Language Relating to Rail Pilot Project (language only)

Item 448 #1c

Language
Page 312, strike lines 35 through 40 and insert:
"C. Because of the overwhelming need for the development of a balanced transportation system in the Commonwealth,  upon approval by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and notwithstanding the provisions of  § 33.1-221.1:1.1, Code of Virginia, the 30 percent match requirement for the Rail Enhancement Fund is hereby waived exclusively for funding allocated from such fund for improvements for the Richmond/Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project between Richmond and Norfolk in the 2010-2012 biennium.
D. Of the amounts available in the Rail Enhancement Fund, up to $6,000,000 is hereby authorized to be utilized for the operation of the Amtrak Virginia three-year demonstration project initiated in fiscal year 2010.  Because of the overwhelming need for this passenger rail service for the public purpose of the development of a balanced transportation system in the Commonwealth, the requirements of § 33.1-221.1:1.1, Code of Virginia, are hereby waived for these funds."

Explanation
(This amendment waives the private matching requirement in the current biennium for any rail enhancement fund allocations made to the Richmond to Norfolk rail line. It also authorizes exclusively for the on-going pilot project for passenger rail from Lynchburg/Richmond to Washington, D.C. that the rail enhancement funds be used for this operating contract. Under the existing DRPT six-year improvement program, mass transit grants -- not rail funds -- were being used for such purposes.)