The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) have received approval for a six-year, $28.5 billion improvement plan to shore up and build new transportation infrastructure. VDOT plans to spend $9 billion of that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 alone, while DPRT will spend $1.1 billion concurrently.
The program is slated to upgrade more than 4,300 bridges, rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian path infrastructure over the next six years. For FY 2027, VDOT’s allocated $9 billion budget will be split across the following categories:
- Construction – $2.8 billion.
- Road maintenance and operations – $2.5 billion.
- Support to other agencies, tolls, administration and other programs – $1.6 billion.
- Funding for Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia regions for local and regional transportation projects – $1 billion.
- Debt service – $387.5 million.
DPRT has a smaller budget, comparatively, covering only $1.1 billion for public transportation and rail service infrastructure projects. The department will prioritize transit services over the next year, breaking its budget down across three priority categories:
- Transit – $930.8 million.
- Virginia Passenger Rail Authority – $181.1 million.
- Rail – $37.7 million.
Virginia has a selection of high-cost projects shaping up for the upcoming years. Among these, the state plans to advance the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel project; the $3.1 billion Transform 66 Outside the Beltway initiative; and the $926 million Interstate 81 Ironto Widening program.
The budget also includes a variety of new investments planned over the next six years. These include:
- $930 million for public transportation programs.
- $500 million to enhance 43 VDOT and locally maintained bridges.
- $239 million in state funds that localities will match 1:1 for 143 projects.
- $85 million for 57 non-traditional transportation projects.
- $78 million to enhance deficient VDOT and locally maintained pavements.
- $63 million for 21 projects that received Congressionally Directed Spending through the Federal Appropriations Bill.
- $19.7 million for rail planning and freight rail programs and projects.
- $11 million in new innovation and technology transportation improvements.
Photo by K from Pexels
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