10/10/07-The first in a series of public meetings on transportation funding in Virginia was held Tuesday, Oct. 9.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board heard testimony in Chesapeake, VA, on a proposed 11 billion budget for road construction and repairs during the next six years. Discussion also included funding for rail projects, better hurricane evacuation routes and bicycle trails, The Virginian-Pilot reported.
The first of nine hearings planned in the state was designed to take public comment. No decisions were made for what to include in the budget.
The final budget is expected to be approved by the General Assembly by July 1, 2008.
The six-year program is updated annually. It allocates $8.7 billion for road work and other transportation projects managed by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Another $2.3 billion is routed to rail and public transportation.