Agency 30. Department of Transportation [Details]

• Library: Virginia Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 9, December 18, 2023
• Year: 2023

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is charged with implementing and enforcing the policies and regulations of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (board). VDOT operates under the overall supervision of the Secretary of Transportation, who is designated as Chairman of the board. The Commissioner of Highways (commissioner) serves as Vice-Chairman of the board. Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1.

The board has general powers and duties, including, but not limited to, the following: to locate and name highways; let contracts for construction and maintenance; make decisions concerning the financing of transportation projects, including the administration of funds in the Transportation Trust Fund; oversee policy objectives of VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT); comply with federal acts; and enter into contracts with other states. Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapters 1 and 10.1.

The commissioner, either at his own discretion or acting as chief executive officer of VDOT, is authorized to perform all acts necessary for constructing, improving, and maintaining the roads comprising the state system of highways. The commissioner is also authorized to execute all orders and decisions of the board and may require that all employees and appointees perform their duties as required by statute. Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1.

The Code of Virginia authorizes the board, VDOT, or the commissioner to promulgate regulations, establish guidelines, or administer programs related to transportation. This authority may be granted under general powers, or may be granted in connection with a specific subject. Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1.

Regulations of the board or VDOT generally deal with the following subjects:

1. Application of civil engineering concepts to the design, planning, and delivery of construction or maintenance projects (e.g., Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1);

2. Criteria for classification and location of, and access to, roadways and routes comprising the systems of state highways (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1);

3. Use of highway right-of-way under the control of the board (e.g., Land Use Permit Regulations) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1); and

4. Activities associated with requirements of federal law, or in...