Local Assistance Division - Access Programs

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an independent federal agency created through the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

The purpose of the ARC Local Access Road Program is to assist in providing adequate access to qualifying establishments in the Appalachian Region to better link the region’s businesses, communities and residents to the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), as well as to other key parts of the region’s transportation network.

No new funds are authorized for the ADHS program.

Virginia is authorized to use up to $3 million annually for local access roads, from balances of funds that have been allocated to it for the Appalachian Development Highway Program, except funds specifically designated by Congress for corridor construction.

The Federal-Aid Highway Program is a reimbursable program. Thus, project recipients only receive reimbursement for the federal share of actual costs incurred.

The federal share for a project to construct a highway or access road on the ADHS with ADHS program funds that the state received in Fiscal Year 2012 or a previous year, or funds received during fiscal years 2012 through 2021 for a specific ADHS project, route, or corridor, shall be funded at 100 percent.

Additional Information 

ARC Local Access Road Program Guide

Local Development Districts: Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, New River Valley Planning District Commission, Roanoke Valley–Alleghany Regional Commission, West Piedmont Planning District Commission

LDD Contact Information

Virginia Counties in Appalachia: Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe

Virginia Independent Cities in Appalachia: Bristol, Buena Vista, Covington, Galax, Lexington, Martinsville, Norton, and Radford

Contact:

Brittany Voll
[email protected] 
Virginia Department of Transportation
Local Assistance Division
1401 E. Broad St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: 804-786-8918

The Economic Development Access Program provides adequate access to qualifying development sites.

Adequate access, in consideration of the type and volume of traffic anticipated to be generated by the subject site, may require the construction of a new roadway, improvement of an existing roadway, or both, to serve the designated site.

The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) under the authority of § 33.2-1509 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia.

• Economic Development Access Fund Policy (revision)
• Economic Development Access checklist       
• Economic Development Access Program guide
• Economic Development Access Project Coordination Form 

The Airport Access Program assists localities in providing adequate access to licensed, public-use airports. 

Adequate access, in consideration of the type and volume of traffic to be generated by the subject site, may require the construction of a new roadway, improvement of an existing roadway, or both, to serve the designated site. 

The program is administered by VDOT under the authority of § 33.2-1509 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia. 

Funding for these projects is provided through VDOT’s Industrial, Airport, and Rail Access Fund and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). 

• Airport Access Fund policy (Oct. 1, 2014)
• Airport Access Program guide (Oct 1, 2014)
• Airport Access Program checklist 
• Airport Access Project Coordination Form 

The Recreational Access Program assists localities in providing access to public recreational or historic areas owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia or a local government. 

The program is administered by VDOT under the authority of § 33.2-1510 (effective Oct. 1, 2014) of the Code of Virginia, with the concurrence of the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Funding for these projects is provided through VDOT's Recreational Access Fund and approved by the CTB.

• Recreational Access checklist 
• Recreational Access guide  (Oct. 1, 2014)
• Recreational Access Fund policy  (Oct. 1, 2014)
• Recreational Access Project Coordination Form 

If a state-funded construction project is estimated to cost more than $500,000 (in total), VDOT must comply with the State Environmental Review Process (SERP).

If VDOT determines that a SERP Preliminary Environmental Inventory (PEI) is required, that documentation will be provided to the locality.

In applying for funding under any of the above access programs, the locality is solely responsible for compliance required by any state and / or federal regulations, laws, etc