Dec. 8-Press Release from Gov. Bob McDonnell outling his 2012 Transportation Plan, which introduces funding, promotion and the policy framework

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2011 Contact: Jeff Caldwell Phone: (804) 225-4260 Email: Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov Governor McDonnell Outlines 2012 Transportation Plan ~Introduces funding, promotion, and policy framework at 2011 Governor’s Transportation Conference in Norfolk~ *Governor’s 2011 Transportation Package Was Biggest Investment in Roads and Rail in Commonwealth in 25 Years* NORFOLK – Speaking to more than 700 hundred industry and transportation agency professionals during the 2011 Governor’s Transportation Conference in Norfolk, Governor Bob McDonnell today outlined his transportation policy and funding plans for the upcoming 2012 General Assembly Session. The governor called for changes in laws governing the allocation of future surpluses to transportation, dedicating portions of revenue growth attributable to transportation infrastructure projects to transportation, increasing the portion of sales tax dedicated to transportation, the establishment of an Interstate 85 Connector Economic Development and Promotion Zone to encourage businesses to invest in Virginia and ship through Virginia ports, and the advancement of Virginia’s commercial space flight programs. The governor’s new proposals follow the successful passage of his 2011 transportation agenda, which put the most new funding into roads and rail in the state in 25 years. “Transportation and economic development and prosperity are inextricably linked,� said Governor McDonnell. “Whether it’s the infrastructure needed to move people and goods, or certain transportation-related industries poised for major growth and job creation, we must continue to make progress in improving our transportation networks if Virginia is to remain economically competitive. During my administration, we have made much progress, but we still have much more to do. That is why I am following up on last year’s historic $4 billion transportation funding package with an aggressive transportation program to continue to get Virginia out of gridlock and spur our economic recovery through job creation, forward-thinking investments, and promotion of Virginia’s resources to attract additional private-sector development.� Virginia has made significant advances in transportation under the McDonnell administration. These include, among others: · A historic investment in transportation of $4 billion over the next three years, done without raising taxes. This is the biggest infusion of new funding for transportation in Virginia in 25 years. · Reopening 19 closed rest areas and developing innovative new partnerships with the private sector to offset rest area maintenance and operating costs · Completing four audits of transportation agencies resulting in the identification of more than $1.4 billion in unspent transportation funds and a more streamlined project development process to expedite construction and maintenance work · Creating the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships · Developing a new multimodal strategic plan that focuses on supporting economic opportunity, improving planning and implementation processes, and a renewed emphasis on customer satisfaction · Working with the Federal Highway Administration to move forward with tolling Interstate 95 · Recent signings of major public-private transportation agreements including; · The Downtown-Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension Project · The I-95 HOT Lanes Project · The Pound Connector and Doe Branch sections of Coalfields Expressway · The next eight-mile phase of Route 58 improvements along the 36-mile corridor between Hillsville and Stuart · Advancing the I-85 Connector, a new interstate-style Route 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk “While the governor’s transportation package, which passed with broad bi-partisan support this year, set the framework for investing $4 billion over three years—the largest investment in decades—Virginia must continue its focus on transportation to ensure future generations can depend upon our transportation network to move the goods and services necessary to keep the Commonwealth thriving,� said Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton. “It is all about investing in our transportation network now to create jobs and help Virginia recover from the struggling economy. Last year’s legislation enabled us to accelerate the issuance of $1.8 billion in previously authorized transportation bonds at a time when VDOT is seeing near historically low interest rates, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board will issue $1.1 billion in federally backed direct GARVEE bonds to better leverage our federal transportation dollars to support major congestion reducing PPTA projects. The newly created Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank will help leverage other local and private-sector capital for transportation projects through the issuance of low interest rate loans. Because of these efforts, nearly 900 project phases are moving forward and thousands of jobs have been supported in Virginia.� An independent economic analysis by Chmura Economics showed that once fully implemented, last year’s transportation package would grow the Virginia economy by over $13 billion and sustain an additional 104,000 jobs. This year’s package will build upon that impact. 2012 Transportation Plan Highlights The governor’s proposed transportation plan for 2012 includes the following revenue-enhancements and policies to promote transportation investment: · Increasing transportation’s share of year-end surpluses to 75 percent. This measure will provide transportation with additional revenues without jeopardizing other key areas of need. Over the past 2 years, $100 million in surplus has been sent to transportation. · Authorizing the Commonwealth Transportation Board to implement a version of tax-increment financing. When the state funds a major new piece of transportation infrastructure, transportation should receive a portion of the growth in state tax revenues that result from economic development surrounding the project. These revenues will be reinvested in additional projects that can help spur additional development. · Increasing the dedicated transportation allocation of the sales tax from .5 percent to .75 percent over the next 8 years. During the upcoming budget, increasing the dedicated sales tax percentage to .55 percent generating over $110 million in new transportation funding going to maintenance · Proposing that the first 1 percent in revenue growth over 5 percent each year be dedicated to transportation · Expanding VDOT’s Revenue Sharing Program to include maintenance. Currently, the state will match local money dollar-for-dollar on capital improvements within a locality. Enabling maintenance projects to be eligible for this program will help make our maintenance dollars go farther. · Legislation to restructure and fund the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and turn it into a true independent agency to develop the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport into the number one commercial space flight facility in the nation · Legislation to promote the Port of Virginia by eliminating some of the bureaucratic processes with which the Virginia Port Authority must comply and creating the I-85 Connector Economic Development and Promotion Zone, wherein companies shipping goods through the port or engaged in maritime commerce can operate income tax free for their first two years in operation The governor will announce additional proposals and more detail of this year’s transportation package over the next month leading up to 2012 General Assembly session.