The Virginian-Pilot
©
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!