Department of Rail and Public Transportation (505)

Authority: Title 33.1, Code of Virginia.

A.  Except as provided in Item 446 A., the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall operate the Shortline Railway Preservation and Development Program in accordance with § 33.1-221.1:1.2, Code of Virginia.  The board may allocate funds pursuant to § 33.1-23.1, Code of Virginia, to the Shortline Railway Preservation and Development Fund.

B. The Commonwealth Transportation Board shall operate the Rail Industrial Access Program in accordance with §33.1-221.1:1, Code of Virginia.  The board may allocate funds pursuant to §33.1-23.1, Code of Virginia, to the fund for construction of industrial access railroad tracks.

C. Because of the overwhelming need for the development of a balanced transportation system in the Commonwealth,  upon approval by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and notwithstanding the provisions of  § 33.1-221.1:1.1, Code of Virginia, the 30 percent match requirement for the Rail Enhancement Fund is hereby waived exclusively for funding allocated from such fund for improvements for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project between Richmond and Norfolk in the 2010-2012 biennium.

D. Of the amounts available in the Rail Enhancement Fund, up to $6,000,000 is hereby authorized to be utilized for the operation of the Amtrak Virginia three-year demonstration project initiated in fiscal year 2010.  Because of the overwhelming need for this passenger rail service for the public purpose of the development of a balanced transportation system in the Commonwealth, the requirements of § 33.1-221.1:1.1, Code of Virginia, are hereby waived for these funds.

E. Not later than December 31, 2010, the Director shall provide the Commonwealth Transportation Board an assessment of the anticipated ridership and funding required to support a pilot project of daily bus connector service from the Roanoke Valley to the Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg as part of the on-going three year passenger rail demonstration project.  Any support of this transit connector service shall be terminated if the Route 29 rail corridor project is not continued at the conclusion of the three year demonstration period.