January 2020


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The Hampton Roads Messenger 13


tunnels in Hampton Roads, which provide a vital transportation link between Norfolk and Portsmouth, as well as the MLK Expressway.


Abertis is a global leader in toll road management based in Spain, with over 8,600 kilometers of roads in 16 countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Abertis is continually investing in technology and smart engineering to make sure customers have a safe, comfortable, fast experience. Committed to research and innovation, Abertis combines the advances in high capacity roads with new technologies to drive innovative solutions to the challenges of the mobility of the future.


“We welcome the opportunity to work with the consortium of Abertis and Manulife Investment Management within the transportation sector of our Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “Working together as partners with the Hampton Roads region is essential to delivering safe, reliable infrastructure and providing excellent service.”


“We look forward to partnering with Abertis to continue delivering an effective transportation solution in the Hampton Roads region,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich. “VDOT has completed the consent review, which ensures that the Elizabeth River Tunnels will be maintained by a capable, experienced concessionaire committed to safe and effective continuity of operations, maintenance, and customer service. We have also confirmed there is a planned, seamless transfer of operations to Abertis, with no adverse impacts to customers or the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility.”


“Abertis looks forward to working for the benefit of local communities and building on a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with the VDOT, which is one of the most established and significant grantors of road infrastructures in the USA,” said Abertis CEO José Aljaro.


Since taking office in January 2018, the Northam administration has focused on interrelated policy goals that include further reduction of future tolls, construction of express lanes without the risk of ERC related costs, and high levels of customer service. These policy objectives were reinforced with 2019 budget language passed by the General Assembly that required the study of potential opportunities to mitigate the financial burden on the commuting public at the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels.


“The sale of ERC to Abertis and Manulife Investment Management is yet another opportunity to build on the work being done in the Hampton Roads region,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine.


Prior to the sale, ERC agreed to amend the comprehensive agreement to incorporate three changes:


No toll increases will be implemented on the Elizabeth River Tunnels until at least January 2022 in recognition of the COVID-19 economic impacts on the region. Tolls will not be increased on January 1, 2021 as previously anticipated.


There will be a 10-year extension of the Toll Relief Program, which will last through 2037. The Toll Relief Program provides $500,000 annually to help offset the toll burden on Norfolk and Portsmouth residents most financially impacted by the project.


Additionally, the previously implemented billing and customer service practices, which include the monthly billing process and limit administrative fees to the monthly statement, were incorporated by the amendment. These practices offer the facility users the greatest opportunity to pay lower costs for toll transactions and avoid large administrative fees.


“I thank Governor Northam and Secretary Valentine for their hard work to minimize the negative impact that the tunnel tolls are having on our citizens” said Portsmouth Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr. “Because of their efforts, the new tunnel owners will have a greater understanding of the economic impact of the tolls on our citizens. We look forward to working with the new owners.”


The ERC sale agreement reached last month between the owners, MIP II and Skanska, and Abertis and Manulife Investment Management was subject to regulatory and other closing conditions, including a consent review by the VDOT as required by the comprehensive agreement.


Suffolk to swear in Mayor and Overdue library book? "Bring it


Back" in January fine free This January, Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) is giving customers the chance to return overdue library materials and have their fines canceled. There is no limit to what date the materials were originally due – just return the items between Jan. 1 and 31, 2021, and VBPL will cancel the associated fines.


"Our goal in offering the 'Bring it Back' campaign is to encourage customers who may have been avoiding the library due to overdue materials and associated fines to return the items with a clean slate and take advantage of resources that may be especially helpful to them during the challenges of the pandemic," said Director of Libraries Eva Poole. "We also hope to recoup outstanding materials and make them available for all our customers to access."


How it works:


Library items must be returned to VBPL between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2021 for fines to be canceled.


Customers should return overdue items in VBPL's outdoor book drops.


VBPL will cancel overdue fines associated with the returned items (it may take 24 hours).


Customers may resume using their library accounts or apply for a new account, if needed.


VBPL is unable to issue refunds for any fines that have already been paid, even if the item is returned in January 2021.


For more details on the "Bring It Back" campaign, visit www.VBgov.com/ bring-it-back.


Norfolk City Council approves new Economic Inclusion Plan


and Procurement Policy NORFOLK, VA – Norfolk City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance tonight which promotes the participation of minority and women-owned businesses in City spending. The new Economic Inclusion Plan and Procurement Policy will set aspirational goals for the inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses in City contracts.


The Procurement Policy sets goals around four focus areas: construction projects, enhanced subcontracting, sheltered bidding and micro-business contracting and support.


Details include:


Require developers to provide individual inclusion plans for all construction projects valued over $5 million


Mandate an analysis of all solicitations for enhanced subcontracting requirements of up to 50%


Require certain procurements between $25,000 and $5 million to be procured from small, women and minority-owned businesses


Require certain solicitations between $25,000 and $250,000 to be procured from local micro-businesses only


As part of the Plan, the City will commit to breaking larger contract opportunities into smaller bid packages to attract small businesses.


The Office of St. Paul’s Transformation will pilot the Economic Inclusion Plan and Procurement Policy next year with the redevelopment of Tidewater Gardens.


owned business and 13% women-owned businesses in total contract amounts associated for multiple redevelopment projects.


City Council members SUFFOLK, VA - The City of Suffolk will swear into office the Mayor and three City Council Members on January 4, 2021. The Investiture Ceremony will take place in the City Council Chamber, located at 442 West Washington Street, at 1 p.m. Seating in the City Council Chamber is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. The live stream can be viewed at suffolkva.granicus. com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=2.


The following are taking the Oath of Office: Mayor Michael D. Duman, Suffolk Mayor; Council Member Roger W. Fawcett, Sleepy Hole Borough; Council Member Lue R. Ward, Jr., Nansemond Borough; and Council Member LeOtis Williams, Whaleyville Borough. The Oath of Office will be administered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, W. Randolph Carter, Jr.


The Investiture Ceremony will be followed by a Reorganizational Meeting during which the election of Vice Mayor for the City of Suffolk will be held. The dictionary defines Investiture as ”the formal bestowal, confirmation, or presentation of rank, office, or a possessory or prescriptive right, usually involving the giving of insignia or an official title.” The City of Suffolk has held an Investiture Ceremony since the City was incorporated in 1974.


The Plan sets aspirational goals for 12% minority-


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