by James A. Bacon

With no debate over spending priorities, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) affixed its stamp Wednesday to the Six-Year Improvement Plan submitted by the McDonnell administration. Drawing upon a revenue influx from the transportation tax package passed earlier this year, the commonwealth will increase spending on rail and highway projects from $11.4 billion over a six-year horizon in the 2013-2018 program to $17.6 billion in the 2014-2019 program, an increase of 54%.

“For the first time in a generation, the commonwealth has new, sustainable funding that will be used to rebuild roads and bridges, ease congestion and provide more transportation options through rail, transit and other improvements,” said Governor McDonnell in a press release.

The bulk of new construction spending will occur in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, where revenues from new regional taxes will support regional funding priorities. Northern Virginia will receive an estimated $1.9 billion over the six-year planning horizon while Hampton Roads will get $1.3 billion. Additionally, an estimated $2.5 billion will be distributed through traditional allocation formulas across the state.

According to a presentation by Reta R. Busher, chief of planning and programming for the Virginia Department of Transportation, the CTB formula distribution will be allocated as follows:

25% to bridge reconstruction and rehabilitation
25% to “high priority projects” statewide
25% to reconstructing deteriorate interstate and primary system pavements
15% to Public Private Partnership projects
5% to paving unpaved roads
5% to smart roadway technology