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Transportation plans take a hit; hearings scheduled
RICHMOND - The Commonwealth of Virginia will host six public hearings across the state in April and May to receive public input on a scaled down program for highway and transit improvements.
The nearest hearing in this area will be held on Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Rockingham County Administration Center, 20 East Gay Street, Harrisonburg.
Six-year transportation revenue projections are down $1.1 billion from a year ago. These revenue shortfalls will result in a 44 percent reduction in funding for primary, secondary and urban highway construction, and a 10 percent reduction in transit allocations.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board has had to scale back the program.
"We continue our focus on safety and projects in the pipeline to make the most of the funds we have available," said Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer. "Our primary and local roads will take the hardest hit because they are funded last and with state dollars," he added.
Interstate highway construction projects, paid for primarily with federal dollars, are not significantly affected by these reductions in state money.
Lists of specific projects and changes from the current plan will be available at each public hearing and on VDOT's website at www.virginiadot.org/projects/ syp-default.asp.
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