I-81 Corridor Multi-State Transportation Planning Initiative (Statute)
SB 778 (Potts, R-Winchester)
Senator Russell Potts was the chief patron for SB 778, which would establish an Interstate 81 Corridor Multi-state Transportation Planning Compact. Before the bill was presented in the Senate, VDOT asked for amendments to insert "initiative" in place of "compact," and language that would give Virginia full autonomy over whatever plan it settles on, within Virginia. Senator Potts and RAIL Solution agreed to these changes. The Senate Rules Committee and the full Senate passed the amended version unanimously and sent it to the House where substitute language was added in the House Rules Committee — wording from Delegate Cline's resolution that encouraged a rail-based multimodal approach across the 13-state corridor that comprises I-81 and its tributaries. Norfolk Southern's lobbyist, Bruce Wingo, spoke in favor of SB 778 while it was before the House Rules Committee. The bill then passed the House. On February 22, the Senate unanimously accepted the House's amendments.

I-81 Corridor Multi-state Transportation Planning Initiative (Resolution)
HJ 709 (Cline, R-Lexington)
Delegate Ben Cline introduced legislation in the House, using similar wording as Senator Potts had used, for the Interstate 81 Corridor Multi-state Transportation Planning Initiative. Delegate Cline introduced his legislation in the form of a resolution, to be sent to the US congress. Delegate Cline's resolution contained a pro-rail "preamble," which was subsequently inserted into Senator Potts' bill as well. The House Rules Committee made a blanket decision to not send resolutions to congress and held HJ 709 in committee. Delegate Cline amended his own legislation to remove language that directed the resolution to be sent to congress. He then asked for the bill to be reconsidered by the House Rules Committee and it passed unanimously, as it also did on the floor of the House. HJ 709 arrived at the Senate Rules Committee where the Department of Rail and Transportation (DRPT) requested an additional amendment that would add the Department of Rail & Public Transportation--in addition to VDOT - as a facilitating partner for the multistate initiative. The final version of HJ 709 cleared both chambers on Friday, February 25, 2005.

Delegate Cline will take personal responsibility for communicating this resolution to the US Congress, since the House Clerk was not directed to do so in the bill's language.

For more information see: Compact Talking Points (brief) and White Paper (in depth).

PPTA; I-81 Improvements
SB1319 (Chief Patron: Senator Hanger)
Requires VDOT to forthwith suspend contract negotiations with STAR Solutions under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (PPTA) involving improvements to I-81. No such negotiations are to resume until VDOT is authorized to do so by an act of the General Assembly. These contract negotiations prejudice the Environmental Impact Study in favor of STAR's truck-only solution and against a rail option, unnecessarily damaging the region's economy, environment, and Virginia's fiscal integrity. More information: Stop VDOT-Star Talking Points. 2/3/05 - Tabled. Due to concerns expressed by RAIL Solution and many other groups and individuals, a caucus of all 20 I-81 corridor legislators will be brought together in the coming months to further discuss the issues over STAR Solutions and reach a consensus about what to do.

Rail Transportation Development Authority
SB750 (Chief Patron: Senator John Edwards)
Establishes the Rail Transportation Development Authority. The Authority would identify needed construction, reconstruction, improvements, or repairs to railroads and their facilities and equipment. The Authority must have bonding authority to finance needed rail infrastructure improvements. The bill requires the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, in conjunction with the Authority, to develop a rail transportation plan for the Commonwealth. More information: Rail Authority Talking Points. Died for lack of a second in committee.