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Governor McDonnell Opens Statewide Transportation Conference "Opportunities in Motion"

Governor Bob McDonnell announced that he will host the 2012 Governor's Transportation Conference, themed "Opportunities in Motion," on December 5 through December 7. The conference, which will highlight Virginia's complex and evolving multi-modal transportation system, will be held at the Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner. Governor McDonnell will address attendees at the opening session of the conference on Wednesday, December 5th, at 1:00 p.m.

Speaking about the conference, Governor McDonnell said "Transportation is one of the greatest challenges facing the Commonwealth of Virginia, but with these challenges come opportunities. Throughout my Administration, we have worked in a bipartisan fashion with the General Assembly and stakeholders to re-open Virginia's closed rest areas; we have taken steps - like the 2010 Comprehensive VDOT Performance Audit - to improve our agency operations and performance; we have invested in programs like the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority; and, we have worked to reform MWAA and get the Dulles Rail Project back on track. Most importantly, we have made the largest investment in transportation in decades through my 2011 Transportation Funding and Reform Package. As a result of our efforts, today there are over $14 billion worth of projects under construction or in procurement throughout all part of the Commonwealth. However, we still have work to do, and this year's conference will highlight many of the opportunities to keep Virginia moving."
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Governor McDonnell Announces 495 Express Lanes Opening This Week

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the 495 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia are opening early and on-budget on November 17. Today, Governor McDonnell participated in an opening event celebration in Tysons Corner with elected officials, media and key project personnel to commemorate the opening of the new traffic solution as well as the partnership and innovation that delivered the project.

"The opening of the 495 Express Lanes means opportunity for Virginia," said McDonnell. "The project not only helped create jobs during construction, but will continue to make Northern Virginia a more attractive place to work and live. The Express Lanes will open the region for business by providing better access to key employer centers and delivering the infrastructure needed to grow businesses and create additional jobs."

The 495 Express Lanes are two new high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in each direction on the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway from the Springfield Interchange to just north of the Dulles Toll Road (approximately 14 miles). Construction of the 495 Express Lanes supported more than 16,000 jobs and generated nearly $3.5 billion of economic impact state-wide.
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