Frequently Asked Questions

We will enable, not compete. Internet Service Providers (ISP) nationally have experienced stressed bandwidth due to the unforeseen increase of teleworking for businesses and government as well as virtual education due to the impact of COVID-19. The Regional Fiber Ring will lower the barriers to entry for new internet service providers, with the goal of increasing competition, decreasing prices, and increasing speeds. The regional fiber ring will reduce the cost of services to regional city governments, develop infrastructure for Smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT), help each jurisdiction achieve its vision, and support the Military as well as the financial services, cybersecurity, biomedicine, maritime and innovation sectors.

Southside Network Authority's actions will increase competition, decrease prices and increase internet speeds while minimizing taxpayer financial risk. During the February 11, 2022, SNA Board Meeting, the Authority voted to approve a Cost Sharing and Project Participation Agreement and allocated funds for the project. Each city provided $5M in funding and purchased 20% equity or twenty shares each. A construction contract has been awarded to Danella Construction for $24.5M. SNA selected GTS to be our public-private partner to operate, maintain, and market the RCR.

A construction contract was awarded to Danella Construction for $24.5M. We anticipate the construction process will be completed in late Summer 2024.

GTS will operate, maintain, and market the RCR.

A construction contract has been awarded to Danella Construction for $24.5M.

The regional fiber ring invests in the fiber infrastructure necessary to facilitate future wireless and 5G opportunities for all areas including unserved and underserved areas. By reducing the fiber infrastructure investment needed by Internet Service Providers (ISP) to provide wireless internet services, the Authority will lower the financial barriers that prevent providers from investing in our region.

There are a number of regions and cities that have built fiber network rings like the Authority regional fiber ring concept. There are many different operating strategies being employed including municipally owned and operated, P3 for funding and operation, as well as hybrid models that include public ownership and operation as well as "turn-key" operation where a company funds, builds, operates, and maintains the fiber ring.

The fiber ring will include the installation of three conduit paths with the first containing 288 strands of fiber. The second and third conduits will also be capable of holding an additional 864 strands of fiber for future expansion.

The original design of the fiber ring was developed to provide the most cost-efficient and effective connection routes between the 5 Southside cities while considering current and future areas of economic growth. Each city's Economic Development Department provided input to the fiber ring design. Additionally, the Chief Information Officers regularly briefed and received feedback from organizations such as Virginia Beach Vision, the Greater Norfolk Corporation, Reinvent Hampton Roads, and Higher Education institutions. The Southside Network Authority will continue to review how the fiber ring can be leveraged to support the business community and others. 

The Southside Network Board of Directors is made up of five voting members and five alternate members, with one voting member and one alternate appointed by the governing bodies of each of the member locations (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.) Members of the Board or their alternate members may be, but are not required to be, members of the governing body or professional staff of a member locality.

The Authority is still in the process of developing strategic objectives in conjunction with our P3 partner, GTS. This includes measures of success and service agreement levels. However, the most important measure of our success will be the delivery of better, faster, less expensive, and more accessible broadband.

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Hampton Roads area. As such, it is a federally mandated transportation policy board comprised of representatives from local, state, and federal governments, transit agencies, and other stakeholders and is responsible for transportation planning and programming for the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA).

The Bylaws of the HRTPO serve to guide the proper functioning of the metropolitan transportation planning and programming process by the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Hampton Roads. These bylaws provide general procedures and policies for the HRTPO Board for fulfilling the requirements of the Metropolitan Planning Agreement for the Hampton Roads area and other applicable provisions of federal and state law.

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a transportation policy-making organization comprised of representatives from local, state, and federal governments; transit agencies; and other stakeholders. In 1962, the United States Congress passed legislation that mandated urban transportation planning as a condition for receiving federal transportation funding in any Urbanized Area with a population greater than 50,000. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962 required the establishment of a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative (3-C) transportation planning process to be carried out by states and local communities. The 1962 Act, along with federal initiatives to come in the 1970s that established MPOs, formed the basis for metropolitan transportation planning used in the present day. Any highway or transit project or program to be constructed or conducted within the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) and to be paid for with federal funds, must receive approval by the MPO as being a product of the 3-C process before any federal funds can be expended. In addition, any highway or transit project deemed to be regionally significant, regardless of the source(s) of funding, must receive MPO approval to proceed.

MPOs have five core functions:

1. Establish and manage a fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision-making with regard to metropolitan transportation planning
2. Evaluate transportation alternatives appropriate to the region in terms of its unique needs, issues, and realistically available options
3. Develop and maintain a fiscally constrained, Long-Range (at least 20 years) Transportation Plan for the metropolitan planning area
4. Develop and maintain a fiscally-constrained Transportation Improvement Program
5. Involve the public in the four functions listed above.

The HRTPO annually establishes a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) which describes the transportation planning work and associated funding for the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area (MPA). The UPWP is developed by the HRTPO in coordination with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Each task in the UPWP includes information on who will perform the work, the schedule for completing the work, the resulting end products, and proposed funding and source of funds.

A Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a multimodal transportation plan that is developed, adopted, and updated by an MPO through the metropolitan transportation planning process. The LRTP must address a planning horizon of at least 20 years, which includes strategies and actions that lead to an integrated multi-modal transportation system and a fiscally constrained financial plan.

A Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a multi-year program for the implementation of surface transportation projects within a Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA), developed in cooperation with the State and any affected public transportation operators. A TIP contains all federally funded and/or regionally significant projects that require action by the Federal Highway Administration or the Federal Transit Administration. Before any federally funded and/or regionally significant surface transportation project can be built in the MPA, it must be included in a current TIP that has been approved by the MPO.

MPOs are primarily funded with Metropolitan Planning funds from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration (Section 5303 funds). These funds are matched at a ratio of 80% federal to 20% state/local. In Hampton Roads, the 20% match is divided evenly between state and local funds.

The metropolitan transportation planning process must be continuous, cooperative, and comprehensive, and provide for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will address the following factors:

1. Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
3. Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
4. Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight
5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planned growth and economic development patterns
6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
7. Promote efficient system management and operation
8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system

The Metropolitan Planning Agreement describes the mutual responsibilities of the HRTPO, transit agencies, and state agencies in carrying out the metropolitan transportation planning process.

Voting representation on the HRTPO Board includes elected officials from the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, and the Counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, and York; two members of the Virginia Senate and two members of the Virginia House of Delegates; plus representatives from the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (HRT), Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and the Virginia Port Authority.

Non-voting board members include chief administrative officers from the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, and the Counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, and York; representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Virginia Department of Aviation, Peninsula Airport Commission, Norfolk Airport Authority, the HRTPO Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee, the HRTPO Freight Transportation Advisory Committee, and liaisons from the region's military installations. The HRTPO Board continually assesses its membership to account for emerging trends or shifts in the area of regional transportation and may add other stakeholders as deemed appropriate.

View the HRTPO Board Members page on our website for more information.

The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) acts as an advisory body to the Policy Committee for transportation issues that are primarily technical in nature. The TTAC interacts with the MPO's professional staff on technical matters related to planning, programming, and transportation-related air quality planning. Through this work, the TTAC develops recommendations on projects and programs for HRTPO Board consideration. The TTAC meets the first Wednesday of every month at 9:30 am at the Regional Board Room in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) acts as a standing advisory committee of the HRTPO Board and meets from time to time as circumstances require to act upon matters referred to it by the HRTPO Board.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will serve as an advisory committee to the HRTPO Board and will provide public input to the HRTPO Board on transportation issues.

The Freight Transportation Advisory Committee (FTAC) will advise the HRTPO Board on regional freight transportation requirements.

At a minimum, a Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) must cover the urbanized area and contiguous geographic areas likely to become urbanized within the next 20 years. Currently, the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York; and a portion of Gloucester County, Franklin (city), and Southampton County are included in the MPA.

According to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Weldon Cooper Center data, the estimated population within the 15 HRTPO localities is 1,743,096 as of 2021.

Transportation has a direct and personal impact on the population of a region and is of critical importance to economic vitality and quality of life. Across the country, the costs of needed improvements to the transportation system far exceed the funding available to address those needs and difficult decisions must be made regarding the use of scarce transportation dollars. This is our community and the funds to be used are primarily our tax dollars, so it is important that we all be involved in the transportation planning process. Taking advantage of public involvement opportunities provided by the HRTPO is just one way to get involved in the process.

Yes, the public is invited to attend all meetings of the HRTPO Board and its advisory committees. Information on upcoming meetings is provided on the home page of the HRTPO website and at the administrative offices of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. In addition, a period for public comments is included during each HRTPO Board meeting and during the meetings of advisory committees.

Yes, submit your information to subscribe to our e-newsletter.

You will receive notices regarding upcoming meetings, public notices, and special events being held by the HRTPO.

Yes, HRTPO staff is available to speak at your event or meeting. The HRTPO can help communities, non-profits, and advocacy groups explore ways to improve our regional transportation system and how you can get involved in regional transportation planning. We can provide information about planning or project activities, listen to your concerns, answer questions, and inform you about upcoming activities and events. We can provide information about the transportation planning process, outreach activities, or specific HRTPO studies. Contact Matt Klepeisz, HRPTPO Communications Administrator to schedule a speaker call at 757-420-8300 to learn more.

Yes. In addition to regular meetings of the HRTPO Board and its advisory committees, the HRTPO utilizes a number of strategies to inform and engage the public. Public Notices are issued to solicit public review and comment during the development of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and whenever revisions to the LRTP and/or TIP are being considered by the HRTPO Board. In addition, the HRTPO publishes a newsletter that includes information on transportation developments occurring throughout the Metropolitan Planning Area.

One of the best tools for public involvement is the HRTPO website. Our website provides easy access to meeting notifications, agendas, and minutes; public notices; the current LRTP and TIP; all of the latest reports published by the HRTPO; occasional topic-specific surveys; links to other sources of transportation information; the newsletter; and a general invitation for comments and questions from the public.

Please visit our Get Involved! webpage to view our latest public participation activities utilized by the HRTPO and/or contact us at 757-420-8300. Para información en español, llame al 757-366-4375.

Staff offices of the HRTPO are in The Regional Building at 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA  23320.  Visit the contact us page for directions.

At a minimum, a Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) must cover the urbanized area and contiguous geographic areas likely to become urbanized within the next 20 years. Currently, the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York; and portions of the City of Franklin and the counties of Gloucester and Southampton are included in the MPA.

Map of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Area (PDF)

According to the Weldon Cooper Center data, the estimated population within the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Area is 1,674,022 as of July 1, 2013.

As part of our commitment to ensuring adherence to Title VI and other nondiscrimination authorities, the HRPDC/HRTPO follows a detailed Discrimination Complaint Procedure.

Within 10 Days

Title VI Coordinator shall:

1. Acknowledge receipt of the allegation in writing
2. Inform the complainant of action taken or proposed action to process the allegation
3. Advise the respondent of their rights under Title VI and related statutes, and
4. Advise the complainant of other avenues of redress available.

A letter will be sent to the appropriate state and federal transportation organizations. This letter will list the parties' names, the complaint's basis, and the assigned investigator.

If the Complaint Is Against the HRPDC / HRTPO

If the complaint is against the HRPDC/HRTPO, a state or federal transportation department investigator will prepare a final investigative report and send it to the complainant, the respondent (HRPDC/HRTPO person listed), the HRPDC/HRTPO Title VI Coordinator, and the appropriate federal agency.

Note: If a complaint is routed to and managed by a state or federal agency, the timeframe for processing the complaint may differ from the one described here.

Within 60 Days

The Title VI Coordinator:

1. Will conduct and complete an investigation of the allegation(s), and based on the information obtained,
2. Will render a recommendation for action in a report of findings to the Executive Director of the recipient of federal assistance.

Note: The complaint should be resolved by informal means whenever possible. Such informal attempts and their results will be summarized in the report of findings.

Within 90 Days

The Title VI Coordinator will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision reached, including the proposed disposition of the matter.

If the Complainant Is Dissatisfied with the Decision

The Title VI Coordinator will notify the complainant of their appeal rights with the state and federal transportation organizations, along with the correspondence on the final decision.

Who Else Is Notified of the Final Decision

The Title VI Coordinator will also provide the appropriate state transportation department with a copy of the determination and report findings.

What Happens if the Decision Is Turned over to a State or Federal Organization for Further Investigation

In this case, the Title VI Coordinator will monitor the investigation and notify the complainant of updates, in accordance with applicable regulations and policies and procedures of state transportation departments. At any time during the investigation, the complainant will be able to communicate with the Title VI coordinator.

In exploratory scenario planning, the point of the exercise is not to select one preferred future scenario, but rather to be prepared for what could happen in the future by analyzing several plausible future scenarios. The scenarios are used to test alternative transportation investments under different possible futures – not to pick a preferred future. Therefore, HRTPO will not select a preferred scenario.                 

In the timeframe of the planning horizon – the year 2045 – experts predict there will be significant changes in transportation technology and mobility choices. The rise of mobility as a service in the last decade and the advent of scooters and autonomous shuttles in just the last few years illustrate that technology changes are already coming. The exact details are not foreseeable at this time; therefore, the scenarios represent different areas of emphasis such as autonomous versus connected vehicle technology and purchase of rides vs vehicle ownership. This approach allows decisionmakers to foresee the issues and benefits of what may happen and make investment choices that maximize preparedness.   

To complete the appropriate studies, designs, funding analyses, and documentation necessary to determine feasibility, permit-ability, and transportation benefits necessary to advance corridor improvement alternatives.                 

The study was funded through the Hampton Road Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC).                 

The study focused on Hampton Roads connectivity through the lenses of economic vitality, resiliency, accessibility, and quality of life.                 

The HRTPO lead the study, with collaboration from two regional stakeholder groups – the Working Group and Steering (Policy) Committee. Technical experts from seven area cities, regulatory agencies, and other key stakeholders, such as the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, Virginia Port Authority, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers, Virginia Department of Transportation, and HRTAC comprised the Working Group. Elected officials from the same seven cities comprised the Steering (Policy) Committee.                 

The “Southside” including Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Franklin, Southampton County, and Isle of Wight County. The “Peninsula” including Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, as well as James City County and York County.                 

After evaluation, the segments will be divided into two tiers for further analysis:

Tier I:  Segments recommended for HRTPO to evaluate for the 2050  Lange Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

Tier II: Segments recommended for HRTPO to include in the Regional Transportation Vision Plan. 

No, segments were not eliminated from consideration. They were tiered for further review and future consideration by HRTPO.                 

No tolls other than existing toll facilities and future express lanes were considered for any of the alternatives.                 

Copies of the study documents are available on the resources page or you can contact us at 757-420-8300.                 

The HRTPO board voted on the tiered segments.  Tier 1 segments will be recommended for consideration in the fiscally constrained 2050 HRTPO Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Tier 2 segments will be recommended for inclusion in the 2050 Regional Transportation Vision Plan. Because the LRTP must include projects with available funding identified, not all recommendations are guaranteed inclusion in the final 2050 LRTP.                 

Construction of the segments is  subject to inclusion in the fiscally constrained Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the availability of funding.  Once adopted into the LRTP, a funding/construction timetable will be established by HRTAC, in conjunction with HRTPO and VDOT.                 

The meeting offers a virtual listening option via Webex, but only in-person attendees may speak. Registration is available here. Public participation is encouraged through surveys, webinars, and local government engagement. 

Recycling programs vary by locality. For accurate recycling information, visit askHRgreen. Virginia DEQ received funding through CPRG to explore programs to reduce methane emissions from landfills, and grassroots composting initiatives are being considered (Tidewater Compost).

Virginia allows localities to enact a plastic bag tax (5 cents per bag), though none in Hampton Roads have implemented it. A statewide ban on single-use polystyrene foam takes effect on July 1, 2025. 

Multiple programs support energy efficiency improvements for residents, businesses, and governments. Partnerships with organizations like Solar United Neighbors are being explored.

Efforts include making EVs more affordable and accessible. Regional research on hydrogen as a clean energy source is ongoing, including work at Virginia Tech and Jefferson Lab. 

The plan is funded through the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. Implementation will seek federal, state, and local funding sources. 

Compact urban development, improved pedestrian/bike infrastructure, and tree preservation efforts are being considered to enhance resilience and reduce emissions. 

The plan will guide policies and funding to implement adaptation measures. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential for long-term mitigation. 

Public participation is encouraged through surveys, webinars, and partnerships. A second webinar is scheduled for Summer 2025. 

The Port of Virginia is implementing sustainability measures, including hybrid and electric equipment adoption. More details are available at Port of Virginia Sustainability 

Tools such as EJ Screen and CJEST are being used to identify disadvantaged communities, and engagement with community-based organizations is a priority.

The plan is expected to be finalized in Fall 2025, with a second webinar planned for the summer. The survey is open until Feb. 24.

Yes, a second webinar and additional engagement opportunities are being planned.