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1999 SESSION

990165745
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 508
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on February 7, 1999)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Ticer)
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study programs, policies, funding, and administration of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

WHEREAS, Virginia’s highway transportation system is an essential element in the infrastructure necessary for a strong economy; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state’s roads, bridges and tunnels; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has the third largest highway system in the nation, consisting of more than 65,000 miles of interstate, primary, secondary and urban highways, and more than 12,800 bridges; and

WHEREAS, VDOT has more than 10,000 employees, making it one of the three largest agencies in Virginia state government; and

WHEREAS, road construction and other transportation activities of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) account for 11.5 percent of the Commonwealth’s annual budget; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth Transportation Board provides funding of highways, airports, seaports, rail and public transportation; and

WHEREAS, significant transportation needs have been identified throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, much of the highway infrastructure in Virginia is aging and may require restoration or enhanced levels of maintenance; and

WHEREAS, VDOT obtains, on average, nearly 300 environmental permits annually and must, according to the Department of Environmental Quality, spend an estimated $ 7 million to correct past non-compliance; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission last completed a comprehensive review of VDOT in the early 1980’s; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study programs, policies, funding, and administration of the Virginia Department of Transportation. The study shall include, but not be limited to, a review of (i) the adequacy of maintenance of Virginia’s roads, highways, bridges and tunnels, including the maintenance of city streets; (ii) the soundness and effectiveness of VDOT’s policies and practices to minimize the impact of transportation activities on Virginia’s environment and natural resources, (iii) the effectiveness of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995; (iv) the administration of VDOT’s central, district and residency offices; (v) the use of new and emerging technologies by VDOT to improve its maintenance, construction, and administrative functions; and (vi) the adequacy and equity of funding for transportation maintenance and construction activities.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall submit its interim report to the Governor and the 2000 Session of the General Assembly and to subsequent Sessions as necessary, and shall submit its final findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly upon completion of its work as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.