VDOT Makes Big Budget Cuts
posted 11:55 pm Wed April 23, 2008 - Across Virginia
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The downturn in the economy isn't just affecting your bank account, Virginia's roads are the latest to take a hit. The Virginia Department of Transportation (web) says the state's expected revenue is $1.1-billion less than what they had projected.
We’re talking about road projects delayed or canceled. The money the state planned on having just isn't there, less tax revenue is coming into the Commonwealth and the abusive driver fees have been done away with along with challenges to the transportation authority in Hampton Roads. And that all adds up to less money for state funded roads.
So projects like bridge replacement over Aaron's Creek on Route 49 in Halifax County have been cut from the six year improvement plan. Other projects--not in the six year improvement plan have been cancelled or unfunded... like a $120-million new alignment for the Lynchburg bypass. And the widening of Routes 29 and 460 to six lanes, along with numerous bridge projects.
A spokesman for VDOT (web) says projects that are already under construction, like the Route 221 widening project, will go forward. Right now, VDOT says they have to focus on projects that are necessary to keep folks safe on the roads. Everything else will have to wait.
Jeff Caldwell, VDOT Communications Chief - "We are having to make tough decisions. Any choices made on these projects are not because they are not important or because they aren't priorities, we are having make those decisions based on what projects we can actually move forward and achieve significant milestones in our six year plan."
VDOT is holding public meetings across the state talking about these changes. They were here in Lynchburg last week.
Click here for more information from VDOT.
Meanwhile VDOT may abandon a bridge along the Halifax/Charlotte County line. The agency will meet with officials from both counties about the Route 92 Bridge in Clover. The bridge failed a safety inspection in November and VDOT closed it.
VDOT says it's not worth the millions it would cost to fix it. Neighbors saw the ten-mile detour isn't worth it, either. That public hearing is Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Clover Community Center.
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