VIRGINIA BRIEFING

I-81 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

VDOT Ends Talks With KBR

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced yesterday that it has terminated negotiations with KBR for improvements along Interstate 81. The decision was made after KBR, in a Dec. 18 letter, declined further participation as the lead entity in the Star Solutions consortium.

KBR, formerly known as Kellogg Brown and Root, cited changes in its corporate ownership and "a need to manage its business profile very carefully" for its request to withdraw from the project. KBR separated from Halliburton last year and became its own publicly traded company.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PANEL

I-66, HOT Lane Plans Approved

A regional transportation body voted yesterday to approve long-range funding plans for improving Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway and for Virginia's plan to establish high-occupancy toll lanes along I-95 and I-395.

There was some opposition to both projects at yesterday's meeting of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, with Arlington County residents opposed to plans to reconstruct stretches of westbound I-66 and a Prince William County representative voicing concerns about transforming carpool lanes on I-95. Under that plan, a system of toll lanes would be set up, with cars carrying three or more travelers riding free.

But a majority on the board voted to proceed with the funding plans, which were largely negotiated last year. The board also opened a public comment period on an additional batch of projects planned throughout the region.

The board, made up of state and local officials from Maryland, Virginia and the District, helps determine whether projects receive federal funding.

-- Michael Laris