Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin has officially announced a substantial allocation of $30.1 million from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund (TPOF) to the City of Suffolk. This funding is set to support crucial road improvements along Route 460, enhancing access to the newly developed Port 460 Logistics Center in Hampton Roads. This initiative is poised to significantly bolster the economic growth of Suffolk and the state of Virginia.
Strategic Enhancement of Infrastructure
The Route 460 Road Improvement Project is a strategic response to the growing needs of the Port of Virginia and the development of the Port 460 Logistics Center. This 540-acre industrial commerce park is ideally situated along Route 460 and the Route 58 Bypass, areas seeing increased activity due to the port’s expansion. The logistics center benefits from its location at the junction of two critical freight corridors, providing unmatched connectivity to significant Eastern Seaboard metropolitan areas through Interstates 85 and 95.
To facilitate this development, the City of Suffolk plans to widen and modernize a 2.3-mile stretch of Route 460 from the Route 58 bypass to Lake Prince Drive, including a redesign of the interchange. The total cost for this expansive project is estimated at $86.8 million, with the newly allocated TPOF funds specifically directed towards right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation to kickstart the project.
Government and Community Leaders Rally Behind the Project
Governor Youngkin expressed his commitment to enhancing Virginia’s infrastructure, stating, “Our investment in the Route 460 Road Improvement Project and Port 460 Logistics Center Development demonstrates our commitment to provide best-in-class infrastructure for Virginians, commerce, and prospective businesses. Through the power of partnership, we’re expanding the Port’s operations and we’re accelerating a good growth engine for the Commonwealth.”
Virginia Secretary of Transportation, W. Sheppard Miller III, also voiced strong support for the project, emphasizing its alignment with the goals of the TPOF to support economic growth. “This is a fantastic project that I’m proud to support,” Miller said. “Providing TPOF funding to improve the connecting transportation network to support economic development and growth is what these funds are intended to do.”
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Caren Merrick, reiterated the significance of ongoing funding for such critical infrastructure projects, noting the direct benefits to the state’s economic landscape. Additionally, Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, highlighted the dual benefits of the project in boosting port operations and regional safety and development.
Speaker Don Scott, Senator Emily Jordan, Delegate Nadarius Clark, and Mayor Michael D. Duman also expressed their strong endorsements. They pointed out that the improvements would not only enhance road safety and reduce congestion but would also attract businesses, stimulate growth, and create job opportunities, thereby benefiting the entire community.
A Vision for the Future
This funding initiative is part of a broader strategy under the Code of Virginia, which allows the Governor to direct TPOF funds to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for projects essential for economic development. The project was reviewed and recommended by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and was approved by Governor Youngkin in June 2024 for action by the CTB in its July meeting.
The Route 460 Road Improvement Project represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing traffic and economic development challenges before they escalate into significant issues. It sets a precedent for how infrastructural development can be strategically used to enhance economic growth and community well-being in Virginia.
