Over the next six years, VDOT plans on spending more than $13 billion on major transportation projects around the state.
So could we see a 3rd crossing to help congestion at the HRBT and Monitor-Merrimac? What about the expansion of the High-Rise Bridge? Or even a light-rail extension to the Oceanfront or to Naval Station Norfolk?
Well, don't get your hopes up. None of those big transportation projects on the Hampton Roads wish list have been included in the Draft Six-Year Improvement Plan, which was just released today.
They are all currently being studied, but no actual construction money for those big projects has been allocated.
In the next few years, the only big project VDOT will commit money to is the I-64 widening project on the Peninsula, adding one lane between Jefferson Boulevard and Yorktown Road.
Other smaller projects include the widening of Military Highway in Norfolk and making capital improvements needed to support 2 additional Amtrack trains to the Southside.
There is nothing, though, that will decrease congestion near water crossings.
There is a lot of money for bridge repairs and concrete pavement work, like the big projects happening on I-264 and I-64 after the pothole emergency.
Taking care of our deteriorating roads and bridges will add up to more than $1.5 billion around the state.
But as it stands, this plan is just a draft.
Several public meetings around the state are scheduled for citizen input, and then it still needs to be approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
