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2000 SESSION

004779828
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 174
Offered January 24, 2000
Requesting the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study the feasibility of providing rail service using independent, self-propelled rail cars.
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Patrons-- May, McClure and O'Brien; Senator: Mims
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, commuters in Northern Virginia face increasing delays due to congestion, with only Los Angeles area residents spending more time each day commuting to work; and

WHEREAS, by the year 2020 trips to and from work will increase by 2.5 million per day, with suburb-to-suburb work trips accounting for three of every four trips; and

WHEREAS, the existing and proposed highway network will not accommodate this growth; and

WHEREAS, expanding mass transit opportunities is an important component of establishing a balanced transportation system; and

WHEREAS, the current rail network is focused on suburban to center-city service, and new suburban cross-connectors are needed; and

WHEREAS, the recently completed Northern Virginia 2020 Transportation Plan calls for rail in the Manassas to Centerville to Dulles International Airport corridor and in the Vienna to Centerville corridor; and

WHEREAS, new developments in rail car propulsion have the potential to reduce the capital cost of providing rail service; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's Public-Private Transportation Act allows the Commonwealth to partner with the private sector to advance the implementation of new transportation investments through creative financing and construction arrangements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation be requested to study the feasibility of providing rail service using independent, self-propelled rail cars from Manassas to Centerville with branches to the Dulles International Airport and to the current Vienna Metro Station on I-66. This study shall explore the potential for a public-private partnership for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the rail improvements. The Department shall pay particular attention to the potential for private sector financing of construction and its potential to advance the implementation of such a program.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Department of Transportation shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.