A. Prior to or in connection with the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, the responsible public entity may enter into an interim agreement with the private entity proposing the development and/or operation of the facility or facilities. Such interim agreement may (i) permit the private entity to commence activities for which it may be compensated relating to the proposed qualifying transportation facility, including project planning and development, advance right-of-way acquisition, design and engineering, environmental analysis and mitigation, survey, conducting transportation and revenue studies, and ascertaining the availability of financing for the proposed facility or facilities; (ii) establish the process and timing of the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement; and (iii) contain any other provisions related to any aspect of the development and/or operation of a qualifying transportation facility that the parties may deem appropriate.

Terms Used In Virginia Code 33.2-1809

  • Comprehensive agreement: means the comprehensive agreement between the private entity and the responsible public entity required by § 33. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Department: means the Department of Transportation. See Virginia Code 33.2-100
  • development: means to plan, design, develop, finance, lease, acquire, install, construct, or expand. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • in writing: include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Chapter 42. See Virginia Code 1-257
  • Interim agreement: means an agreement, including a memorandum of understanding or binding preliminary agreement, between the private entity and the responsible public entity that provides for completion of studies and any other activities to advance the development and/or operation of a qualifying transportation facility. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • operation: means to finance, maintain, improve, equip, modify, repair, or operate. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Private entity: means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, joint venture, business trust, public benefit corporation, nonprofit entity, or other business entity. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Process: includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions. See Virginia Code 1-237
  • Public entity: means the Commonwealth and any agency or authority thereof; any county, city, or town; and any other political subdivision of any of the foregoing, but does not include any public service company. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Qualifying transportation facility: means one or more transportation facilities developed and/or operated by a private entity pursuant to this chapter. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Responsible public entity: means a public entity, including local governments and regional authorities, that has the power to develop and/or operate the qualifying transportation facility. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800
  • Transportation facility: means any road, bridge, tunnel, overpass, ferry, airport, mass transit facility, vehicle parking facility, port facility, or similar commercial facility used for the transportation of persons or goods, together with any buildings, structures, parking areas, appurtenances, and other property needed to operate such facility; however, "transportation facility" does not include a commercial or retail use or enterprise not essential to the transportation of persons or goods. See Virginia Code 33.2-1800

B. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, a responsible public entity may enter in to an interim agreement with multiple private entities if the responsible public entity determines in writing that it is in the public interest to do so.

C. The Department of Transportation, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall not enter into an interim agreement for the development of a transportation facility under this chapter that either (i) establishes a process and timing of the negotiations of the comprehensive agreement or (ii) allows for competitive negotiations as set forth in § 2.2-4302.2.

2005, cc. 504, 562, § 56-566.1; 2014, c. 805; 2017, cc. 539, 551; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.