The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has posted online two detailed proposals by the private sector to build I-95/395 high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes from the Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg regions. The detailed proposals were submitted under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA), which allows VDOT to partner with the private sector to build roads more efficiently.

The detailed proposals are from:
Clark Construction and Shirley Contracting Company (Clark/Shirley)
Fluor Virginia, Inc. and Transurban USA INC. (Fluor-Transurban)

Clark/Shirley submitted a conceptual proposal to build I-95/395 HOT lanes in September 2003 and Fluor submitted its conceptual proposal in March 2004. In January 2005, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) voted to advance both conceptual proposals to further stage of review under the PPTA process. That required proposers to submit detailed proposals, both of which were received on June 3, 2005.

Local governments affected by the proposed project will have 60 days to provide comments,

The public may also comment via email at HOTlanes@VDOT.Virginia.gov.

Beginning in mid-July, an advisory panel consisting of transportation experts and policy-makers will review the detailed proposals. The meetings are open to the public. Meeting locations and times are posted online.

Direct link to detailed proposals: www.virginiadot.org/projects/ppta-I-95_I-395HOTLanesP.asp

For information on proposals, upcoming meetings and public comments go to: www.virginiadot.org/projects/ppta-I-95_I-395HOTLanes.asp

PPTA is a procurement vehicle for VDOT to fund projects. Regardless of how a project is procured – either through a public-private partnership or conventional means – it must go through the required state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Environmental review involves public participation.