Summary: Highway construction by state or local employees;limit. Increases from $600,000 to $800,000 the value of highwaymaintenance and construction projects eligible to be performed bystate or local employees.

Summary: Virginia Highway Corporation Act; alterationof certificate of authority; powers and duties of the State CorporationCommission. Requires any application for a transfer, extension, or amendment of a certificate of authority issued under the VirginiaHighway Corporation Act to include information demonstrating thefinancial fitness of the entity applying to operate the roadway.The bill requires an applicant for a toll increase to provide a forward-lookinganalysis return that will be reviewed by the Department of Transportationthat demonstrates that the proposed rates will be reasonable to theuser in relation to the benefit obtained, not likely to materiallydiscourage use of the roadway, and provide the operator no more thana reasonable return. The bill also prohibits the State CorporationCommission from authorizing a toll increase if these criteria arenot met or if the proposed increase is for more than one year. The bill requires an operator to receive approval from the Commissionprior to refinancing any existing debt.

Summary: Motor vehicle weight limits; vehicles poweredprimarily by electric battery power or fueled primarily by naturalgas. Authorizes motor vehicles powered primarily by means ofelectric battery power to exceed relevant weight limits by 2,000pounds, provided that such weight does not exceed 82,000 pounds onan interstate highway. The bill also changes the weight exemptionfor motor vehicles fueled primarily by natural gas on an interstatehighway from the difference between the weight of the natural gastank and fueling system and a comparable diesel tank and fuelingsystem to up to an additional 2,000 pounds, provided that such weightdoes not exceed 82,000 pounds.

Summary: New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority; creation. Authorizes the creation of a regional passenger railstation authority in Planning District 4 to assist in the creationand maintenance of passenger rail in the region. The authority wouldbe authorized to enter into revenue sharing agreements and to issuerevenue bonds. The authority would be governed by a board consistingof members of each participating locality and institution of highereducation.

Summary: Local government authority; reduction of speedlimits. Authorizes local governing bodies to reduce the speedlimit to less than 25 miles per hour, but not less than 15 milesper hour, in a business district or residence district.

Summary: Creation of regional transportation authorities. Authorizes two or more adjacent counties or cities to form a regional transportation authority to engage in regional transportation projects.The bill sets forth the procedures for forming such authority anddetermining the membership of its governing board. Ordinances adoptedby each member of such authority would set forth the local taxes,fees, and revenues to be contributed by each locality to such authority.