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2001 SESSION

015343432
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 436
Offered January 19, 2001
Establishing the Interstate Route 81 Task Force.
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Patron-- Hanger
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, there is a strong and direct connection between a vibrant economy and a sound transportation infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, no element of the Commonwealth’s transportation is more important than highways; and

WHEREAS, although a very few highways might be considered as important to Virginia’s prosperity as Interstate Route 81, certainly none is more important; and

WHEREAS, the reconstruction and widening of major portions of Interstate Route 81 is among the most vital highway projects being planned for any part of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the citizens and businesses along the Interstate Route 81 corridor are eager to become involved with, support, and promote the improvements to Interstate Route 81; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That an Interstate Route 81 Task Force be established to provide an institutional and organizational link between the citizens and businesses of the Interstate Route 81 corridor and their legislative representatives in the General Assembly and the Virginia Department of Transportation in order to improve and regularize communication between the Department and those most directly and greatly concerned with the design, safety, funding and speedy completion of the Interstate Route 81 project. In carrying out its duties, the commission shall include, without limitation, (i) ideas for improving existing and future traffic conditions on Interstate Route 81, (ii) possible uses of innovative technologies to assist with safety and traffic control issues, (iii) integration of the future plans for the highway with the desired character and future for the areas impacted, (iv) conventional and creative ways of financing necessary improvements in a timely manner, (v) alternate routes that may be upgraded to reduce the burden on Interstate Route 81 and Interstate Route 95, (vi) feasibility of creating a parkway concept for portions or the entire length of Interstate Route 81, with "through traffic" or just truck traffic being subjected to tolls to finance improvements, and (vii) any means available to move freight in a more efficient manner. The Task Force shall be composed of 18 members as follows: six members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and eight citizen members, five to be appointed by the Speaker of the House and three to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. All legislator and citizen members shall be residents of the districts and localities potentially most affected by the Interstate Route 81 project.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $14,250.

The Task Force shall complete its work in time to submit any findings and recommendations it may feel necessary or appropriate to the Governor and the 2002 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.