Bill > HJR671

This Joint Resolution directs the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), a state agency responsible for rail and public transit, to conduct a study and identify ways to reduce the expenses associated with building commuter and light rail projects. The DRPT is tasked with ensuring that any agencies or groups receiving its funding for these types of projects thoroughly review their cost estimates to maximize efficiency. Additionally, the DRPT will research successful cost-saving methods used in other states and countries for similar rail infrastructure and determine which of these improvements could be practically implemented in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All state agencies are required to assist the DRPT with this study upon request, and the department must complete its work and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by the start of the 2020 legislative session, with the findings also being made available online. This initiative stems from the recognition that while roads are important, passenger rail systems are crucial for improving transportation, boosting the economy, and providing essential mobility, as evidenced by the success of services like the Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak in Virginia.