This group, which includes the Virginia Conservation Network and its 100 member groups, as well as nationally-recognized Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) and others, believes that the current discussion of long-range transportation planning is too narrow.

By taking a fresh look at transportation in the Commonwealth, both public and private, Reconnecting Virginia provided an opportunity to better understand the impact of various policies and programs on conservation goals and quality of life objectives.

The resulting vision offers a solution that can accommodate the mix of commuter, agricultural, and local uses by expanding the range of transportation choices available and investing in more efficient use of our existing rail infrastructure.

As part of the process, a vision for transportation in the Commonwealth was developed identifying potential benefits of an intermodal system with all of the modes connected to provide more efficient choices for moving people and goods both within Virginia and between Virginia and other states and international markets.

The vision was first presented at the 2004 annual meetings of the Virginia Conservation Network and the Piedmont Environmental Council.

The project is assessing transportation policies, program direction and funding in terms of an intermodal vision that shows promise for improving the efficiency of both land use and transportation.

The research program includes examination of best practices in states and metropolitan communities in such areas as:
  • Transit Oriented Development
  • Access Management
  • Intermodal Facilities
  • New Transportation Technologies
  • Public Private Partnerships

Reconnecting Virginia is a positive, achievable approach to solving the state’s traffic problems. This vision offers a solution that can accommodate the mix of agricultural, commuter and local uses by expanding the range of transportation choices available and investing in more efficient use of our existing rail infrastructure.