RICHMOND, Va. -- About 450 hourly workers at the Virginia Department of Transportation will be laid off as part of the agency's self-proclaimed "Blueprint for the Future."
So much for the future looking bright.
Along with the layoffs, which are expected in the spring, 25 rest stops and welcome centers will close as the agency tries to reduce costs due to slumping transportation revenues. In northern Virginia, five rest stops will be closed: both regular Dale City rest stops and both Dale City truck stops, along with the Interstate 66 eastbound facility (the westbound facility will remain open).
Maintenance centers will also close, ferry services wil be reduced and fewer grass cuttings will occur along highways.
The department's measures are an attempt to scale back spending with a projected $2.6 billion shortfall in transportation revenues projected over the next six years. Last week, the department cut the state's six-year highway plan by $2 billion.
"Budget shortfalls have significantly reduced the commonwealth’s transportation budget, causing VDOT to focus state dollars on maintenance, operations and emergency response efforts," said David S. Ekern, VDOT commissioner. "Ensuring that VDOT has a long-term strategy to address the changes in our financial future requires that additional tough decisions be made surrounding our construction program, services and staffing."
The cost-cutting announced Thursday will ultimately see VDOT's current employment fall from approximately 9,000 to a goal of 7,500 workers by July 2010.
