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<br />September 13. 2005
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the Western Freeway Rail Relocation will serve both the planned
<br />Craney Island Marine Terminal, which will entail an investment estimated to be in
<br />excess of $1.5 billion, and the new Maersk Marine Terminal that is currently under
<br />construction at an estimated cost of $500 million; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, according to state and regional economic development bodies,
<br />transportation planners, officials from the Virginia Port Authority, and leaders at the
<br />Norfolk Southern Corporation, the Heartland Corridor project is estimated to take five
<br />years to complete and cost $266 million, of which approximately $60 million will be
<br />needed to complete the Western Freeway Rail Relocation; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the federal transportation bill SAFETEA (Safe, Accountable,
<br />Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005) was passed by the U.S.
<br />Congress and signed by the President on August 10, 2005, appropriating $15 million for
<br />the Western Freeway Rail Relocation; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, in order to complete the Western Freeway Rail Relocation as a part
<br />of the Heartland Corridor project, approximately $45 million in additional funding will be
<br />needed; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, it is anticipated that Virginia will receive certain federal funds from
<br />the Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Fund which may be expended for this purpose; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the Heartland Corridor project will increase the competitive position
<br />of The Port of Virginia by cutting the present route to the Midwest by 250 miles, and
<br />exposing significant portions of the states along the route to more international trade;
<br />and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, without the Western Freeway Rail Relocation, there will be a
<br />significant impact on automobile traffic, safety, transportation infrastructure, and rail
<br />traffic on adjacent neighborhoods along the route and throughout the Hampton Roads
<br />Region; and,
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the Western Freeway Rail Relocation will be a necessary strategic
<br />element of the Commonwealth of Virginia's future maritime and economic growth;
<br />
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
<br />Portsmouth, Virginia, that Governor Mark R. Warner is respectfully requested to include
<br />funding for the remaining design and construction costs of the Western Freeway Rail
<br />Relocation Project, estimated to be $45 million, from the General Fund and/or from
<br />funds received by Virginia pursuant to the federal Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Fund,
<br />in his proposed 2006-2008 Biennial Budget; and,
<br />
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Virginia General Assembly is urged to
<br />approve such funding; and,
<br />
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be
<br />forwarded to Governor Mark R. Warner and the Virginia General Assembly."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Randall, Smith, Whitehurst, Holley
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />- New Business -
<br />
<br />05 - 419 - Boards and Commissions
<br />
<br />There were no appointments.
<br />
<br />05 - 420 - Items Submitted by Council Members
<br />
<br />'" Councilman Smith asked Dr. Patton to allow Staff to update the Council on the
<br />Commission of Architectural Review.
<br />
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