Virginia Forest Highway Long Range Transportation Plan. A Data-Driven Tool for Prioritizing Investments Based on Need.

摘要

This 20-year transportation plan describes the Virginia Forest Highway (FH) Program and identifies the long-range goals for the program. This plan also describes the process for coordinated planning and decision-making among the partner agencies involved in the Virginia FH Program. This long-range plan is intended to help the Tri-Agency partners make better informed investment decisions for planning, safety management, preservation, and construction on FHs in Virginia. Because funds are limited, it is essential to assess needs, set priorities, and efficiently manage and leverage funds from a variety of sources to meet transportation needs. The other primary purpose of this document is to help transportation planners, transportation professionals, forest professionals, community representatives, and citizens who have an interest in improving FHs understand the FH Program, thereby helping them understand the types of projects eligible for program funding as well as how to participate in the planning and decision-making processes. Accessing our National Forest System (NFS) lands is part of our heritage, our culture, and our economy. The FH Program addresses the needs for safe and adequate transportation access to and within NFS lands for tourism, recreation, resource use, and other uses. Other transportation programs do not specifically address those needs. FHs aid rural and community economic development and promote tourism and travel. Meanwhile, Virginias population has steadily increased in recent decades, placing more people closer to NFS and other federal lands. In addition, urban and suburban development outside of federal lands is placing greater pressure on existing transportation infrastructure and resources.