Three Teams Selected For Route 29 Solutions Proposal

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that three firms have advanced to the second phase of the process to select a design-build team for projects included in the Route 29 Solutions package.

The three firms were selected from among five that submitted statements of qualifications in response to the agency’s Request for Qualifications. They will be invited to submit proposals in response to VDOT’s Request for Proposals for the project, which is scheduled to be issued on Oct. 2.

The short-listed design-build teams are: 

• Lane/Corman Joint Venture

• Shirley/Contracting Company, LLC

• Skanska/Branch Joint Venture

Three projects are in the design-build RFP solicitation: the widening of Route 29 from Route 643 (Polo Grounds Road) to Route 1719 (Towncenter Drive), construction of Berkmar Drive extension from Route 1438 (Hilton Heights Road) to Hollymead Town Center, and the grade separation of the intersection of Route 631 (Rio Road) and Route 29.

Other Route 29 Solutions projects include improving the Route 29/250 interchange in Charlottesville, installing state-of-the-art adaptive signal technology at the intersections from Hydraulic Road north to Airport Road, and completing a study and preliminary engineering for improvements to the Route 29/Hydraulic Road intersection and a possible extension of Hillsdale Drive south of Hydraulic Road. Full funding for the locally-administered Hillsdale Drive Extended project will allow the city of Charlottesville to complete that project. These projects will increase capacity and efficiency along Route 29 and provide alternate routes on parallel roads.

Information about the Route 29 Solutions RFP can be found at: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/soq.asp. . Additional information about the projects included in the Route 29 Solutions package can be found on VDOT’s web site atwww.Route29Solutions.org.

A Milwaukee Suburb Turns to Complete Streets to Spur Business

North Avenue in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa is in the final stages of a redesign. The safety improvements include curb extensions, shorter pedestrian crossings, green-painted bike lanes, and bike boxes.Dave Schlabowske at Urban Milwaukee calls the 16-block stretch through a neighborhood business district the most bike-friendly street in Wisconsin, outside of Madison. He says even before the redesign is finished, businesses have been flocking to the street, knowing that it would become a better place for people:

Read the rest of the story here:
http://streetsblog.net/2014/09/29/a-milwaukee-suburb-turns-to-complete-streets-to-spur-business

Help Plan Transportation in Your Region

Driving Virginia’s Economy

Each fall the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) hosts public meetings around the state to provide an opportunity to share information with you and for you to share your comments on transportation investments that will guide funding decisions for critical needs in your region.

Find more information at the VDOT Website:  http://www.virginiadot.org/2014fallmeetings/default.asp#publicMeetingSchedule

VDOT Expands Use Of Flashing Yellow Arrow Into Southwest Virginia

SALEM — The Virginia Department of Transportation is beginning a $1.6-million project to change traffic signals at 91 intersections throughout southwest and southside Virginia.   The change affects only left turn movements at these intersections where the signal heads over the left turn lanes will be switched out.  Signs advising drivers to make “left turn on flashing yellow arrow” will be installed temporarily at signal locations for 30 days to communicate this change.  

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2014/vdot_expands_use_of76259.asp

VDOT, FHWA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sign Environmental Documents for Route 460

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have signed the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project in Southeastern Virginia.

The Draft SEIS evaluates potential social, economic and environmental impacts of five alternatives to improve transportation on the U.S. Route 460 corridor, stretching 55-miles from Suffolk to Petersburg.  

Read the rest of the story at VDOT's website.

Webinar: October 9th, 2pm- Winter Weather Demand/Alternative Intersection Analysis

UVA Transportation Training Academy's next webinar is now taking registrations.

More info and register here:  eepurl.com/4hKdv 

Different traffic laws could have saved his life and the lives of thousands of others. What the U.S. can learn from Sweden.

http://news.yahoo.com/cooper-s-story--a-preventable-traffic-tragedy-200552242.html