Sunday, February 22, 2009

Va. Department of Transportation to cut 450 jobs

Va. Department of Transportation to cut 450 jobs

RICHMOND

State highway officials said Thursday that they plan to give pink slips to 450 hourly employees next month, in addition to already announced cuts of 1,000 full-time transportation positions.

The staff reductions are part of a larger plan by the Virginia Department of Transportation that also may include reduced services on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry and the roadside assistance program in Hampton Roads.

The cutbacks are a few of the changes being considered to offset the projected $2.6 billion shortfall in state transportation revenue over the next six years.

Other proposals state highway officials are considering include closing 25 of the state's 41 rest areas, changing mowing

standards for grassy highway medians and consolidating some regional transportation residencies and equipment shops.

The proposed job cuts and service changes were detailed at the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting Thursday.

State transportation officials will present those and other ideas at a series of public meetings scheduled in the coming months.

The service cuts, if adopted, would likely take effect in July.

"Motorist safety and emergency response continue to be VDOT's top priorities," state transportation department Commissioner David S. Ekern said in a written statement. "However, VDOT will be smaller and focused solely on core services and commitments."

Dwindling money for roads and the growing cost of construction have brought the state highway department to a crossroads. In response, the agency is transforming itself.

It will still build new roads, though future projects may increasingly be accomplished with the help of private companies or require tolls.

VDOT officials said their current work force of about 9,000 employees will be cut to about 7,500 by July 1, 2010.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com

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