The Virginia Department of Transportation received three conceptual proposals from firms vying to develop a new U.S. Route 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk.
VDOT announced Thursday receipt of proposals from Cintra Infraestructuras S.A.U., 460 Partners Inc. and Multimodal Solutions LLC. VDOT has up to 30 days to evaluate the proposals to ensure that each meets certain specifications and requirements.
Proposals meeting the requirements will move on to a review by an independent panel.
In May, VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley terminated the previous procurement process that started in 2006 due to changes in market conditions.
According to VDOT, the U.S. Route 460 project remains a high priority because of its importance as an emergency and hurricane evacuation route, for strategic military connectivity, the safety of the traveling public and the movement of freight in and out of the Hampton Roads ports.
The new 55-mile, four-lane divided highway would be developed south of the existing road from Interstate 295 in Prince George County and Route 58 in Suffolk.
SUFFOLK—Six months after deciding the state could not afford to pay for a replacement of Route 460, officials have issued a new request for proposals for the project.
Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board announced Monday that it had closed the partnered procurement process that it began with private companies in 2008.
On Wednesday, the CTB initiated a new procurement search with stipulations apparently designed to make the project more palatable for the companies that might be interested in building the road.
WINDSOR — Businesses are divided about a renewed push by Gov. Bob McDonnell to realign U.S. 460 — a project that would include rerouting U.S. 460 to go around Windsor rather than through the heart of town.
“It’s going to affect business,” said Chiquilla Gholston, assistant manager at Daily Queen. She said her restaurant is a magnet for locals, as well as tourists traveling from the Richmond and Norfolk areas.
“We’re extremely busy in the summer,” she said.
Any construction might hurt restaurants or gas stations, but not all businesses say it would be bad. Many of the businesses along U.S. 460 are dependent primarily on local customers.
