Virginia Administrative Code
Title 24 - TRANSPORTATION AND MOTOR VEHICLES
Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 16, March 25, 2024

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 connection with an agreement with the federal government (e.g, Rules and Regulations Governing Relocation Assistance (Code of Virginia, Title 25, Chapter 4 and Title 33.1, Chapter 1) and Rules and Regulations Governing Outdoor Advertising and Directional and Other Signs and Notices) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapters 1 and 7).

Guidance documents of the board or VDOT explain or interpret the following subjects:

1. Business operations of VDOT (e.g., VDOT Budget) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1);

2. Procedures related to administration of special-purpose funds; (e.g., Revenue Sharing Program Guidelines) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1);

3. Procurement of civil engineering contracts (e.g., Design-Build Procurement Manual) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1); and

4. Technical evaluation procedures related to highway studies (e.g., Highway Traffic Noise Impact Analysis Guidance Manual) (Code of Virginia, Title 33.1, Chapter 1).

Regulations are available in the Policy Division in the department's principal office at 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Copies will be furnished upon written or oral request; if more than one copy is requested, a fee of $.15 per page is charged. Some of the regulations may also be found at the agency's district offices, located in or near Bristol, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Salem, Staunton, Petersburg, Suffolk, and Fairfax, and at its residency offices throughout the Commonwealth.

Locally applicable speed and other traffic regulations are indicated by highway signs and markers. Internet address: http://www.VirginiaDOT.org/.

Rev. 4/2013

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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