Virginia’s Department of Transportation disclosed a minimum $1.7 billion shortfall for highway maintenance, a gap that threatens both road safety and future construction projects across the Commonwealth. The shortfall was highlighted during a Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) work session on Tuesday, where officials outlined the scale of the problem and possible mitigation options.
Growing infrastructure needs
Over the past two decades the state’s bridge inventory has expanded by 400 structures, bringing the total to 21,200 bridges. Pavement mileage has risen by 2,000 miles to 59,700 miles, and lane‑mile totals have climbed by 5,000 to 130,400 lane miles. Maintaining this expanding network requires millions of dollars each year.
Funding rules and current challenges
Virginia’s Appropriation Act prioritizes the upkeep of transportation assets, and state law mandates that the CTB set aside sufficient maintenance money before allocating funds for new construction. However, the board learned that meeting all required projects will be difficult under the current budget plan.
Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue described the situation as “painful no matter what we do moving forward,” noting that there is no easy mitigation strategy. Deputy Secretary Laura Schewel suggested shifting money from the construction program to maintenance—a move that would create a sizable shortfall in construction dollars.
Proposed mitigation measures
Starting in fiscal year 2028, Schewel proposes raising annual maintenance spending to roughly $290 million for six years. While this would help close the maintenance gap, it would also significantly reduce construction funding, including the state’s Smart Scale program, unless additional mitigations are adopted.
The board will receive a set of mitigation options next month. Potential tools include phasing projects, adjusting timing, or balancing strategies across funding rounds. If adopted, these measures could lessen the impact on construction while still meeting maintenance targets.
Federal support and future uncertainties
Virginia currently receives about $115 million per year from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for bridge repair and maintenance. Officials are watching the reauthorization of the IIJA and the Federal Surface Transportation Act, both of which could affect future funding streams.
Severe weather events and a possible decline in federal assistance could further increase maintenance needs, compounding the shortfall.
Historical context
The current deficit stems in part from budget decisions made during former Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration. Under then‑Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller, the board allocated funds for pavement maintenance through 2031 under the Smart Scale program. In June 2025, the previous administration introduced a Six‑Year Improvement Program (SYIP) that assumed roughly $200 million less in crossover funding, redirecting those dollars to construction. The SYIP also reduced local maintenance funding by about $40 million.
In November 2025, the board approved a plan to use unallocated funds from the Priority Transportation Fund, GARVEE bonds, and $103.5 million in revenue collections to advance $715 million in priority projects. While that plan added flexibility, it did not resolve the underlying structural mismatch between maintenance costs and projected funding.
Board members weigh in
CTB member Marianne Moffat Radcliff, appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger, questioned whether prior decisions had analyzed the impact on pavement conditions if higher funding levels were not maintained. Secretary Donohue clarified that he was not serving as secretary when those decisions were made, but noted that this is the first year the agency could publicly analyze the long‑term impacts of past funding choices.
Board members who voted for reduced funding did not comment on their decisions.
What’s next?
With the shortfall looming, the CTB’s upcoming mitigation package will be critical. Stakeholders—including local governments, construction firms, and commuters—will be watching closely to see how the balance between maintenance and new construction is struck, and whether additional federal resources become available.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
