The Commonwealth Transportation Board, formerly the State Highway and Transportation Board, regulates and funds transportation in Virginia. It oversees the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Membership

The Board consists of seventeen members:

• The Secretary of Transportation,
• The Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner,
• The Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and
• Fourteen citizen members.

The citizen members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, and removable from office by the Governor at his pleasure. The Secretary of Transportation serves as chairman of the Board.

Authority

The Board has power to:

• Choose locations of routes,
• Award contracts for construction, maintenance, and improvement of roads,
• Make traffic regulations,
• Name highways,
• Enter into contracts with local entities created for transportation purposes,
• Contract with other states,
• Administer, distribute, and allocate funds in the Transportation Trust Fund, and
• Regulate outdoor theaters.

All of these powers must be exercised within the framework of state law.

References

• § 33.1-1. State Highway and Transportation Board continued as Commonwealth Transportation Board; number and terms of members; removal from office; vacancies.
• § 33.1-12. General powers and duties of Board, etc.; definitions.