Driver's 'Ed'iquette: The Zipper Merge

VDOT Wins National Roadway Safety Awards

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was recently honored with two National Roadway Safety Awards, recognizing the agency’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and Strategic Guardrail Management Program. Both efforts are focused on using research and technology to implement measurable improvements at identified safety challenges.

The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan is a statewide strategy that identifies high-risk areas for pedestrian safety, then develops funding solutions and installs safety improvements at those locations based on the severity and extent of the risk areas. The program’s interactive web-based tool is a national model for analysis to identify project needs for pedestrian safety improvements.

The Strategic Guardrail Management Program is improving roadway safety and maintenance efficiencies of the state’s guardrail system by prioritizing improvements at high-risk locations using data, technology and business-process enhancements. The VDOT Guardrail Tracker Tool enables information input and performance monitoring via a single, agency-wide, cloud-based GIS platform.

“Both of these VDOT programs are implementing data-driven solutions to make our roads safer for everyone,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “We are building efficiencies and expanding data through these tools, but more importantly, we are directly implementing enhanced safety improvements across the state. Our team’s solutions are keeping Virginia families, friends, co-workers and neighbors safer whether they are traveling by foot or by car.”

The National Roadway Safety Award projects were evaluated on three criteria: effectiveness, innovation and efficient use of resources. “Safety is always our top priority and these tools are addressing key safety challenges,” said VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner Rob Cary. “Our teams are developing innovative, datacentric solutions to address safety and build efficiencies, and I am proud to see them honored for the difference they are making on Virginia roadways.”

The National Roadway Safety Awards program is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation. The biennial awards program recognizes roadway safety initiatives that work toward the goal of zero highway deaths and reduce seriousinjury crashes. In total, seven projects across the country were recognized with awards.

NOVA Residency Gets a Facelift After 53 Years

CTB Advances 31 Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program Projects

RICHMOND, Va. – At its October meeting, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved the addition of 31 projects to the Fiscal Year 2020-25 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) to support prioritized projects and initiatives in the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program. On Tuesday, October 1, the Interstate 81 Advisory Committee endorsed advancement of the first tier of projects in the program identified by using data-driven factors, including project cost, benefits and readiness for construction. With the advisory committee’s endorsement, the CTB took action to add this initial group of projects. “With new revenues available as a result of legislation passed in April of this year, the CTB is committed to advancing and delivering these critical projects to those who depend on Interstate 81,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Today’s action moves forward the first of a suite of improvements expected to reduce the number of crashes along this corridor by 450 hours of delay by more than 6 million hours each year.”

The CTB also voted to approve $18.9 million to support the I-395/I-95 Commuter Choice Program, a group of 10 multimodal projects selected and approved by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). The funds will be directed to new and enhanced bus services, transit incentives and other commuter choice program initiatives. The program is administered in partnership with the NVTC, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the PRTC, and Transurban.

“The Commuter Choice program illustrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to creating safe, reliable travel choices across Virginia’s transportation system,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Multimodal investments along this corridor support the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness and creates a more seamless network for people to access jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity.”

The board also awarded one contract in the amount of $5.7 million to Corman Kokosing Construction Company of Annapolis Junction, Md., to replace a bridge carrying Route 207 south over the Mattaponi River in Caroline County. The roadway, which is part of the National Highway System, is a vital connector route for freight and commercial traffic between Interstate 95 and Route 301 near Fort A.P. Hill in the Fredericksburg District. Completion is expected in summer 2021.

The board recognizes and commends recent awards won by transportation agencies serving the Commonwealth. On Tuesday, October 8, VDOT was recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with the 2019 President’s Transportation Award for Performance Excellence for the agency’s Data and Technology Driven Strategic Guardrail Management Program. On Tuesday, October 15, Blacksburg Transit was the recipient of the American Public Transportation Association’s 2019 outstanding Transit System award for North America in New York.

Appointed by the governor, the 17-member CTB establishes the administrative policies for Virginia’s transportation system. The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes and provides funding for airports, seaports and public transportation.

For more information:

• Final bid results and projects: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/const/bidresults-list.asp
• CTB meeting, times and locations: http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/public_meetings/schedule_overview/default.asp

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Farmer is VDOT's Chief Financial Officer

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Chief Deputy Commissioner Robert H. Cary, P.E., L.S., announced today that Laura Farmer has been named the agency’s new chief financial officer, following an extensive search and competitive recruitment process.

“Laura has served the Commonwealth’s financial and budgetary needs for nearly twenty years,” said Chief Deputy Commissioner Cary. “Her strong leadership, unique expertise in the transportation industry and vast institutional knowledge will serve VDOT well as we navigate new financial opportunities in the future. She has been an integral part of VDOT’s fiscal leadership team in driving resources toward valuable and beneficial transportation solutions.”

Laura Farmer, VDOT’s new chief financial officer
Farmer will be responsible for a $6.4 billion annual budget and nearly 150 team members serving VDOT’s financial planning, capital investment, fiscal management and tolling programs. As the agency’s director of financial planning since 2011, she has proved instrumental in establishing Virginia’s Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles (GARVEE) program, as well as providing for the financial arrangements around the agency’s innovative finance programs and public-private partnership projects, including the Elizabeth River Tunnels projects and I-95 Express Lanes. Prior to joining VDOT, she served as a budget analyst for health and human resources agencies at the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.

“I look forward to ensuring VDOT’s continued sound financial management,” said Farmer. “I’m committed to building strategic direction to advance efficiencies statewide, which will effectively deliver our projects and services to Virginia residents and travelers.”

Farmer earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Chowan University and a master’s degree in public policy from the College of William and Mary. She has also completed the Virginia Executive Institute and Commonwealth Management Institute programs and is a graduate of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Leadership Academy.

Farmer assumed the new role on October 10, 2019 following John Lawson’s appointment as deputy secretary of transportation. She has been filling the role in an acting capacity since April.

CTB Invites Public Feedback On Transportation Programs Throughout Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) invites the public to share feedback on transportation initiatives at nine meetings across Virginia this fall. Representatives from the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will highlight transportation programs, discuss ideas and answer questions about the Commonwealth’s multimodal transportation network.

Participation is welcome by attending public meetings or submitting comments online, by email, or by mail.

The public will have an opportunity to learn and share feedback about:

• Adjustments to the statewide project prioritization process, known as SMART SCALE, which allocates limited funding to the most critical transportation needs.
• Virginia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which identifies transportation projects that will utilize federal transportation funding or require approval from federal partners.
• A draft Mid-term Transportation Needs assessment for VTrans, Virginia’s statewide, multimodal transportation plan that outlines a vision and goals for transportation in the Commonwealth. The plan will identify transportation investment priorities and guides transportation agencies’ strategies and programs.
• Adjustments to Virginia’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which aims to link infrastructure improvements across highway travel modes to performance outcomes outlined in Virginia’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

The public meetings will begin at 4 p.m. in each of the locations except as noted below: 

Tuesday, October 15, 2019* Richmond District Richmond Marriott Short Pump 4240 Dominion Boulevard Glen Allen, VA  23060 *This meeting will also provide opportunity for comment on the I-95 Corridor Study Plan	Tuesday, October 22, 2019** Northern Virginia District Northern Virginia District Office Potomac Conference Room 4975 Alliance Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 **meeting begins at 6 p.m.	Monday, October 28, 2019*** Staunton District Doubletree Hotel Harrisonburg 1400 E. Market Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 ***meeting begins at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Salem District Holiday Inn Valley View 3315 Ordway Drive Roanoke, VA 24017	Monday, November 4, 2019 Lynchburg District Lynchburg District Complex Ramey Memorial Auditorium 4303 Campbell Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24501	Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Hampton Roads District Hampton Roads District Office 7511 Burbage Drive Suffolk, VA 23435
Thursday, November 7, 2019 Bristol District Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center One Partnership Circle Abingdon, VA 24210	Tuesday, November 12, 2019** Fredericksburg District James Monroe High School 2300 Washington Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 **meeting begins at 6 p.m.	Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Culpeper District VDOT Culpeper District Office 1601 Orange Road Culpeper, VA 22701

Meeting materials will be available at http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/planning/springmeetings/default.asp beginning October 15, 2019.

Online sources

• SMART SCALE: http://vasmartscale.org/
• Virginia’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program: http://www.virginiadot.org/about/stip.asp
• Virginia’s Highway Safety Improvement Program: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/ted_app_pro.asp
• VTrans: http://www.VTrans.org

 The public can submit comments on transportation projects and initiatives to the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI), OIPI Deputy Director Ronique Day, 1221 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219 or PublicComments@OIPI.Virginia.gov. Comments will be accepted until November 30, 2019.

For additional information about the CTB, visit http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/.

VDOT Announces New Richmond District Engineer

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Chief Deputy Commissioner Robert Cary, P.E., L.S., announced today that Shane Mann, P.E., has been selected as the agency’s new Richmond District engineer. Mann brings over 25 years of transportation experience to the position 

“Shane’s years of successful program leadership, technical expertise and Richmond District knowledge make him well-suited to address the unique travel needs and challenges in the Commonwealth’s capital,” said Chief Deputy Commissioner Cary.

Mann will be responsible for the construction, maintenance and operations of nearly 19,000 lane miles of roads in the Richmond District’s 14 counties: Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico (except secondary system), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George. The Richmond District is VDOT’s largest roadway network in the Commonwealth.

“From overseeing successful completion of major construction projects to monitoring overnight snow removal operations, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving in the Richmond District, and am looking forward to stewardship of its future success,” said Mann.

As Richmond District construction engineer, Mann managed a construction program of over $350 million and oversaw successful completion of major district projects, including the I-95 Temple Avenue interchange improvements and roundabout project in the City of Colonial Heights, the I-64 widening project in Henrico and New Kent counties, and five phases of the Virginia Capital Trail in the City of Richmond, Henrico and Charles City counties.

A licensed professional engineer in several states, Mann holds an associate’s degree in drafting and design from Southside Virginia Community College, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia.

Mann will assume the new role on October 1, 2019 following Bart Thrasher’s selection as VDOT chief engineer.

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I-395 Express Lanes Open This Fall

Coming to you this November, the 395 Express Lanes will offer the same quick, simple and predictable travel you’ve come to know from the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. They’ll pick up where the 95 Express Lanes leave off around Edsall Road and run up to the 14th Street Bridge in D.C. A new choice for your everyday travels is coming soon.

Read more about the new express lanes here!

Public Feedback Invited On Interstate 95 Corridor Improvement Study

RICHMOND, Va. – The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, under the leadership of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), are studying Virginia’s 179 miles of the Interstate 95 corridor between the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Alexandria, Virginia and the North Carolina border. The public is invited to attend the second set in a series of in-person meetings through late fall 2019. An online engagement tool will be available for those interested to learn more details and provide input throughout the study’s duration.

As requested in similar resolutions from both chambers of the legislature (Senate Joint Resolution 276 and House Joint Resolution 581) during the 2019 General Assembly session, the CTB has initiated a data-driven study to develop the I-95 Corridor Plan which will identify key problem areas along the corridor, and identify potential targeted solutions and areas for additional review and study.

Feedback provided by members of communities, industries, and other stakeholders will be considered as team members continue study of the corridor and prepare a draft plan report in the fall. The CTB plans to report to the General Assembly in January 2020, prior to the opening of General Assembly session. 

This second series of meetings will be focused on reviewing potential targeted safety and congestion solutions along the I-95 corridor.

The meetings will begin with a brief presentation followed by an open house format, which will allow attendees to speak one-on-one with study team members, ask questions and provide written comments.

The study team has also developed an online engagement tool as an option for corridor users who may not be able to attend the meetings. The tool will ask users to provide input on various types of improvement solutions and priorities.

The team will hold one more series of meetings along the corridor with additional opportunities for public comments to be received in person and online. The second series of meetings will focus on targeted solutions and the final series will cover recommended packages of improvements.

Public meetings will be held at the below-listed dates and times at the noted locations.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Fredericksburg James Monroe High School  2300 Washington Ave. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 6–8 p.m.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019* Richmond Richmond Marriott – Short Pump 4240 Dominion Blvd. Glen Allen, VA 23060 4-7 p.m. *This meeting is combined with regularly-scheduled Fall Transportation Meetings.

Thursday, October 17, 2019** Northern Virginia Freedom High School 15201 Neabsco Mills Rd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 6–8 p.m. **This meeting will include information about the auxiliary lane project on southbound I-95 between Route 123 and Prince William Parkway.

The Northern Virginia meeting will also include information and opportunity for input on the auxiliary lane project on southbound I-95 between Route 123 and Prince William Parkway. The Richmond meeting will be combined with the region’s regularly-scheduled Fall Transportation Meeting.

Comments can be submitted at the meetings or via email to: VA95corridorplan@vdot.virginia.gov. The online engagement tool, as well as other meeting materials, will be available on the project website beginning October 7, 2019.

The first comment period will end October 25, 2019. Additional comment opportunities will be available throughout the study period.

For more information about the study, or to view meeting materials and access the online engagement tool, visit VA95Corridor.org. 

How to Maneuver a Modern Roundabout

International Walk to School Day

What is International Walk to School Day (iWalk)? International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day to raise awareness of the benefits of walking and biking and need for Safe Routes to School. It began in 1997 as a one-day event, and has become the signature fall event for the year-round Safe Routes to School movement. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam – participate in a variety of ways every October.

When is International Walk to School Day? Walk to School Day is held annually on the Wednesday of the first full week in October. The dates for the coming years are:

• Walk to School Day 2018 – October 10
• Walk to School Day 2019 – October 2

Remember that all of October is Walk to School Month, and schools are encouraged to host events whenever is most convenient for them.

Why should my school participate in Walk to School Day? Participating in iWalk and hosting an event is the perfect way to encourage walking to school, teach safe pedestrian skills, and kick off a Safe Routes to School program for the school year. Most importantly, it’s fun for everyone! Be sure to check out the iWalk resources below to help plan your school’s iWalk event.

What if students can’t walk to school? Even if students live too far or are unable to walk all the way to school, they can meet up with their classmates at a designated spot nearby and walk from there. Or the school can host a Walk at School event, where all students are invited to walk around the school grounds before class begins, during recess or enrichment classes.

iWalk in Virginia

The popularity of iWalk continues to increase each year thanks to dedicated school staff, community partners, parents and volunteers who help plan and host events at their schools.

In 2018, Virginia schools hosted a total of 364 events, breaking the previous record for the 9th year in a row!

Tuckahoe Elementary, Arlington

Waterman Elementary, Harrisonburg

Ginter Park Elementary, Richmond

VDOT Walk to School Day Resources

Learn it. Do it. Live it!

	Event Ideas	First Time Tips For Planning a SRTS Event	How to Plan a Walk or Bike to School Event in 7 Days
	PDF	PDF	PDF
	Conduct a Walk or Bike Audit	How to Organize Park and Walk Sites
	PDF	PDF

Event Flyers

	Call for Volunteers	Event Flyer	Blank Flyer
	PDF - color PDF - B&W	PDF - color PDF - B&W	PDF - color PDF - B&W

Communication Tools

	For Students & Parents	For the Press
	Announcement Script	Press release template and instructions	Media Advisory template
	Word	Word	Word

Incentives

	Stickers		Punch cards	You Did It! Certificates
	Walk with me to school tomorrow!	I walked to school today!
Color	PDF	PDF	PDF	PDF
Black & White		PDF
Coloring Book			PDF

National Center for SRTS Resources                 

Visit www.walkbiketoschool.org for more advice and customizable resources.