Infrastructure

Businesses rely on Virginia’s robust infrastructure assets not only to move people, goods, and services efficiently and effectively into and throughout the Commonwealth, but also to access the internet and electric service. Prudent investments in local water and sewer utilities both foster economic growth, but also have environmental benefits. Virginia depends on a comprehensive transportation network that meets our current needs, is well-maintained, and plans for the future. Businesses cannot grow if they cannot move products, access broadband, or affordably and reliably power production.

The Commonwealth has made strides in recent years to evaluate and prioritize infrastructure needs. However, we have to continue investing in long-term transportation solutions, expand access to broadband, and provide businesses with the energy solutions they need. The recommendations listed here seek to address these critical needs.

  • Promote consistency in local regulations as it relates to development of critical infrastructure that facilitates the flow of people, goods, and services
  • Support participation by impacted communities in decision-making forums, especially those which have been disadvantaged
  • Advance the principle of timeliness and certainty in permitting and regulatory decision-making while maintaining strong, uniform standards

  • Embrace a variety of approaches for expanding broadband access to unserved parts of Virginia
  • Increase financial support for public-private partnerships to facilitate broadband deployment in unserved areas
  • Support efforts to prepare workers for the advancement of broadband investments and initiatives
  • Explore new technologies and strategies to increase access to broadband in unserved areas
  • Support a more uniform and streamlined process for the approval of cell facilities including next-generation advancements in technology and other enhancements
  • Support Virginia’s subsea cable assets across the Atlantic from Europe landing in Virginia Beach, which grow jobs and foster a stronger data center ecosystem
  • Identify ways to leverage expanded broadband for remote working and entrepreneurial activities

  • Reduce congestion and improve reliability of travel on major corridors, such as I-64, I-66, I-81, I-95, and associated routes through investment in long-term, multi-modal strategies
  • Address potential funding challenges for Virginia’s highway system with ongoing pressures on state and federal budgets through new funding models and diverse revenue streams
  • Build, repair, and improve transportation assets that promote the efficient movement of goods and people such as the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion and many other critical transportation updates needed
  • Encourage the completion of I-73/I-74/I-75 which would provide greater connection for the Commonwealth to other regions of the country for the flow of goods and people
  • Incentivize local and regional investment in key transportation corridors, including using the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and Richmond regional sales tax model to support transportation projects in other regions of the state to the extent there is local support for this approach
  • Continue support of programs that constructively identify and prioritize important transportation projects and review current approaches on a regional and cross-regional basis
  • Encourage the use of traffic management technology to offset congestion and reduce needs
  • Enable adequate and equitable access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure around the Commonwealth

  • Capitalize on recent federal funding for passenger, commuter, and freight rail priorities that will improve rail infrastructure across the Commonwealth
    • Expand and improve passenger and commuter rail service through Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak
    • Build a new Long Bridge connecting Washington, DC and Virginia for enhanced rail service
    • Lay the groundwork for future high-speed rail opportunities
  • Evaluate and implement recommendations to improve the governance, accountability, and operational challenges at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to include identifying a long-term dedicated funding source for this critical economic development asset
  • Encourage partnerships with the owners and operators of the Commonwealth’s rail lines to make strategic investments in higher-speed rail
  • Support the extension of passenger rail service throughout the Commonwealth

  • Become the best state for testing innovative, emerging transportation trends to support the next generation of transportation and logistics investments to better move goods across the Commonwealth and beyond
  • Support the transformation of Virginia’s linear supply chain into tomorrow’s “Next Generation Supply Networks” through public-private research and analytic efforts
  • Recognize that all modes of transportation are valuable for Virginia’s economic future and that any meaningful long-term solution will require a multi-modal approach
  • Develop and encourage transportation policies and investment strategies that address Virginia’s transportation challenges through a multi-modal lens
  • Promote the exchange and integration of data between highway, rail, and ports to expand Virginia’s intermodal capacity and reduce congestion on Virginia’s highway system
  • Explore opportunities to work with surrounding states and the federal government on projects of shared interest

  • Support the development and implementation of the Port of Virginia’s economic development strategy which seeks to leverage this important asset to grow Virginia’s economy
  • Fully fund and adopt Virginia’s International Trade Plan which seeks to double Virginia’s exports over the next two decades
  • Support the widening and deepening of the Norfolk Harbor Channels that will help Virginia maintain its competitive advantage as the East Coast’s deepest port
  • Fully utilize Virginia’s network of inland ports, the Richmond Marine Terminal and other trade assets, as well as explore the economic feasibility of creating additional inland ports throughout the Commonwealth 
  • Advocate for infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Virginia to, among other things, enhance Virginia’s ability to serve as a platform for domestic offshore wind development and attract associated supply chain investments
  • Strengthen Virginia’s infrastructure and inventory of strategic, project-ready sites
    • Prioritize a significant state investment in building out more Tier 4 and Tier 5 shovel-ready, greenfield sites to catch up with competitor states to attract opportunities from the growing domestic advanced manufacturing industry; and ongoing investments to maintain and expand the Commonwealth’s full portfolio of sites
    • Support public-private financing models as an approach to enhancing Virginia’s economic development sites and buildings
  • Provide for collaboration among the Port of Virginia, the wider maritime community and the Commonwealth’s network of colleges and universities to educate and train the workforce necessary to fill 21st Century jobs in the nation’s supply chain, from waterfront to final destination 

  • Encourage the development of Virginia’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle industry while focusing on safety, security, and appropriate regulatory oversight
  • Promote policies that will strengthen space operations at the MidAtlantic Regional Space Port
  • Encourage regulatory reform and incentives that will allow Virginia to develop a robust maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry for aircraft
  • Explore innovative, cost-effective ways to better connect and expand capacity for Virginia’s communities to major airport hubs
  • Support the creation of economic sites around Virginia’s airports, including actively securing the proper permits for development in advance

Explore A

Focus Area:

Workforce &
Education
Business
Climate
Infrastructure
Health Care &
Life Sciences
Innovation &
Technology
Advanced
Manufacturing
Energy
Housing
Corporate Sustainability & Environment
Military & Veterans Affairs
Safety, Preparedness & Resiliency