RICHMOND—The Virginia Department of Transportation in coordination with the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships on Thursday issued a request for detailed proposals to develop and operate a new Route 460 between Petersburg and Suffolk.

“This project is a top priority of the commonwealth and will provide substantial benefits related to emergency evacuations and enhance the movement of freight to and from the ports,” said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley. “Additionally, the new Route 460 will provide greater connectivity between the Richmond/Petersburg and Hampton Roads regions, increasing economic development opportunities and job creation.”

Cintra Infraestructuras S.A.U., 460 Partners Inc. and Multimodal Solutions submitted conceptual proposals in response to the agency seeking private partners with “innovative” financing methods to move the project forward. Through recommendations of an independent review panel and Commonwealth Transportation Board resolution, each private sector team was advanced to the detailed proposal phase. Release of the request for detailed proposals initiates the next phase of the procurement, and each private sector team is invited to provide VDOT with detailed proposals by the first quarter of 2012.

The project involves design and construction of 55 miles of new tolled roadway south of the existing Route 460 and includes seven interchanges. The project will be financed through a combination of public subsidy, private investment and user fees.