteristics through the control of and improvements to the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.

B. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that comprehensive highway access management standards be developed and implemented to enhance the operation and safety of the systems of state highways in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while ensuring that private property is entitled to reasonable access to the systems of state highways. The goals of the comprehensive highway access management standards are:

1. To reduce traffic congestion and impacts to the level of service of highways, leading to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution;

2. To enhance public safety by decreasing traffic crash rates;

3. To support economic development in the Commonwealth by promoting the efficient movement of people and goods;

4. To reduce the need for new highways and road widening by improving the performance of the existing systems of state highways; and

5. To preserve public investment in new highways by maximizing their performance.

C. The Commissioner of Highways shall develop and implement comprehensive highway access management standards for managing access to and preserving and improving the efficient operation of the systems of state highways. The comprehensive highway access management standards shall include standards and guidelines for the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.

Nothing in such standards shall preempt the authority of a local government to regulate the type or density of land uses abutting the systems of state highways.

The Commissioner of Highways shall require that any official who approves any highway access project shall certify that he has applied due diligence in approving such project and that such approval is, in his professional opinion, consistent with the minimum standards developed pursuant to this section. An appeal of the denial, revocation, or conditions of a permit shall be in accordance with the provisions of 24VAC30-73-50.

2007, cc. 863, 928, § 33.1-198.1; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 157.

A. To promote the safety, convenience, and enjoyment of travel on, and protection of the public investment in, highways of the Commonwealth and for the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty within and adjoining such highways, it is hereby declared to be in the public interest to acquire and establish recreational waysides and areas of scenic beauty adjoining the highways of the Commonwealth.

B. The Commissioner of Highways may, whenever in his opinion it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth, accept from the United States, or any authorized agency thereof, a grant or grants of any recreational waysides established and constructed by the United States, or any such agency thereof, or a grant or grants of funds for landscaping and scenic enhancement of highways, and the Commissioner of Highways may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, enter into a contract or contracts with the United States, or any such agency thereof, to maintain and operate any such recreational waysides that may be so granted to the Commonwealth and may do all things necessary to receive and expend federal funds for landscaping and scenic enhancement.

C. The Commissioner of Highways may, whenever it is in the best interest of the operation of the Interstate System or the primary or secondary state highway system, establish, construct, maintain, and operate appropriate recreational waysides and areas of scenic beauty adjoining such highways.

D. The Commissioner of Highways may acquire by purchase, gift, or the power of eminent domain such land or interest in land as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, provided that in exercising the power of eminent domain for areas of scenic beauty, such areas adjoin and lie within 100 feet of the right-of-way of the highway, and the procedure shall be, mutatis mutandis, as provided for the acquisition of land by the Commissioner of Highways in Article 1 (§ 33.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10.

E. The Board may establish regulations for the use of recreational waysides, including regulations relating to (i) the time, place, and manner of parking of vehicles; (ii) activities that may be conducted within such waysides; (iii) solicitation and selling within the waysides; and (iv) such other matters as may be necessary or expedient in the interest of the motoring public.

The regulations when adopted by the Board shall be posted in a conspicuous place at each wayside, along with such other signs as the Commissioner of Highways deems necessary to advise the public.

Any person violating any regulation adopted under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 for each offense.

F. Recreational waysides and areas of scenic beauty when acquired, established, maintained, and operated in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be a part of the Interstate System or primary or secondary state highway system but land acquired for areas of scenic beauty shall not be deemed a part of the right-of-way for the purpose of future acquisition of areas of scenic beauty under the provisions of subsections A through D.

Code 1950, §§ 33-133, 33-133.1, 33-134; 1966, c. 470; 1968, c. 566; 1970, c. 322, §§ 33.1-217, 33.1-218, 33.1-219; 2014, c. 805.

A. For the purposes of this section, "river watershed" means the Potomac River Basin, Shenandoah River Basin, James River Basin, Rappahannock River Basin, Roanoke and Yadkin Rivers Basin, Chowan River Basin (including the Dismal Swamp and Albemarle Sound), Tennessee River Basin, Big Sandy River Basin, Chesapeake Bay and its Small Coastal Basins, Atlantic Ocean, York River Basin, and New River Basin.

B. When authorization is required by federal or state law for any project affecting wetlands and such authorization is conditioned upon compensatory mitigation for adverse impacts to wetlands, the Commissioner of Highways is authorized to expend funds for the purchase of, or is authorized to use, credits from any wetlands mitigation bank, including any owned by the Department of Transportation, that has been approved and is operating in accordance with applicable federal and state guidance, laws, or regulations for the establishment, use, and operation of mitigation banks as long as (i) the bank is in the same fourth order subbasin, as defined by the hydrologic unit boundaries of the National Watershed Boundary Dataset or by the hydrologic unit system or dataset utilized and depicted or described in the bank's approved mitigation banking instrument, as the impacted site, or in an adjacent subbasin within the same river watershed as the impacted site, or it meets all the conditions found in clauses (a) through (d) and either clause (e) or (f); (ii) the bank is ecologically preferable to practicable on-site and off-site individual mitigation options, as defined by federal wetland regulations; and (iii) the banking instrument, if approved after July 1, 1996, has been approved by a process that included public review and comment. When the bank is not located in the same subbasin or adjacent subbasin within the same river watershed as the impacted site, the purchase or use of credits shall not be allowed unless the Commissioner of Highways demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency requiring compensatory mitigation that (a) the impacts will occur as a result of a Department of Transportation linear project; (b) there is no practical same river watershed mitigation alternative; (c) the impacts are less than one acre in a single and complete project within a subbasin; (d) there is no significant harm to water quality or fish and wildlife resources within the river watershed of the impacted site; and either (e) impacts within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are mitigated within the Chesapeake Bay watershed as close as possible to the impacted site or (f) impacts within subbasins 02080108, 02080208, and 03010205, as defined by the National Watershed Boundary Dataset, are mitigated in-kind within those subbasins, as close as possible to the impacted site. After July 1, 2002, the provisions of clause (f) shall apply only to impacts within subdivisions of the listed subbasins where overlapping watersheds exist, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, provided the Department of Environmental Quality has made such a determination by that date. For the purposes of this subsection, the hydrologic unit boundaries of the National Watershed Boundary Dataset or other hydrologic unit system may be adjusted by the Department of Environmental Quality to reflect site-specific geographic or hydrologic information provided by the bank sponsor.

C. Notwithstanding any provision of this section restricting the location of the source of credits, the Commissioner of Highways may be permitted to purchase or use credits from a tidal wetland mitigation bank located in an adjacent river watershed when such bank contains the same plant community type and salinity regime as the impacted wetlands, which shall be the preferred form of compensation. This subsection shall apply only (i) to tidal wetland mitigation banks with a polyhaline salinity regime located in subbasins 02080102, 02080107, 02080108, and 02080208 and (ii) when a tidal wetland mitigation bank with the same plant community type and salinity regime as the impacted wetlands is not available in the same river watershed as the impacted wetland.

1996, c. 736, § 33.1-223.2:1; 1999, c. 8; 2011, c. 253; 2014, cc. 332, 805; 2023, c. 245.

The Commissioner of Highways may expend from funds available for construction or maintenance of roads or highways, either alone or in cooperation with public road authorities of other states, such funds as he may deem necessary for the construction, maintenance, operation, and repair of interstate highway bridges, tunnels, and approaches forming connecting links between highways in the systems of state highways and public roads of other states.

Code 1950, § 33-172; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-248; 2014, c. 805.

The governing bodies of cities and towns having populations greater than 3,500 and the Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements, upon such terms and conditions as may be necessary, for the maintenance of public highway bridges or tunnels lying partly within and partly outside the incorporated limits of such cities and towns.

The Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements with other states and the District of Columbia, upon such terms and conditions as may be necessary, for the maintenance and operation, including the issuance of permits, of public highway bridges or tunnels lying partly within and partly outside the territorial limits of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 33-172.1; 1956, c. 28; 1964, c. 374; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-249; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Commissioner of Highways may, upon the request of the governing body of any county and at the expense of the owner of the land, improve private roads giving direct access from the home or other central buildings on the property along the shortest practical route to the nearest public highway, provided that:

1. The Commissioner of Highways shall in no case undertake any such work until certification is made by the governing body of the county that the property owner cannot secure the services of a private contractor to perform the work nor then until the owner has deposited with him a certified check in the amount estimated by the Commissioner of Highways as the cost of the work;

2. Not more than $1,000 shall be expended on any one such private project in any one year; and

3. No work of ordinary maintenance shall be done on any such private road under the provisions of this section.

B. In addition, the Commissioner of Highways may, upon the request of the council of any town having a population of less than 1,500 and at the expense of such town, improve and maintain any streets or roads in such town and not in the primary state highway system. As to streets and roads in such town, no certification by the board of supervisors or deposit shall be necessary.

C. Any work done by the Commissioner of Highways pursuant to the provisions of this section shall only be done with the equipment and employees of the Department.

Code 1950, § 33-118; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-201; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

The governing body of any county or town may enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Highways allowing the county or town to install and maintain, at locations specified in such agreement, signs alerting motorists that children may be at play nearby. The cost of the signs and their installation shall be paid by the county or town.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any county that has withdrawn its roads from the secondary state highway system under the provisions of § 11 of Chapter 415 of the Acts of Assembly of 1932 and has not elected to return.

1997, c. 167, § 33.1-210.2; 2006, c. 548; 2012, c. 179; 2014, c. 805.

A. Whenever any person, firm, or chartered company engaged in mining, manufacturing, or lumber getting has acquired the right-of-way for a tramway or railway, except across or upon a public highway, and desires to cross such highway or some part thereof and if such person, firm, or chartered company cannot agree with the Commissioner of Highways, or governing body of a county if the road is a county road in a county where the roads are not within the secondary state highway system, as to the terms and conditions of such crossing, the circuit court of the county in which such highway may be may prescribe such regulations for the crossing of such highway as will protect the public, and when such regulations have been prescribed, such tramway or railway may be constructed and maintained or if already constructed may be maintained in accordance with such regulations as may be made on the application of the owner of such tramway or railway or on the motion of the attorney for the Commonwealth after notice to such owner.

B. The Commissioner of Highways or governing body or the applicant or owner of the tramway or railway may appeal from the order of the circuit court in the manner prescribed for appeals in controversies concerning roads.

C. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as giving the right to condemn private property for such tramway or railway, nor shall the rights of any tramway or railway lawfully acquired be affected.

Code 1950, §§ 33-126, 33-127, 33-128; 1970, c. 322, §§ 33.1-211, 33.1-212, 33.1-213; 2014, c. 805.

The Commissioner of Highways shall establish a highway safety corridor program under which a portion of highways in the primary state highway system and Interstate System may be designated by the Commissioner of Highways as highway safety corridors to address highway safety problems through law enforcement, education, and safety enhancements. In consultation with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Superintendent of State Police, the Commissioner of Highways shall establish criteria for the designation and evaluation of highway safety corridors, including a review of crash data, accident reports, type and volume of vehicle traffic, and engineering and traffic studies. The Commissioner of Highways shall hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the criteria to be used for designating a highway safety corridor. The Commissioner of Highways shall hold a minimum of one public hearing before designating any specific highway corridor as a highway safety corridor. The public hearing or hearings for a specific corridor shall be held at least 30 days prior to the designation at a location as close to the proposed corridor as practical.

The Department of Transportation shall erect signs that designate highway safety corridors and the penalties for violations committed within the designated corridors.

2003, c. 877, § 33.1-223.2:8; 2014, c. 805.

The publishers of all newspapers having a circulation in rural sections of the Commonwealth may erect and maintain suitable newspaper route boxes along and on the rights-of-way of the public highways throughout such rural sections, in which to deposit newspapers for their subscribers. The short name of the newspaper to be deposited in each such box, but nothing more, may be plainly printed thereon. All such boxes shall be located so they do not interfere with or endanger public travel on highways. All such locations shall meet with the approval of the Commissioner of Highways.

Code 1950, § 33-122; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-206; 1979, c. 427; 2014, c. 805.

To the extent not otherwise prohibited by law, the Commissioner of Highways may sell or otherwise dispose of any improvements on lands acquired for highway construction projects or lease such land and improvements until such time as the land is needed for immediate highway construction purposes. Any residue parcels of lands so acquired that are found to be unnecessary for highway purposes may be sold or otherwise disposed of by the Commissioner of Highways.

Code 1950, § 33-75.8; 1964, c. 263; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-140; 2014, c. 805.

A. There is hereby created a Department of Transportation within the executive branch, which shall be under the supervision and management of the Commissioner of Highways and responsible to the Secretary of Transportation.

B. The core mission of the Department shall be as follows:

1. To maintain and operate the system of state highways;

2. To develop, oversee, and manage highway projects included in the Six-Year Improvement Program pursuant to § 33.2-214 based on guidance from the Commonwealth Transportation Board or funded pursuant to § 33.2-1524; and

3. To ensure the safety of the traveling public on the system of state highways.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or restrict the powers otherwise granted to the Department or Commissioner.

2014, c. 805; 2017, cc. 166, 273.

Repealed by Acts 2019, c. 749, cl. 2.

At least 30 days prior to any public hearing regarding a transportation project valued in excess of $100 million, the Department of Transportation shall send notification of the date, time, and place of the public hearing, by regular mail, to all owners of property within and adjacent to such project study corridor.

2014, c. 733.

Notwithstanding any other provision of state law or regulation, any state agency, board, or commission that issues a permit required for a highway construction project pursuant to Title 10.1, 28.2, 29.1, or 62.1 shall within 15 days of receipt of an individual permit application review the application for completeness and either accept the application or request additional specific information from the Department. Unless a shorter period is provided by law, regulation, or agreement, the state agency, board, or commission shall within 120 days of receipt of a complete application issue the permit, issue the permit with conditions, deny the permit, or decide whether a public meeting or hearing is required by law. If a public meeting or hearing is held, it shall be held within 45 days of the decision to conduct such a proceeding, and a final decision as to the permit shall be made within 90 days of completion of the public meeting or hearing. For coverage under general permits issued pursuant to Title 10.1, 28.2, 29.1, or 62.1, the state agency, board, or commission that issues such permits shall within 10 business days of receipt of an application from the Department for a highway construction project review the application for completeness and either accept the application or request additional specific information from the Department. Coverage under the general permit shall be approved, approved with conditions, or denied within 30 business days of receipt of a complete application.

2005, c. 781, § 33.1-19.1; 2007, c. 896; 2014, c. 805.

Whenever in connection with or as a precondition to the construction or reconstruction of any highway the Department has acquired any permanent drainage easement, the Department shall, until such time as such easement has been terminated, perform repairs required to protect the roadway and to ensure the proper function of the easement within the right-of-way and within the boundaries of such easement.

2000, c. 312, § 33.1-223.2:4; 2014, c. 805.

A. Standard specifications adopted for lubricating motor oil for competitive bidding contracts to be let by the Department shall be prescribed so as to include re-refined or recycled lubricating motor oil. Specifications adopted for circumstances or equipment that require specialized treatment or products may be excluded.

B. The Department shall compile and publish a list of business entities that commercially distribute re-refined or recycled lubricating motor oil that complies with the standard specifications adopted by the Department pursuant to the provisions of this section. The Department shall make the list available to local governing bodies upon request.

1982, c. 203, § 33.1-189.1; 2014, c. 805.

For the purposes of this section, "value engineering" means a systematic process of review and analysis of an engineering project by a team of persons not originally involved in the project. Such team may offer suggestions that would improve project quality and reduce total project cost, ranging from a combination or elimination of inefficient or expensive parts or steps in the original proposal to total redesign of the project using different technologies, materials, or methods.

The Department shall employ value engineering in conjunction with any project that has an estimated construction cost of more than $15 million on any highway system using criteria established by the Department.

After a review, the Commissioner of Highways may waive the requirements of this section for any project for compelling reasons. Any such waiver shall be in writing, state the reasons for the waiver, and apply only to a single project.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to projects that are designed (i) utilizing a design-build contract pursuant to § 33.2-209 or 33.2-269 or (ii) pursuant to the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.).

1990, c. 160, § 33.1-190.1; 2001, cc. 90, 104; 2014, c. 805; 2018, cc. 290, 423.

On the roads under the jurisdiction of the Department, the Department shall remove snow from the driveways and entrances of volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services agencies when the chief of any individual volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency makes a written request for such snow removal service, provided that such service shall only be performed when such service can be performed during the normal course of snow removal activities of the Department without interfering with, or otherwise inconveniencing, such snow removal activities. Such service shall not extend to any parking lots adjacent to such driveways and entranceways not normally used by the volunteer fire department or volunteer emergency medical services agency as their direct driveway or entrance.

1976, c. 221, § 33.1-200.1; 2014, c. 805; 2015, cc. 502, 503.

The Department shall allow any local school board to install signs or other devices to indicate school bus stops, provided the installation is approved by the Department prior to installation. No local school board shall be required to install signs at all school bus stops. Maintenance, repair, and replacement of school bus stop signs shall be the responsibility of the local school board. The Department, in conformance with the Department's current policies for emergency snow removal operations, shall use its best efforts to ensure that signed school bus stop areas shall not be obstructed by snow removal operations. Installation of school bus stop signs shall not designate the area as school property.

2008, c. 291, § 33.1-223.2:18; 2014, c. 805.

No person, firm, or corporation shall pasture or graze, or cause to be pastured or grazed, or otherwise permit to be on any right-of-way of any highway in the systems of state highways, except as otherwise provided in this section, any livestock, unless such animal or animals be securely tied or held by chain or rope so as to prevent such animal from getting on the traveled portion of the highway, provided that this section shall not apply when such livestock are being driven along such highway while under the control of a responsible drover or drovers.

Nothing in this section shall prevent the owners of abutting parcels of land from grazing livestock unsecured by chain or rope on secondary roads that (i) have been taken into the system as gated roads and (ii) carry fewer than 50 vehicles per day.

On gated roads carrying 50 or more vehicles per day, the Department shall, upon the request of the local governing body and upon the recordation of a deed of gift or donation by such landowner of not less than a 40-foot right-of-way, reimburse abutting landowners a sum equal to $1 per foot of fencing that must be installed to keep cattle from entering the right-of-way from such abutting land. Where such fencing separates pasture land from a water source used by the owner of such pasture land to water his livestock, the Department shall construct or have constructed a means of access by which stock may reach the water source from the pasture land. Moneys for such fencing and construction of access to water shall be taken from highway construction funds. For purposes of this section, a "gated" road is a road on which, prior to July 1, 1986, abutting landowners have maintained a gate or cattle guard.

Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any of the provisions of this article shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $50 for such offense.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to transfer the liability for injuries or property damage caused by such grazing livestock.

Code 1950, § 33-125; 1956, c. 221; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-210; 1986, c. 367; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall promulgate regulations for a comprehensive roadside management program. Such program shall include opportunities for participation by individuals, communities, and local governments and shall address items, including safety, landscape materials, services, funding, recognition, and appropriate signing.

2004, c. 679, § 33.1-223.2:9; 2014, c. 805.

A. Upon application of the board of directors of any soil and water conservation district and of the board of supervisors of the county wherein the highway is located, the Department is authorized to permit the intermittent closing of any highway located within the boundaries of such district and county whenever in its judgment it is necessary to do so and when the highway will be intermittently subject to inundation by floodwaters retained by an approved watershed retention structure. All costs associated with such closing shall be borne by the board of supervisors of the county, including the costs of furnishing, erecting, and removing the necessary signs, barricades, signals, and lights to safeguard and direct traffic.

B. Before any permit may be issued for the temporary inundation and closing of such a highway, an application for such permit shall be made to the Department by the board of directors of the soil and water conservation district and the board of supervisors of the county wherein the highway is located. The application shall specify the highway involved and shall request that a permit be granted to the county to allow the intermittent closing of the highway.

C. Before making such application, the board of supervisors of the county wherein such highway is located shall give notice of the proposed action by publication once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, and such notice shall contain a description of the places of beginning and the places of ending of such intermittent closing. In addition to such publication, the board of supervisors of such county shall give notice to all public utilities having facilities located within the rights-of-way of any highway being closed by mailing a copy of such notice to the office of each such public utility located within the county, or if no office is located within the county, then to the office of such utility located nearest to the county. Furthermore, no such application shall be accepted by the Department that does not certify compliance by the applicants with the requirements of publication and notice in the manner prescribed in this section. All costs associated with the application procedure and notice to the public and to public utilities shall be borne by the board of supervisors of the county.

D. Not sooner than 30 days after the last publication and not sooner than 30 days after the mailing of such notice, the Department may issue the permit with respect to such highway. Nothing herein contained shall require the Department to issue such a permit when the Department, in its sole discretion, does not consider such intermittent closing of highways to be in the best interest of fulfilling the Department's duties to the traveling public.

1976, c. 172, § 33.1-223.2; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall provide family restrooms at all rest areas along Interstate System highways in the Commonwealth. All such family restrooms shall be constructed in accordance with federal law. The provisions of this section shall apply only to rest stops constructed on or after July 1, 2003.

2003, c. 279, § 33.1-223.2:7; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall post notice at all rest areas along Interstate System highways in the Commonwealth of the existence of a human trafficking hotline to alert possible witnesses or victims of human trafficking to the availability of a means to report crimes or gain assistance. The notice required by this section shall (i) be posted in a place readily visible and accessible to the public and (ii) meet the requirements specified in subsection C of § 40.1-11.3.

2018, c. 571.

Whenever any locality undertakes administration of a transportation improvement project and obtains, in connection therewith, contractor performance bonds that include the Department as a dual obligee, the amount of such bonds shall be no greater than would have been required had the Department not been included as a dual obligee. The surety's obligation to the Department shall be no greater than its obligation to the locality administering the project, and the amount of the bond is the limit of the surety's obligation to either or both obligees.

2009, c. 395, § 33.1-223.2:22; 2014, c. 805.

Localities may award contracts for the construction of transportation projects on a design-build basis. These contracts may be awarded after a written determination is made by the chief executive officer of the locality that delivery of the projects must be expedited and that it is not in the public interest to comply with the design and construction contracting procedures normally followed. These contracts shall be of such size and scope to encourage maximum competition and participation by qualified contractors. Such determination shall be retained for public inspection in the official records of the locality and shall include a description of the nature and scope of the project and the reasons for the determination that awarding a design-build contract will best serve the public interest. If state or federal transportation funds are used for the contract, then the locality shall comply with the provisions of §§ 33.2-209 and 33.2-214 and shall request from the Department the authority to administer the project in accordance with pertinent state or federal requirements.

2006, c. 419, § 33.1-223.2:16; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall provide for the training and certification of local governments in order that such local governments are capable of administering local maintenance and construction projects that involve the secondary or urban highway system. Such training and certification shall enable such local governments to carry out locally administered projects in compliance with federal and state law and regulations with minimal oversight by Department personnel.

2012, c. 470, § 33.1-223.2:27; 2014, c. 805.

Subject to requirements of federal law or regulations and prior to the initiation of project construction, the Department shall mow the grass and remove weeds and debris on property acquired for the construction of a transportation project by the Department. Such activities shall be performed in accordance with the same schedules used for these activities on other rights-of-way maintained by the Department in the same locality. At the written request of the local governing body or a locality, the Department shall provide additional services on the property acquired for the construction of a transportation project, including removal of abandoned vehicles. Such additional services shall be funded from the construction allocations to the project.

2004, c. 682, § 33.1-223.2:10; 2014, c. 805.

Whenever the Department grants its permission for the construction, installation, location, or placement of a landfill gas pipeline within any highway right-of-way, notice shall be provided by the Department to every county through which such pipeline or any portion thereof will pass.

For the purposes of this section, "landfill gas pipeline" means those facilities exempted from the definition of public utility in subdivisions (b)(6), (7), and (8) of § 56-265.1.

2004, c. 808, § 33.1-223.2:11; 2014, c. 805.

The Department may enter into agreements with any entity constructing interstate pipelines setting forth a reasonable procedure to identify and remedy damage caused by construction of such pipeline to public highways of the Commonwealth.

2017, c. 532.

Any person using steel plates in connection with a temporary or permanent repair to the roadway of any highway shall follow the standards of the Department regarding warnings thereof and the marking of such plates. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any portion of a roadway that is closed to vehicular traffic.

2005, c. 537, § 33.1-223.2:14; 2014, c. 805.

Nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent the application and installation of traffic control measures to reduce the negative effects of traffic through residential areas on any component of the secondary highway system that meets the definition of "residence district" in § 46.2-100, even if such component also provides access to a "business district" as defined in the same section. Installation of traffic control measures on any state-maintained highway shall be approved by the Department prior to installation.

Furthermore, nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent the acceptance by the Department of private financing for the application and installation of traffic control measures if and when such measures meet the Department's standards.

2008, c. 468, § 33.1-223.2:19; 2008, c. 471, § 33.1-223.2:20; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall require that Type I (Re-Directive) Impact Attenuators, Terminals (GR-7, GR-9), Truck Mounted Attenuators, and Trailer Mounted Attenuators from the Department's approved products list installed on or after July 1, 2016, in connection with any highway construction or maintenance project funded in whole or in part with revenues of the Commonwealth shall include the manufacturer's identification number specific to the device and stamped on the device itself.

2015, c. 481.

The Department shall determine a quantitative rating on the pavement condition and ride quality of every highway in the primary and secondary state highway systems at least once every five years, using metrics generally accepted in the United States for this purpose. The Department shall post these ratings on its website, organized by transportation district, updated at least quarterly, with interpretive guidance, identifying each (i) primary and secondary highway or segment thereof that has been rated, the pavement condition and ride quality rating given, and the date it was last rated and (ii) primary or secondary highway or segment thereof that has not been rated and the approximate date, if available, that the rating is scheduled to be made.

2013, c. 290, § 33.1-223.2:29; 2014, c. 805.

The Department of Transportation (the Department), in consultation with the Department of Emergency Management, shall develop and maintain a map of primary evacuation routes in the Commonwealth. Such map shall be made available on Department's public website.

The Department shall review the quality of the transportation infrastructure along such routes and submit a report on the findings of the Department and any recommended improvements at least once every five years. Such report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website, and the first of such reports shall be submitted no later than the first day of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

2020, c. 704.

A. Whenever the Board or the Department plan for or undertake any highway construction or improvement project and such project includes or may include the requirement for the mitigation of traffic noise impacts, first consideration should be given to the use of noise reducing design and low noise pavement materials and techniques in lieu of construction of noise walls or sound barriers. Vegetative screening, such as the planting of appropriate conifers, in such a design would be utilized to act as a visual screen if visual screening is required.

B. The Department shall expedite the development of quiet pavement technology such that applicable contract solicitations for paving shall include specifications for quiet pavement technology and other sound mitigation alternatives in any case in which sound mitigation is a consideration. To that end, the Department shall construct demonstration projects sufficient in number and scope to assess applicable technologies. The assessment shall include evaluation of the functionality and public safety of these technologies in Virginia's climate and shall be evaluated over at least two full winters. The Department shall provide an initial interim report to the Governor and the General Assembly by June 30, 2012, a second interim report by June 30, 2013, and a final report by June 30, 2015. The report shall include results of demonstration projects in Virginia, results of the use of quiet pavement in other states, a plan for routine implementation of quiet pavement, and any safety, cost, or performance issues that have been identified by the demonstration projects.

C. The governing body of any locality, at its own expense, may evaluate noise from highways it may designate for analysis. Such evaluation shall be accepted and relied upon by the Department if such evaluation is prepared in accordance with and complies with applicable federal law, regulations, and requirements, as well as guidelines and policies issued by the Board, relating to noise abatement and evaluation. This provision shall not apply to projects for which the Department is required to perform a noise analysis.

2009, c. 120, § 33.1-223.2:21; 2011, cc. 476, 790; 2012, c. 171; 2013, c. 120; 2014, c. 805.

The Department may lend or rent equipment and sell materials and supplies used in the building or repairing of highways and streets to any locality or school board, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Department and such locality or school board, provided that the governing body of such locality or school board submits to the Department a certificate setting forth that the material or equipment cannot be furnished from private sources within a reasonable time. The requirement of such a certificate shall not apply to towns with a population of less than 3,500 inhabitants or to the purchase of paint for traffic marking purposes by any locality or school board.

Code 1950, § 33-111; 1952, c. 337; 1954, c. 349; 1956, c. 539; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-195; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

The Department may, upon the request in writing of any department or agency of the Commonwealth, construct and maintain on or in connection with any bridges that now constitute a part of any system of state highways platforms, walkways, or other facilities as may be necessary or proper for the safety and convenience of persons who desire to fish therefrom. The cost shall be paid out of funds furnished by the department or agency making the request from its own funds or funds furnished to such department or agency by gift from private sources. The Department shall not be held responsible for damage caused by the construction or use of such facilities.

Code 1950, § 33-123; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-207; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

Whenever any highway is being constructed and the highway is to pass over any stream or lowland the obstruction of which is necessary to such construction or if the present highway construction can be utilized to provide a suitable dam for a fishpond or water storage area, then upon application of the adjacent property owner requesting that it be so used, the Department may permit such use, provided that such dam shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 33.2-409 through 33.2-414 and any additional cost incurred shall be borne by the requesting property owner.

Code 1950, § 33-123.1; 1952, c. 499; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-208; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

The Department may treat highway surfaces for stabilization and dust control in any town in the Commonwealth upon request of the governing body of such town and may treat highway surfaces for stabilization and dust control in any county of the Commonwealth, the secondary highways within which are not a part of the secondary state highway system, upon request of the governing body thereof, provided that such county or town governing body shall pay to the Department the cost of such treatment. This section applies to any highway that is a part of the primary or secondary state highway system.

Code 1950, § 33-112; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-196; 2013, cc. 585, 646; 2014, c. 805.

The Department shall not, as a result of inactivity on the part of the holder of any electronic toll collection device for a time period of less than one year, (i) charge maintenance fees for electronic toll collection devices or (ii) require users to exchange their electronic toll collection device for a different type.

2018, c. 629.

A. As used in this section:

"Service connection" means any utility facility installed overhead or underground between a distribution main, pipelines, conduits, lines, wires, or other sources of supply and the premises of the individual customer.

"Utility work" means the construction, installation, removal, or substantial maintenance of a privately, publicly, or cooperatively owned line, facility, or system for producing, transmitting, or distributing telecommunications, cable television, electricity, gas, oil, petroleum products, water, steam, storm water not connected with highway drainage, or any other similar commodity, including any fire or police signal system. "Utility work" does not include emergency maintenance or repairs or any work directly related to any individual service connection or service drop.

B. The Department shall establish and maintain a publicly accessible database and map of all utility work that has been approved by the Department and will occur within a highway right-of-way in a residential neighborhood, as specified by the utility. Such database shall include the location where such work will occur, the start date of such work, the projected end date of such work, the company administering such work, and any other relevant information; however, under no circumstances shall such database and map provide information on any (i) utility work within a right-of-way not maintained by the Department; (ii) critical utility infrastructure, as designated by the utility, that, upon disclosure, has the potential to jeopardize security or critical services, including Critical Energy Infrastructure Information and Controlled Unclassified Information; or (iii) information the permittee has designated as confidential. Such information shall be available in the database at least seven days prior to the start date of any such utility work and shall be deleted from such database 90 days after the completion of such work.

2024, c. 271.

The General Assembly finds that there is a compelling public need to provide a balanced multimodal transportation system that enhances the service capabilities of passenger and freight rail, public transportation, highways, aviation, and ports and that it is in the public interest to ensure that passenger and freight rail and public transportation are full participants in that multimodal system to reduce energy consumption, congestion, and air pollution; to enhance the environment; to support economic development; and to ensure the efficient movement of goods and people. Accordingly, the General Assembly finds that this chapter is necessary for the public convenience, safety, and welfare.

1992, c. 167, § 33.1-391.1; 2014, c. 805.

There is hereby created a Department of Rail and Public Transportation reporting to the Secretary of Transportation and subject to the policy oversight of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member of the Board and any committee of the Board dealing with passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation issues.

1992, c. 167, § 33.1-391.2; 2002, c. 355; 2014, c. 805.

Except such powers as are conferred by law upon the Board, or such services as are performed by the Department of Transportation pursuant to law, the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall have the power to do all acts necessary or convenient for establishing, maintaining, improving, and promoting public transportation, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and passenger and freight rail transportation in the Commonwealth and to procure architectural and engineering services for rail and public transportation projects as specified in § 2.2-4303.1.

1992, c. 167, § 33.1-391.3; 2002, c. 355; 2009, c. 564; 2013, c. 583; 2014, c. 805; 2015, cc. 760, 776.

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation has the following general powers:

1. To accept grants from the United States government and agencies and instrumentalities thereof and any other source. To these ends, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation has the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable;

2. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including contracts with the United States government, other states, agencies and governmental subdivisions of Virginia, and other appropriate public and private entities;

3. To assist other appropriate entities, public or private, in the implementation and improvement of passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation services and the retention of rail corridors for public purposes;

4. To represent and promote the Commonwealth's interests in passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation; and

5. To acquire and hold title to the land necessary to construct railway lines in order to reduce traffic congestion on highways and shift traffic to rail transportation and acquire by any means whatsoever, lease, improve, and construct railway lines, passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation facilities, and passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation equipment determined to be for the common good of the Commonwealth or a region of the Commonwealth and assist other appropriate entities in the implementation and improvement of passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation services and the retention of rail corridors for public purposes.

1992, c. 167, § 33.1-391.4; 2002, c. 355; 2013, c. 211; 2014, c. 805.

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation has the responsibility to:

1. Determine present and future needs for, and economic feasibility of providing, public transportation, transportation demand management, and ridesharing facilities and services and the retention, improvement, and addition of passenger and freight rail transportation in the Commonwealth;

2. Formulate and implement plans and programs for the establishment, improvement, development and coordination of public transportation, transportation demand management, and ridesharing facilities and services, and the development, retention, and improvement of passenger and freight rail transportation services and corridors in the Commonwealth, including lines for higher speed passenger rail that will shift traffic from the highways to passenger rail and thereby reduce traffic congestion, and coordinate transportation demand management and innovative technological transportation initiatives with the Department of Transportation;

3. Coordinate with the Department of Transportation in the conduct of research, policy analysis, and planning for the rail and public transportation modes as may be appropriate to alleviate traffic congestion on highways by shifting traffic to passenger rail and to ensure the provision of effective, safe, and efficient public transportation and passenger and freight rail services in the Commonwealth;

4. Develop uniform financial and operating data on and criteria for evaluating all public transportation activities in the Commonwealth, develop specific methodologies for the collection of such data by public transit operators, regularly and systematically verify such data by means of financial audits and periodic field reviews of operating data collection methodologies, and develop such other information as may be required to evaluate the performance and improve the economy or efficiency of public transit or passenger and freight rail operations, transportation demand management programs, and ridesharing in the Commonwealth;

5. Compile and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all abandoned railroad corridors in the Commonwealth abandoned after January 1, 1970;

6. Provide training and other technical support services to transportation operators and ridesharing coordinators as may be appropriate to improve public transportation, ridesharing, and passenger and freight rail services;

7. Maintain liaison with state, local, district, and federal agencies or other entities, private and public, having responsibilities for passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation programs;

8. Receive, administer, and allocate all planning, operating, capital, and any other grant programs from the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and other agencies of the United States government for public transportation, passenger and freight rail transportation, transportation demand management, and ridesharing purposes with approval of the Board and to comply with all conditions attendant thereto;

9. Administer all state grants for public transportation, rail transportation, ridesharing, and transportation demand management purposes with approval of the Board;

10. Promote the use of public transportation, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and passenger and freight rail services to improve the mobility of Virginia's citizens and the transportation of goods;

11. Represent the Commonwealth on local, regional, and national agencies, industry associations, committees, task forces, and other entities, public and private, having responsibility for passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation;

12. Represent the Commonwealth's interests in passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, and public transportation and coordinate with the Department of Transportation in the planning, location, design, construction, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, purchase, and rehabilitation of facilities and services that affect or are used by passenger and freight rail, transportation demand management, ridesharing, or public transportation;

13. Coordinate with the State Corporation Commission on all matters dealing with rail safety inspections and rail regulations that fall within its purview;

14. Prepare and review state legislation and Commonwealth recommendations on federal legislation and regulations as directed by the Secretary of Transportation;

15. Promote public transportation, ridesharing, and passenger and freight rail safety; and

16. Ensure the safety of rail fixed guideway transit systems within the Commonwealth and carry out state safety and security oversight responsibilities for rail fixed guideway transit systems as required by the Federal Transit Administration and federal law. For any rail fixed guideway transit system operated within the Commonwealth pursuant to an interstate compact, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall perform its oversight responsibilities in accordance with the interstate compact governing the operation of such system and any applicable federal law.

1992, c. 167, § 33.1-391.5; 2002, c. 355; 2007, c. 435; 2009, c. 146; 2013, c. 211; 2014, c. 805.

A. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall develop guidelines, subject to the approval of the Board, for the development of strategic plans for transit agencies that (i) serve an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more and (ii) have a bus fleet consisting of at least 20 buses.

B. As a condition of receiving funds from the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, any transit agency that meets the criteria of subsection A shall develop, and update at least once every five years, a strategic plan using the guidelines approved by the Board.

C. The guidelines shall require the following:

1. An assessment of state of good repair needs;

2. A review of the performance of fixed-route bus service, including schedules, route design, connectivity, and vehicle sizes;

3. An evaluation of opportunities to improve operating efficiency of the transit network, including reliability of trips and travel speed;

4. An examination and identification of opportunities to share services where multiple transit providers' services overlap; and

5. An examination of opportunities to improve service in underserved areas.

D. In addition to developing and updating a strategic plan pursuant to this section, in all planning districts with transit systems collectively serving population areas of not less than 1.5 million nor more than 2 million, such transit systems shall develop a regional transit planning process coordinated by the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization. Such planning process shall include the identification and prioritization of projects, the establishment of performance benchmarks that incorporate state and federal requirements, the development and implementation of a regional subsidy allocation model, and the distribution of funds solely designated for transit and rail and that are administered by a regional body authorized by this Code to enter into agreements for the operation and maintenance of transit and rail facilities.

2018, cc. 854, 856.

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Authority" means the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Authority.

"Bonds" means the revenue notes, bonds, certificates, and other evidences of indebtedness or obligations of the Authority.

"Cost" means, as applied to rail facilities, (i) the cost of construction; (ii) the cost of acquisition of all lands, structures, fixtures, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property rights and interests; (iii) the cost of demolishing, removing, or relocating any buildings, structures, or fixtures on lands acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings, structures, or fixtures may be moved or relocated; (iv) the cost of all labor, materials, machinery, and equipment; (v) financing charges and interest on all bonds prior to and during construction and for one year after completion of construction; (vi) the cost of engineering, financial, and legal services, plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, and other expenses incidental to determining the feasibility of acquiring, constructing, operating, or maintaining rail facilities; (vii) administrative expenses, provisions for working capital, and reserves for interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, and improvements; and (viii) such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the acquisition, construction, financing, operations, and maintenance of rail facilities. Any obligation or expense incurred by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof for studies, surveys, borings, preparation of plans, and specification or other work or materials in the acquisition or construction of rail facilities may be regarded as a part of the cost of rail facilities and may be reimbursed to the Commonwealth or any agency thereof out of the proceeds of the bonds issued for such rail facilities as herein authorized.

"Department" means the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

"Rail facilities" means the assets consisting of the real, personal, or mixed property, or any interest in that property, whether tangible or intangible, that are determined to be necessary or convenient for the provision of passenger rail service. "Rail facilities" includes all property or interests necessary or convenient for the acquiring, providing, using, equipping, or maintaining of a rail facility or system, including right-of-way, trackwork, train controls, stations, and maintenance facilities.

"Transportation Board" means the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The General Assembly finds and determines that (i) it is the policy of the Commonwealth to improve, identify, encourage, and promote new approaches to economic development throughout the Commonwealth; (ii) passenger rail travel and services are integral to the economic development and expansion of the Commonwealth's economy; and (iii) there exists in the Commonwealth a need to increase passenger rail capacity in the Commonwealth and improve passenger rail services.

B. In order to increase passenger rail capacity, improve passenger rail services, ameliorate current and future traffic congestion on Virginia highways, and promote the industrial and economic development of the Commonwealth, there is hereby created a body corporate and political subdivision of the Commonwealth to be known as the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. The Authority is hereby constituted as a public instrumentality exercising public and essential governmental functions, and the exercise of powers conferred by this article shall be deemed to be the performance of an essential governmental function and matters of public necessity for which public moneys may be spent and private property acquired.

C. The purpose of the Authority shall be to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth and to increase ridership of such service by connecting population centers with passenger and commuter rail service and increasing availability of such service.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The Authority shall be governed by the Board of Directors of the Authority consisting of 15 members as follows: (i) 12 nonlegislative citizen members, appointed by the Governor, who shall serve with voting privileges; (ii) a designee of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Passenger Rail Corporation, who shall serve without voting privileges; (iii) the chief executive officer of a commuter rail service jointly operated by the Northern Virginia Transportation District established pursuant to § 33.2-1904 and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation District established pursuant to the Transportation District Act (§ 33.2-1900 et seq.), who shall serve ex officio without voting privileges; and (iv) the Director of the Department, who shall serve ex officio and shall have voting privileges only in the event of a tie. Of the 12 nonlegislative citizen members with voting privileges:

1. Three members shall reside within the boundaries of the Northern Virginia Transportation District established pursuant to § 33.2-1904. Such members may be selected from a list recommended by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, after due consideration of such list by the Governor;

2. Three members shall reside within the boundaries of the Potomac-Rappahannock Transportation District established pursuant to the Transportation District Act of 1964 (§ 33.2-1900 et seq.). Such members may be selected from a list recommended by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, after due consideration of such list by the Governor;

3. Two members shall reside within the boundaries of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority established pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 33.2-2900 et seq.);

4. Two members shall reside within the boundaries of the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission established pursuant to Chapter 26 (§ 33.2-2600 et seq.);

5. One member shall reside within the boundaries of Planning District 5, 9, 10, or 11; and

6. One member shall reside within the boundaries of Planning District 3 or 4.

B. The nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term and shall be effective until 30 days after the next meeting of the ensuing General Assembly and, if confirmed, thereafter for the remainder of the term. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term for which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining that member's eligibility for reappointment. No member of a governing body of a locality shall be eligible, during the term of office for which he was elected or appointed, to serve as an appointed member of the Board. The Director shall serve terms coincident with his term of office.

C. The Director of the Department shall serve as chairman of the Board. The Board shall annually elect from among its members a vice-chairman and a secretary. The Board shall also annually elect a treasurer, who need not be a member of the Board, and may also elect other subordinate officers who need not be a member of the Board, as it deems proper. The chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board. In the absence of both the chairman and vice-chairman, the Board shall appoint a chairman pro tempore, who shall preside at such meetings.

D. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the Authority's business, and no vacancy in the membership shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Authority. All actions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting, except that the sale of land or issuance of bonds shall require an affirmative vote of nine members present and voting.

E. The Board shall meet at least once quarterly. The Board shall determine the times and places of its regular meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held when requested by three or more members of the Board. Any such request for a special meeting shall be in writing, and the request shall specify the time and place of the meeting and the matters to be considered at the meeting. A reasonable effort shall be made to provide each member with notice of any special meeting. No matter not specified in the notice shall be considered at such special meeting unless all members of the Board are present.

F. The members of the Board shall be entitled to reimbursement for their reasonable travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board or while otherwise engaged in the discharge of their duties. Such expenses shall be paid out of the treasury of the Authority upon vouchers signed by the chairman of the Board or by such other person or persons as may be designated by the Board for this purpose.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275; 2022, c. 212.

A. The Board shall employ an Executive Director of the Authority, who shall not be a member of the Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, to direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Authority and carry out the powers and duties conferred upon him as may be delegated to him by the Board. The Executive Director's compensation from the Commonwealth shall be fixed by the Board in accordance with law. This compensation shall be established at a level that will enable the Authority to attract and retain a capable Executive Director.

B. The Executive Director shall employ or retain such other agents or employees subordinate to the Executive Director as may be necessary, subject to the Board's approval.

C. Employees of the Authority shall be employed on such terms and conditions as established by the Authority and shall be considered employees of the Commonwealth. Employees of the Authority shall be eligible for membership in the Virginia Retirement System or other retirement plans authorized by Article 4 (§ 51.1-125 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 51.1 and participation in all health and related insurance and other benefits, including premium coverage and flexible benefits, available to state employees and provided by law. The Board shall develop and adopt personnel rules, policies, and procedures to give its employees grievance rights, ensure that employment decisions shall be based upon merit and fitness of applicants, and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Board shall develop, implement, and administer a paid leave program, which may include annual, personal, and sick leave or any combination thereof. All other leave benefits shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 11 (§ 51.1-1100 et seq.) or Chapter 11.1 (§ 51.1-1150 et seq.) of Title 51.1, except as otherwise provided in this section.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

Any conflict between any authority granted to localities or other entities of the Commonwealth, other than the Transportation Board and the Department, with respect to the ownership or use of rail facilities or the provision of passenger rail service, or the exercise of that authority, and the exercise of the authority granted by the Board under this article shall be resolved in favor of the exercise of such authority by the Board. Rights-of-way transferred to the Authority from a railroad shall not be subject to the requirements of any local ordinances enacted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The Authority, in addition to other powers enumerated in this article, is hereby granted and shall have and may exercise all powers necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its statutory purposes, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power to:

1. Make and adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations;

2. Adopt, use, and alter at will a common seal;

3. Maintain offices;

4. Sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, complain, and defend in all courts in its own name; however, this shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any sovereign immunity to which the Authority or its officers, directors, employees, or agents are otherwise entitled;

5. Grant others the privilege to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain rail facilities;

6. Grant others the privilege to operate concessions, leases, and franchises, including but not limited to the accommodation and comfort of persons using rail facilities and the provision of ground transportation services and parking facilities for such persons;

7. Borrow money and issue bonds to finance and refinance rail facilities pursuant to § 33.2-294; and pledge or otherwise encumber all or any of the revenues or receipts of the Authority as security for all or any of the obligations of the Authority, subject to the limitations in subsection J of § 33.2-294;

8. Fix, alter, charge, and collect fees, rates, rentals, and other charges for the use of rail facilities, the sale of products, or services rendered by the Authority at rates to be determined by it for the purpose of providing for the payment of (i) expenses of the Authority; (ii) the costs of planning, development, construction, improvement, rehabilitation, repair, furnishing, maintenance, and operation of its rail facilities and properties; (iii) the costs of accomplishing its purposes set forth in § 33.2-288; and (iv) the principal of and interest on its obligations, and the funding of reserves for such purposes, and the costs of maintaining, repairing, and operating any rail facilities and fulfilling the terms and provisions of any agreement made with the purchasers or holders of any such obligations;

9. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties, the furtherance of its purposes, and the execution of its powers under this article, including agreements with any person, federal agency, other state, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth;

10. Employ, in its discretion, consultants, attorneys, architects, engineers, accountants, financial experts, investment bankers, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as may be necessary and fix their compensation to be payable from funds lawfully available to the Authority;

11. Appoint advisory committees as may be necessary for the performance of its duties, the furtherance of its purposes, and the execution of its powers under this article;

12. Vacate or change location of any portion of any public highway, street, public way, public utility, sewer, pipe, main, conduit, cable, wire, tower pole, or other equipment of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and reconnect the same in a new location;

13. Enter upon lands, waters, and premises for surveys, soundings, borings, examinations, and other activities as may be necessary for the performance of its duties;

14. Receive and accept from any federal or private agency, foundation, corporation, association, or person grants, donations of money or real or personal property for the benefit of the Authority and receive and accept from the Commonwealth or any state, and any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof and from any other source, aid or contributions of either money, property, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied for the purposes for which such grants and contributions may be made, provided that any federal moneys so received and accepted shall be accepted and expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States and as are consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and any state moneys so received shall be accepted and expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the Commonwealth;

15. Accept loans from the federal government, the state government, regional authorities, localities, and private sources, provided that any federal moneys so accepted shall be accepted and expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States and as are consistent with laws of the Commonwealth and any state moneys so accepted shall be accepted and expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the Commonwealth;

16. Lease or sell and convey the airspace superadjacent or subadjacent to any rail facility owned by the Authority;

17. Pledge or otherwise encumber all or any of the revenues or receipts of the Authority as security for all or any of the obligations of the Authority;

18. Participate in joint ventures with individuals, domestic or foreign stock and nonstock corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, associations, foundations, or other supporting organizations or other entities for providing passenger rail or related services or other activities that the Authority may undertake to the extent that such undertakings assist the Authority in carrying out the purposes and intent of this article;

19. Act as a "responsible public entity" for the purposes of the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.); and

20. Undertake all actions necessary and convenient to carry out the powers granted herein.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Authority shall not directly operate any passenger, commuter, or other rail service.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The Authority shall have the right to acquire by purchase, lease, or grant rail facilities and other lands, structures, property, both real and personal, tangible and intangible, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests therein, whether located within or not within the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth, for the construction, operation, maintenance, and use of rail facilities.

B. The Authority shall have the right to hold and dispose of rail facilities and other lands, structures, property, both real and personal, tangible and intangible, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests therein in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this article, including but not limited to the sale, exchange, lease, mortgage, or pledge of such property or interest therein, provided that any such disposition that involves property or interests with a fair market value in excess of $5 million shall require the consent of the Transportation Board.

C. The Commonwealth and any agencies or political subdivisions thereof may provide services, donate, lease, sell, convey, or otherwise transfer, with or without consideration or for minimal consideration, real or personal property and make appropriations to the Authority for the design, acquisition, construction, equipping, maintenance, and operation of rail facilities and may issue bonds in the manner provided in the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) or in its municipal charter for the purpose of providing funds to be appropriated to the Authority; the Authority may agree to assume, or reimburse such a political subdivision for, any indebtedness incurred by such political subdivision with respect to facilities conveyed by it to the Authority.

D. The Authority is authorized to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property, including public lands, parks, playgrounds, reservations, highways, or parkways, or parts thereof or rights therein, of any person, partnership, association, railroad, public service, public utility, or other corporation, or of any municipality, county, or other political subdivision, deemed necessary for the construction or the efficient operation of rail facilities or necessary in the restoration, replacement, or relocation of public or private property damaged or destroyed whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon with the governing body of such municipality, county, or other political subdivision as to such property owned by it or whenever the Authority cannot agree on the terms of purchase or settlement with the other owners because of the incapacity of such owners, because of the inability to agree on the compensation to be paid or other terms of settlement or purchase, or because such owners are nonresidents of the Commonwealth, are unknown, or are unable to convey valid title to such property. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of any and all laws of the Commonwealth applicable to the exercise of the power of eminent domain and subject to the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1. Title to any property condemned by the Authority shall immediately vest in the Authority, and the Authority shall be entitled to the immediate possession of such property upon the deposit with the clerk of the court in which such condemnation proceedings are originated of the total amount of the appraised price of the property and court costs and fees as provided by law, notwithstanding that any of the parties to such proceedings may appeal from any decision in such condemnation proceedings. Whenever the Authority makes such deposit in connection with any condemnation proceedings, the making of such deposit shall not preclude the Authority from appealing any decision rendered in such proceedings. Upon the deposit with the clerk of the court of the appraised price, any person entitled thereto may, upon petition to the court, be paid his or their pro rata share of 100 percent of such appraised price. The acceptance of such payment shall not preclude such person from appealing any decision rendered in such proceedings. If the appraisal is greater or less than the amount finally determined by the decision in such proceedings or by an appeal, the amount of the increase or decrease shall be paid or refunded to the Authority.

E. The acquisition of any such property by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain for the purposes provided herein shall be and is declared to be a public use of such property.

F. For purposes of this section, the terms "appraised price" and "appraisal" mean the value determined by two competent real estate appraisers appointed by the Authority for such purposes.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The Authority may issue bonds from time to time in its discretion, for any of its purposes, including the payment of all or any part of the cost of rail facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any bonds issued to pay for the initial funding of capital projects shall be limited to financing capital expenditures and projects submitted for approval by the Transportation Board as set forth in § 33.2-298.

B. The Authority may issue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding that shall have been issued under the provisions of this article, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date fixed for redemption of such bonds. The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the rights, duties, and obligations of the Authority in respect of the same shall be governed by the provisions of this article insofar as the same may be applicable.

C. The bonds of each issue shall be dated such date as may be determined by the Authority; shall bear interest at such rate or rates as shall be fixed by the Authority, or as may be determined in such manner as the Authority may provide, including the determination by agents designated by the Authority under guidelines established by the Authority; shall mature at such time or times not exceeding 40 years from their date or dates, as may be determined by the Authority; and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the Authority, at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Authority prior to the issuance of the bonds.

D. The Authority shall determine the form of the bonds and manner of execution of the bonds and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. The bonds shall be signed by the chairman or vice-chairman of the Authority or, if so authorized by the Authority, shall bear his facsimile signature and the official seal of the Authority, or, if so authorized by the Authority, a facsimile thereof shall be impressed or imprinted thereon and attested by the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Authority, or, if so authorized by the Authority, with the facsimile signature of such secretary or assistant secretary. Any coupons attached to bonds issued by the Authority shall bear the signature of the chairman or vice-chairman of the Authority or a facsimile thereof. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery, and any bonds may bear the facsimile signature of, or may be signed by, such persons as at the actual time of the execution of such bonds shall be the proper officers to sign such bonds although at the date of such bonds such persons may not have been such officers.

E. The bonds may be issued in coupon or in registered form, or both, as the Authority may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, for the reconversion into coupon bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest, and for the interchange of registered and coupon bonds. Bonds issued in registered form may be issued under a system of book-entry for recording the ownership and transfer of ownership of rights to receive payment of principal of, and premium on, if any, and interest on such bonds. The Authority may contract for the services of one or more banks, trust companies, financial institutions, or other entities or persons, within or outside the Commonwealth, for the authentication, registration, transfer, exchange, and payment of the bonds or may provide such services itself. The Authority may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price as it may determine will best effect the purposes of this article.

F. The proceeds of the bonds of each issue shall be used solely for the purposes, and in furtherance of the powers, of the Authority as may be provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in the trust agreement hereinafter mentioned securing the same.

G. In addition to the above powers, the Authority shall have the authority to issue interim receipts or temporary bonds as provided in § 15.2-2616 and to execute and deliver new bonds in place of bonds mutilated, lost, or destroyed as provided in § 15.2-2621.

H. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this article shall be payable solely from funds available pursuant to the provisions of this article, and no liability shall be incurred by the Authority hereunder beyond the extent to which moneys shall have been provided or received under the provisions of this article.

I. At the discretion of the Authority, any bonds issued under the provisions of this article may be secured by a trust indenture or agreement by and between the Authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. Such trust indenture or agreement or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may pledge or assign the revenues to be received and provide for the mortgage of any rail facilities or property or any part thereof. Such trust indenture or agreement or resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants providing for the repossession and sale by the Authority or any trustees under any trust indenture or agreement of any rail facilities, or part thereof, upon any default under the lease or sale of such rail facilities, setting forth the duties of the Authority in relation to the acquisition of property and the planning, development, acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, establishment, improvement, extension, enlargement, maintenance, repair, operation, and insurance of the rail facilities in connection with which such bonds shall have been authorized; the amounts of rates, rents, fees, and other charges to be charged; the collection of such rates, rents, fees, and other charges; the custody, safeguarding, and application of all moneys; and conditions or limitations with respect to the issuance of additional bonds. It is lawful for any national bank with its main office in the Commonwealth or any other state or any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth or another state that may act as depository of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the Authority. Any such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may set forth the rights of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may contain such other provisions as the Authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders, including, without limitation, provisions for the assignment to a corporate trustee or escrow agent of any rights of the Authority in any project owned by, or leases or sales of any rail facilities made by, the Authority. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust indenture or agreement or resolution or other agreements relating to any rail facilities, including those to which the Authority may not be a party, may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the rail facilities.

J. No obligation of the Authority shall be deemed to constitute a debt, or pledge of the faith and credit, of the Commonwealth or of any other political subdivision thereof but shall be payable solely from the revenues and other funds of the Authority pledged thereto, excluding revenues provided from the Commonwealth Rail Fund pursuant to § 33.2-1526.4. All such obligations shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that the Commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof, and the Authority shall not be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon except from revenues and other funds of the Authority pledged thereto, and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such obligations.

K. Any bonds or refunding bonds issued under the provisions of this article and any transfer of such bonds shall at all times be free from Commonwealth and local taxation. The interest on the bonds and any refunding bonds or bond anticipation notes shall at all times be exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and by any political subdivision thereof.

L. Neither the directors of the Board nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof.

M. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this article or any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust indenture or agreement or resolution, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by such trust indenture or agreement or resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, may either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the Commonwealth or granted hereunder or under such trust indenture or agreement or resolution and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this article or by such trust indenture or agreement or resolution to be performed by the Authority or by any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging, and collecting of rates, rentals, fees, and other charges.

N. Provision may be made in the proceedings authorizing refunding bonds for the purchase of the refunded bonds in the open market or pursuant to tenders made from time to time where there is available in the escrow or sinking fund for the payment of the refunded bonds a surplus in an amount to be fixed in such proceedings.

O. 1. The Authority is hereby authorized to apply for, execute, and/or endorse applications submitted by private entities or political subdivisions of the Commonwealth to obtain federal credit assistance for one or more qualifying transportation infrastructure projects or facilities to be developed pursuant to the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.). Any such application, agreement, and/or endorsement shall not financially obligate the Commonwealth or be construed to implicate the credit of the Commonwealth as security for any such federal credit assistance.

2. The Authority is hereby authorized to pursue or otherwise apply for, and execute, an agreement to obtain financing using a federal credit instrument for project financings otherwise authorized by this article or other acts of assembly.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

Bonds issued by the Authority under the provisions of this article are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, and all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations of the Commonwealth is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

All moneys received by the Authority pursuant to this article including, without limitation, moneys received from the Commonwealth Rail Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1526.4, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this article. The resolution authorizing the bonds of any issue or the trust indenture or agreement or resolution securing such bonds shall provide that any officer with whom, or any bank or trust company with which, such moneys shall be deposited shall act as a trustee of such moneys and shall hold and apply the same for the purposes hereof, subject to such regulations as this article and such trust indenture or agreement or resolution may provide.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

All moneys of the Authority, from whatever source derived, shall be paid to the treasurer of the Authority. Such moneys shall be deposited in the first instance by the treasurer in one or more banks or trust companies, in one or more special accounts. All banks and trust companies are authorized to give such security for such deposits, if required by the Authority. The moneys in such accounts shall be paid out on the warrant or other order of such person or persons as the Authority may authorize to execute such warrants or orders.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The Authority shall prepare and submit a detailed annual operating plan and budget to the Transportation Board by February 1 of each fiscal year. The Authority shall also prepare and submit for approval any proposed capital expenditures and projects for the following fiscal year to the Transportation Board by February 1. The Transportation Board shall have until May 30 to approve or deny any capital expenditures, and, in the event the Transportation Board has not approved or denied the Authority's proposed capital expenditures by such deadline, such expenditures shall be deemed approved. The operating plan and budget shall be in a form prescribed by the Transportation Board and shall include information on expenditures, indebtedness, and other information as prescribed by the Transportation Board.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. The accounts and records of the Authority showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be in a form prescribed by governmental generally accepted accounting principles. Such accounts shall correspond as nearly as possible to the accounts and records for such matters maintained by enterprises.

B. The accounts of the Authority shall be audited annually by a certified public accounting firm selected by the Auditor of Public Accounts with the assistance of the Authority through a process of competitive negotiation. The cost of such audit and review shall be borne by the Authority.

C. The Authority shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before November 1 of each year. Such report shall contain the audited financial statements of the Authority for the fiscal year ending the preceding June 30.

D. The Board, the General Assembly, or the Governor may at any time request that the Office of the State Inspector General, created pursuant to § 2.2-308, review any area of the Authority's finances or operations.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) and the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) shall not apply to the Authority in the exercise of any power conferred under this article. The Authority shall develop and adopt rules governing their procurement procedures. However, such rules adopted for the procurement of professional services with a cost expected to exceed $80,000 shall be consistent with the provisions of §§ 2.2-4302.2, 2.2-4303.1 and 2.2-4303.2. The initial rules shall be adopted by the Board no later than six months after the first meeting of the Board.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The Authority is empowered to adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations governing any and all activities using Authority property. Such rules and regulations shall have the force and effect of law after publication one time in full in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city where the affected property is located.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The exercise of the powers granted by this article will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as the operation and maintenance of rail facilities by the Authority and the undertaking of activities in the furtherance of the purposes of the Authority will constitute the performance of the essential governmental functions, the Authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any rail facilities or any property acquired or used by the Authority under the provisions of this article or upon the income therefrom, including sales and use taxes on the tangible personal property used in the operations of the Authority. The exemption hereby granted shall not be construed to extend to persons conducting on the premises of any rail facility businesses for which local or state taxes would otherwise be required.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The Authority is empowered to cooperate with, and act as an agent for, the United States or any agency, department, corporation, or instrumentality thereof in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of rail facilities of the Commonwealth and in any other matter within the purposes, duties, and powers of the Authority.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

The Transportation Board and the Department shall cooperate and assist the Authority in the accomplishment of its purposes as set forth in § 33.2-288.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

Whenever the Board determines that the purposes for which it was created have been substantially fulfilled or are impractical or impossible to accomplish and that all bonds theretofore issued and all other obligations therefore incurred by the Authority have been paid or that cash or a sufficient amount of United States government securities has been deposited for their payment, and upon the approval of the Governor and the General Assembly, the Board may adopt resolutions or ordinances declaring and finding that the Authority should be dissolved and that appropriate articles of dissolution shall be filed with the State Corporation Commission. Upon the filing of such articles of dissolution by the Authority, such dissolution shall become effective and the title to all funds and other property owned by the Authority at the time of such filing shall vest in the Department.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.), the Authority shall keep confidential trade secrets or confidential proprietary information, not publicly available, provided by a private person or entity pursuant to a promise of confidentiality where if such information were made public, the financial interest of the private person or entity could be adversely affected. In order for trade secrets or proprietary information to be excluded from the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the private person or entity shall (i) invoke such exclusion upon submission of the data or other materials for which protection from disclosure is sought, (ii) identify the data or other materials for which protection is sought, and (iii) state the reason why protection is necessary.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the Authority shall keep confidential information submitted by a private person, entity, or other party in negotiations with the Authority, where if such information was made public prior to the execution of a business arrangement, the financial interests of bargaining positions of the public or private entity would be adversely affected.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.

Neither this article nor anything herein contained is or shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers that the Authority might otherwise have under any laws of the Commonwealth, and this article is cumulative to any such powers. This article does and shall be construed to provide a complete, additional, and alternative method for the doing of things authorized thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to power conferred by other laws. However, except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, the issuance of bonds, notes, and other obligations and refunding bonds under the provisions of this article need not comply with the requirements of any other law of the Commonwealth applicable to the issuance of bonds, notes, and other obligations. No proceedings, notice, or approval shall be required for the issuance of any bonds, notes, and other obligations or any instrument as security therefor, except as is provided in this article.

2020, cc. 1230, 1275.