Past News and Events

Capital Region Collaborative the Focus of Public Square

On Wednesday, October 20, the Capital Region Collaborative was the focus of the Public Square forum entitled "Reinventing Richmond for the next generation" hosted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Collaborative Strawman Survey Available Online

The Capital Region Collaborative wants to your opinion! We are interested in your feedback on the Strawman Draft of Regional Priorities.

• What priorities do you support?
• Does anything on our list cause you concern?
• What should be added?

Please take the time to complete the online survey.

Partnership with Richmond Region Energy Alliance

The RRPDC Board took action to add regional energy coordination to the RRPDC Work Program and accept an invitation to have a representative sit on the board of the Richmond Region Energy Alliance (RREA). (Read more...)

Open Road Tolling on RMA Downtown Expressway

The RAMPO Board took action to advance the proposed addition of open road tolling on the westbound lanes of the Downtown Expressway (DTE). Project construction should begin in April 2011 and the new open road tolling should open in April 2012. (Read more...)

Regional Transportation Priority Projects Adopted

The RAMPO Board adopted the 2010 Regional Transportation Priority Projects. The list of regional priority projects is submitted to the Commonwealth Transportation Board as a tool to assist in reviewing and allocating state and federal transportation funds in the Six Year Improvement Program. The list also supports efforts by local governments and regional partners to obtain federal and state funds for these priority projects. (Read more...)

The RAMPO Board voted to amend the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) so that $3.12 million in surplus stimulus funds remaining from the Region’s ARRA projects would be directed to purchasing buses as part of GRTC’s replacement program. GRTC will purchase eight diesel busses or seven busses running on compressed natural gas. The funds were available after bids on three projects, to which RAMPO previously allocated ARRA funds, came in lower than expected.

The Route 5 Corridor Study Work group held its first public workshop on July 29, 2010 at Varina High School.  Nearly 200 interested citizens listened to a brief presentation and then answered questionnaires and a visual preference survey.  Members of the consultant team and the Study Work Group were available to answer individual questions and engage in discussions concerning multimodal solutions for the corridor.  Visit the Route 5 Corridor Study website.

Related news articles: Richmond Times-Dispatch | Henrico Citizen

VDOT is seeking public comment on the State Bicycle Policy Plan to influence the agency's provision of a multimodal transportation system that addresses the needs of non motorized users. Public comments will be accepted until Friday, September 17, 2010.

RRPDC Communications Coordinator Chuck Gates, and Kevin Page, the Chief of Rail for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), briefed the RAMPO Board on the current status of the three passenger rail projects in the Richmond Region. The Washington, DC to Richmond Rail Improvements Project, Tier 2 Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Richmond to Raleigh portion of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, and the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project.

On May 13, the Capital Region Collaborative introduced the RRPDC Board to a Strawman Draft of Regional Priorities that will be presented to the public for comment. The draft priorities were compiled by the Collaborative based on feedback from 10 diverse focus groups. The Collaborative is embarking on an inclusive public process which encourages participation by all interested residents of the Richmond Region.

On April 8, the RRPDC hosted "Transportation Innovation in the Richmond Region," a public showcase featuring interactive displays of transportation technologies currently in use or planned for the Region including a hybrid plug-in electric automobile, an electric motorcycle, Segways, and a new bus.

At the May meeting of the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Board elected Edward L. “Ned” Henson as chairman for Fiscal Year 2011. Mr. Henson is a member of the Ashland Town Council. Timothy W. Cotman, a member of the Charles City County Board of Supervisors, was elected as Vice Chairman.

The Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approved new 2008 base year socioeconomic data to be used for various regional planning purposes, including the regional travel demand model for developing future traffic forecasts in the Richmond Region. The data provides estimates of demographic data within small geographic areas called Transportation Analysis Zones.

During its April meeting, the RAMPO Board endorsed the City of Richmond's efforts to secure a $1 million Congressional appropriation for the replacement of the roof at Main Street Station.

North Carolina, Virginia and the Federal Railroad Administration announce the completion of a draft environmental statement that is a key step toward implementing high-speed rail service in the two states and the Southeast.
Two public hearings are scheduled for the Richmond Region.  On July 20th a hearing will be held in the Virginia DMV Cafeteria, 1st floor at 2300 West Broad Street, Richmond and on July 21st a hearing will be held at Union Station, 103 River Street, Petersburg.  There will be an open house from 5-7 p.m. followed by the formal public hearing at 7 p.m.  Visit the project web site at www.sehsr.org for more information.

At the April meeting of RAMPO, the Board adopted a resolution in support of the Virginia State Police campaign to create better public awareness of the Move Over law.

At the invitation of Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, RRPDC Director of Transportation and MPO Secretary Daniel N. Lysy made a presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB).  The presentation "Overview of the MPO" provides background information on the MPO, a review of the regional planning and programming process, information on the MPO 2031 Long-Range Transportation Plan and the MPO Regional Transportation Priority Projects.

The Board authorized RRPDC staff to lead a regional process to create a Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).  A regional CEDS is required for a community to be eligible for certain funding from the Economic Development Administration.

The Board voted to procure a regional license for eCivis®, a software and database system used to research and apply for government grants and private foundation funding.  The Regional Area Funding Team (RAFT), made up of grant personnel from all nine jurisdictions, recommended this system and anticipates that the number of grants awarded to the region will increase through its use.

Phase III of the Region’s Impervious Surface Inventory

The RRPDC has completed Phase III of the Richmond Regional Impervious Surface Inventory by using the latest aerial imagery to digitize building footprints erected between 2002 and 2007 (map). The inventory is part of the Coastal Grant project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.

Acting on a request from the City of Richmond, the Board adopted a statement in opposition to the proposal to "unfreeze" the Local Composite Index (LCI).  The LCI is a formula used to determine state funding for public education. 
(Times Dispatch Article)

On January 6, the RRPDC hosted its first Legislative Reception. Members of the RRPDC Board presented its 2010 Legislative Agenda to an audience of state and local elected officials, business leaders, and representatives of the Region's non-profit community. The event was covered by various print, and radio media.
Jimmy Barrett’s live interview with Bob Crum on WRVA 1140 AM
Richmond Times Dispatch article printed in the Thursday, January 7 edition
Richmond Times Dispatch editorial printed in the Sunday, January 10 edition

The RRPDC unanimously approved the 2010 Legislative Agenda at the December Board meeting. The Agenda contains 27 declarations of support or opposition on issues impacting the Richmond Region, which are divided into five topic areas – Governing Locally, Environment, Growth, Public Safety Funding, and Transportation.

RAMPO adopts Regional Transportation Priority Projects list

The MPO has adopted a Regional Transportation Priority Projects list, which will be submitted to the Commonwealth Transportation Board and Virginia Department of Transportation to assist them in allocating transportation resources. The list is a valuable asset for expressing regional support when seeking to obtain federal, state and other sources of funding.