CHESAPEAKE
If a computer were to rank local highway priorities, it would make its top picks widening many sections of Interstate 64, rebuilding Interstate 264 interchanges in Virginia Beach and widening Holland Road in Suffolk.
A computer would also choose expanding the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Midtown Tunnel as No. 1 and No. 2 for bridge and tunnel projects.
But a computer won't be choosing.
Elected leaders serving on the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization will make the selections. A computer is providing data to help guide them.
The leaders' goal is to come to a consensus in time for the upcoming General Assembly session. By clearly identifying priorities, they hope to improve their chances of winning shrinking transportation dollars.
On Wednesday the planning organization reviewed a still-evolving computer model developed by a Virginia Department of Transportation consultant to evaluate and rate projects. VDOT is paying the consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., $150,000 for the work.
The model, based on similar models used in other states, ranks projects on criteria that include congestion, safety, cost-effectiveness, land-use compatibility, road condition, economic vitality and project viability.
A test was run using 43 projects. Separate rankings were developed for highway projects, bridge and tunnel projects, and transit projects. Expanding light rail to Norfolk Naval Station came out on top among transit projects, with a Virginia Beach light-rail extension second.
Some planning organization members questioned how some criteria were measured and weighted. For example, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim wondered how the Midtown Tunnel project, which is the region's only tunnel project that's close to becoming a reality, could come out No. 2.
"We can debate the list," said Del. Glenn Oder, a Republican who represents Newport News. He said he was pleased to start seeing ranking results.
"There are squishy numbers in here," said Dennis Heuer, VDOT's Hampton Roads district administrator. "But it's quantitative data that we can compare and debate."
The consultants received the go-ahead Wednesday to further refine the model and run about 200 projects through.
Aubrey Lane, the newest Commonwealth Transportation Board member from Hampton Roads, told the planning organization that prioritizing needs, which is also done in Northern Virginia, will help the region compete for limited funding.
Northern Virginia has been more successful than Hampton Roads in bringing home road construction money. A planning-organization analysis shows that from 2004 to 2015, Northern Virginia's share of the state's interstate funding is 57.6 percent, compared with Hampton Roads' 16.6 percent.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information. Del. Glenn Oder is a Republican.
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things will get better
when all the lobbyists are gone......
Which is it?
So aalto, are you suggesting the the computer is correct and the Governor Elect Bob McDonnell, who just received 61% of the vote, is wrong?
Nope
I am suggesting you and your inept democrat leadership is wrong.
Don't expect much
Well fine; come January on inaguration day, your boys and girls will have absolutely no excuse. A solution of the problem of lack of funding for transporttion will be totally up to them. The Governor and his team, The Speaker of the House Bill Howell, the anti tax republican majority in the House of Delegates, they will not be able to blame their inaction on a democratic governor, nor take credit, high fives and all, for thwarting what is best for the Commonwealth. Should be an interesting session. Don't expect much
Can't be any worse
Your boys have had 8 years in the leadership office to prove they are inept, so there is no where to go but up!
Warrants?
Good point. I guess we will get to see whether the House of Delegates, which is where transportation funding bills have heretofor gone to die, will suddenly realize the damage they have caused to our transportation infrastructure, and have a sudden urge to do what is right for Virginia. Of course, that will mean breaking their no tax pledge, which means that folks like you and most of the posters on this forum will be their first critics. Sounds like they are between a rock and a hard place, unless paving can be done with promises, repairs to bridges and tunnel with IOUs, and new construction with warrants to pay at some future date.
Grow Up
The only problem the MPO/TPO/Whatever has with the logical outcome from the computer is the results were not what they wanted.
The "leaders" are not capable of using logic to provide solutions like a computer is.
The "leaders" use politicial and developmental gains to suggest how to spend tax dollars. The computer uses logic.
The computer does not need campaign contributions, only electricty..
The computer is not running for re-election.
The computer does not have a hand up its...back..telling it what to do.
The computer proves the "leaders" are wrong.
Improve 460 to Farmville - Roanoke
Improve 460 to Roanoke would give a East - West cut road across from Wakefield to Farmville would give a quicker route to Roanoke, Also 460 would cross I-95 and stay awat from Richmond.
send mike barrett the bill
As a matter of fact Mike, how about donate your entire salary to these projects, since you're the one whom doesn't mind giving all the money away. We are giving & giving & giving some more. I'd even say we're giving until it hurts. Well quit frankly I'm all gave out. How about the state gov't spending w/in it's means. Remember the story about the goose that laid the golden eggs? Well that's what's happening here, your killing the goose, & when that happens, no more golden eggs. So I say, be happy you're getting what you're getting, & make the most out of it. Stop w/the more, more, more, we need smarter, smarter, smarter. Here's another novel idea, how about telling McD that he needs to put the $$'s that Lil Timmy stole from the transportation fund back, instead of paying for his pet handout projects. I'd love to see that, & hope like heck it happens. You see Mike, we're responsible for ourselves, not everyone else. It's time to stop w/all the handouts & start being responsible. Give it a try, you may even like it!
Context, please?
..."Anyway, President Barack Obama is now the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. The democrats have the whole ball of wax. They campaigned on ending the war. Yet we are still there. How's that working out?"..
Can anyone logically and rationally explain to this dumb country boy what any of that has to do with HR"s road problems? Sheeesh!
Dumb country boy?
Parish the thought sir. If you had took the time and read one of the previous posts by our esteemed developer Mr. Barrett, you would have seen where he opined that we (assuming he meant we taxpayers) have spent more for roads in Afganistan hence bringing up the feds into it. It is obvious to me you are shallow and narrow minded to follow the conversation.
Golly gee Mike! Expanding
Golly gee Mike! Expanding the HRBT was no. 1 and the Midtown was number 2? Expanding light rail to Norfolk Naval Base vice the VB oceanfront? Could it be that these projects could remotely have any effect on traffic congestion? What diabolical cunning! And all this time I thought the money and experts that the commonwealth spent all that money and concluded that the new third crossing for the port would relieve gridlock. Anyway, President Barack Obama is now the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. The democrats have the whole ball of wax. They campaigned on ending the war. Yet we are still there. How's that working out?
Progress?
Well great, Keith, I am glad that you place such great faith in a computer that is neither complete nor able to discern all the variables. Of course, our Governor Elect has just opined that the most important projects are 460 and the mid town tunnel, and of course he received overwhelming support. Perhaps you will change your vote to "computer" instead of to Bob McDonnell. Or perhaps when they finally complete the program, and a new result comes out, you will then change your vote to another project. Good luck, for when you place you faith in programmers, eventually you will be disappointed. In the meantime, realize how low expectations have now become; now were're fighting over one project instead of six. I am sure that to you, that's progress.
Well as much money that has
Well as much money that has been wasted by the so-called experts and the bafoons in the MPO, I will put more stock in what the computer came up with. Problem is Mike is that you can buddy-up with the computer system because it doesn't care if you want the truth or not.
As opposed to putting our
As opposed to putting our faith in you? Because the local trash authority has done such a bang-up job? Because contrary to local opinion (see the last referendum) and the current dismal numbers on the bus routes you still continue to push for higher taxes to fund light rail?
Otoh, I don't really believe we need a computer to tell us these common sense things anyways. Someone earlier pointed out that a $500 car and a couple of hours driving around would have generated the same input.
"dismal numbers on the bus routes"?
HRT ridership is up, up double digits percentage-wise on weekends alone.
So what would you have done?
Well yes, now that new roads or even expanded roads simply will not happen, if we want economic development and the jobs that go with it, we will need alternate transportation options in the major corridors. Of course, that option is light rail. In fact, the end of road building in Virginia is probably the best thing that could happen for those who support light rail. Of course, in regard to SPSA, having just sold WTE for $150,000,000 which will reduce debt, lower the tip fee, save $50,000,000 that would have been needed to expand the landfill, and prevented the cities/counties from having to sign 20 year contracts, yes, I am feeling pretty good as the decision of experts, consultants, and the members was unanimous. If you think differently, please post herein what you wojuld have done.
Why are there so many
Why are there so many studies being done to tell us we have and problem and we something needs to be done about it everybody already knows that why dont we spend money on solutions and not problem finders. We have been doing studies for years and nothing major has been done nothing not a thing this problem isnt even new its been going on for years still nobody has even begin on a possible solution no construction just a little bit of speculation im going to say it again we know what the problem is fix it.
I've said all along ...
1 road, 1 major expansion, create I-64 8-lanes from I-664 all the way to Richmond, including expanding Highrise, including expanding HRBT!
Now where's my $150,000?
Tolling
Perhaps if tolling was used, the interstate projects would get done without the need for a project ranking by a high-priced computer consultant.
I'm a roadfan, so I've been keeping tabs on the horrible road funding situation in Virginia. As far as taxes, tolling, and PPPs go, I can predict what will happen: more legislative gridlock over all three, no matter what McDonnell wants, and no matter what the Democrats want.
Meanwhile, NoVa gets the lion's share of the interstate funding, while the I-81 corridor and Hampton Roads suffer. Perhaps the entire Virginia lege should be replaced by Russell Potts.