Title
Update on Hampton Roads Crossing Study
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) Board unanimously endorsed modified Alternative A (which expands the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel from four lanes to six lanes by 2024) as its preferred alternative from the Hampton Roads Crossing Study (HRCS). The Board also approved including the segments in Alternative D (all studied improvements) in the vision plan for the region and articulated that the other projects are needed, but funding is now available to only support Alternative A. The Board also agreed to continue to study the I-564/164/Craney Island connector that was included in Alternative B along with HRBT. The next step in the process is for the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to endorse the preferred alternative. The CTB has the final say on the preferred alternative and is expected to take action at their December meeting. Once it takes action, the decision will be sent to the Corps of Engineers which is expected to issue its Record of Decision by the summer of 2017, which will enable the project to move forward. Staff will brief the Council in greater detail at the meeting.