PPTA ADVISORY PANEL MAKES RECOMMENDATION ON I-95/395 HOT/HOV LANE PROPOSALS IN VIRGINIA

Panel recommends that the Fluor-Transurban proposal move ahead

SPRINGFIELD, Nov. 1, 2005 – The advisory panel reviewing two private sector proposals to build high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the I-95/395 corridor from Northern Virginia to the Fredericksburg region recommended to Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley that he enter into negotiations with Fluor-Transurban for a comprehensive or interim agreement.

The panel’s recommendation and its supporting documents will go to Whirley for his review. Whirley will determine whether or not to accept, reject or modify the recommendation. He will decide whether or not to enter into negotiations for a comprehensive or interim agreement.

“The panel based its recommendation on a careful and objective review of two private-sector proposals that brought creative concepts to easing traffic to one of the most congested areas in the country,” said John A. Rollison III, special advisor to the transportation secretary and chairman of the advisory panel. “The panel took into serious consideration comments and concerns from citizens and local government before making a recommendation.”

The two detailed proposals were submitted under Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA), which allows the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to partner with the private sector to build roads more efficiently.

The detailed proposals were from:

Clark Construction and Shirley Contracting Company (Clark/Shirley)

Fluor Virginia, Inc. and Transurban USA INC. (Fluor-Transurban)

“The panel chose Fluor-Transurban because they offered a compelling package that has substantial strengths in the financial, managerial and operations areas,” said Rollison.

Fluor-Transurban proposes a $913 million project to improve 56 miles of I-95 from the 14th Street Bridge in Arlington County to Massaponax. The key feature includes adding a third lane to the existing two high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-95 in Northern Virginia. These lanes would be HOT and HOV lanes. The project would extend the HOT/HOV lanes to Massaponax. The project could provide a seamless connection to the Beltway, known as Phase 8 of the Springfield Interchange.

The project would be financed through tolls. According to the proposal, a variable toll rate would apply to vehicles carrying fewer than three people each on the HOT/HOV lanes. Carpoolers and transit operators would use the lanes for free.

PPTA is a procurement vehicle for VDOT to fund projects. Regardless of how a project is procured – either through a public-private partnership or conventional means – it must go through the required state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Environmental review involves public participation.

Advisory panel members are:

John A. Rollison III, Special Advisor to the Transportation Secretary

Katherine Hanley, Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) member, Northern Virginia

Julia Connally, CTB member, at-large urban

Robert Sevila, CTB member, at-large urban

Malcolm Kerley, VDOT Chief Engineer

Barbara Reese, VDOT Chief Financial Officer

Dennis Morrison, VDOT Northern Virginia District Administrator

Dave Ogle, VDOT Fredericksburg District Administrator

Charles Badger, Assistant Director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Ron Kirby, Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Alfred Harf, Executive Director, Potomac Rappahannock Transit Commission

Brian Smith, University of Virginia Department of Civil Engineering

Dan Tangherlini, Director, Washington D.C. Department of Transportation

Zeke Newcomb, former CTB member

On the Internet:

VDOT:

www.VirginiaDOT.org

Direct link to I-95/395 HOT/HOV PPTA proposals and project information:

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/ppta-I-95_I-395HOTLanes.asp