On The Move: Infrastructure In Virginia

Across the country, states, including Ohio, Texas and Utah, continue to think big about transportation infrastructure, and make investments too. Virginia has come out with a super-sized commitment: a plan to invest $28.5 billion on a six-year improvement plan. Projects aim to make it easier for everyone along the bustling 1-95 corridor to keep moving over bridges, on the roads, on the rails, and on bike and pedestrian paths. Read on for more on Virginia’s infrastructure plans—-and tips on how builders all across the country can get a head start on formal bid announcements for public works in their regions.

Commitments To Dig In….

Even ahead of Virginia’s latest commitment to infrastructure, the American Society for Civil Engineers had given the state a passing grade, observing in particular progress on rail service and ports, as well as water systems: 

• Virginia’s infrastructure forms the foundation for health, wealth, and safety for 8.6 million residents, more than 200,000 businesses, and over 100 million annual visitors. 
• The Commonwealth moves people and goods along the critical I-95 corridor. It boasts expanding rail service connecting 127 million pounds of freight and 1.5 million passengers annually between the Northeast Corridor and mid-American transportation nodes. 
• The Port of Virginia shuttles increasing volumes of goods on tracks, rather than trucks, with improved dockside infrastructure. 
• Water systems for collecting rainfall and reducing floods are improving faster than national benchmarks.

With the state’s Department of Transportation now committed to a $28.5 billion infrastructure plan, there will be plenty more progress throughout Virginia in the years ahead. Specifically, the Six-Year Improvement Program provides for work on over 4,300 road, bridge, rail, transit and bicycle and pedestrian paths. As Matthew Thibault reports at Construction Dive:

• The gargantuan investment stands out, even among states such as Ohio, Texas and Utah that…have unveiled infrastructure megaprojects. Though those states outlined hundreds of construction improvements — as many as 977 projects collectively worth $3.4 billion in Ohio, for example — the plans were limited to 2026, as opposed to Virginia’s six-year agenda.
• For the coming fiscal year, some of the largest projects planned for Virginia include the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel project; the $3.1 billion Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project; and the $926 million Interstate 81 Ironto Widening program in Roanoke County.
• Overall, VDOT’s funding breakdown leads to:
  • $930 million to support public transportation programs.
  • $500 million to improve 43 VDOT and locality-maintained bridges.
  • $239 million in state funds for 143 projects through the Revenue Sharing Program, which matches funds from localities to state dollars for qualifying construction projects.
  • $85 million for 57 nontraditional transportation projects.

Good To Do: Get A Head Start On Public Bids

If you own a construction company and plan to grow strategically by getting involved in publicly funded builds in your region, it’s a good idea to keep your eye on meeting agendas and minutes. Consider for example following the action of city council and school board meetings–that’s where local plans are discussed before they become formalized. Similarly, be on the alert for  permits being filed, and the publication of environmental review notices. To get ahead of formal bid and proposal invitations for public projects, Construction Wire also encourages builders to:

1.Track Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and Budgets

Public agencies like departments of transportation, municipalities, school districts, and water authorities publish long-term capital plans on their websites. Reviewing these reveals which projects are planned, their budgets, and estimated timelines. Contractors should build a database of agencies that regularly build within their target sectors and geography.

2.Register as a Vendor on Public Procurement Portals

Most governmental entities—federal, state, county, and city—require contractors to be registered vendors to receive notifications about new projects. Fill in every detail for your firm (including relevant NAICS codes) and set up alerts for your preferred work types. Complete this registration proactively so you never miss a pre-solicitation or a request for qualifications (RFQ).

3.Monitor Pre-Solicitation Notices, RFQs, and RFPs

Before a project is advertised for construction, agencies often publish notices for design services. Reviewing these notices often provides insight into project scope, funding, and likely schedule. Make note of selected architects and engineers for potential teaming or future outreach.

Improve Your Bidding Capacity

If public builds are on the horizon for your construction firm, it’s wise to strengthen your bidding capacity ahead of the scramble to submit your bid. As a national, direct, and Treasury-Listed surety bond writer that’s been in business since 1930, Colonial Surety Company proudly helps construction companies of all sizes improve bidding capacity, and demonstrate reliability. 

Our Hometown Bond Program provides local builders with credit based underwriting bonds for up to $250k—no financial statements required.  

Growing construction companies can receive Free Business Credit Scores instantly, just for submitting an easy, speedy Pre-Qual for a surety line of credit in writing. 

Once qualified, you can leverage all the benefits of The Partnership Account® for Contractors, including: a surety bond line of credit for up to 20 million single, and 40 million aggregate. Plus, you’ll:

• Issue your own Bid Bonds Instantly using our powers of attorney. Performance and payment bonds are speedier and easier than ever too. 
• Gain Real-Time Visibility: Use your private dashboard to view your underwriting profile and insightful financial data in real-time.

Put your business on a growth path with a few clicks, now: 

Bonding Programs at Colonial Surety Company

In business since 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial Surety Company is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed. Let’s connect today: Colonial Surety Company.