DRPT’s annual report for Fiscal Year 2020 highlights public transportation and freight rail initiatives to fulfill its mission of efficiently moving people and goods with primary areas of activity in rail, public transportation, and commuter services. DRPT’s most significant initiative for FY20 was Transforming Rail in Virginia, which included a $3.7 billion landmark deal to purchase 350 miles of railroad right-of-way and 225 miles of track. As reflected in this report, FY20 was a unique time for transportation in Virginia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of this report focuses on the yearly activities that occurred, a section was added to highlight the role and importance of transportation during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Virginia Code §33.2-106 directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit an annual report to the General Assembly “on actions taken by the Commonwealth, local governments, and regional transportation authorities to (i) increase transit use and (ii) reduce highway congestion and use of single occupant vehicles through programs and initiatives involving transportation demand management, transit use, telecommuting, carpooling, construction of commuter parking facilities, use of flexible work hours, and telecommunications technology.” Additionally, Item 1, Subsection O, of Chapter 1289 of the 2020 Virginia Acts of Assembly directs the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability (JCTA) to “regularly review, and provide oversight of the usage of funding generated pursuant to the provisions of House Bill 2313, 2013 Session of the General Assembly.” This section also requires preparation of a report on the uses of the Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital Funds (IPROC) to be submitted to the JCTA annually. This report combines these two reports in one DRPT annual report for FY20.
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