VTCA Lobby Day 2026 Delivers Strong Turnout, Stronger Voice for Transportation Construction
VTCA’s 2026 Lobby Day was a resounding success, marked by an impressive turnout from member companies across the Commonwealth and a highly effective day of advocacy at the General Assembly. With contractors, producers, engineers, and industry leaders filling meeting rooms and legislator offices, VTCA once again demonstrated the strength, professionalism, and unity of Virginia’s transportation construction industry. This year’s participation reflected a growing commitment from VTCA members to engage directly in the legislative process. Attendees represented every corner of Virginia and brought real-world perspectives from the field—sharing stories about their employees, projects, and the challenges of delivering safe, efficient transportation infrastructure. Legislators and staff repeatedly expressed appreciation for hearing directly from those who build and maintain Virginia’s roads, bridges, and rail systems. Armed with clear, consistent talking points, VTCA members were able to effectively communicate the industry’s priorities and build meaningful support around key policy issues. Conversations focused first on the economic impact of transportation construction, emphasizing that the industry supports more than 146,000 Virginia jobs and generates a significant return on investment for the Commonwealth. Members stressed the importance of protecting dedicated transportation and VDOT funding during budget negotiations.
Work zone safety was another central theme throughout the day. Members highlighted the dangerous conditions faced daily by construction workers and urged lawmakers to support proven safety measures, including automated speed enforcement in work zones and authorizing green lights on attenuator trucks. These discussions reinforced the shared goal of keeping both workers and motorists safe while projects move forward efficiently. VTCA also clearly conveyed its position on preserving Virginia’s right-to-work status and opposing mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public construction projects. Members explained how these policies directly impact competition, project costs, and the ability of small, minority-owned, and employee-owned contractors to participate fairly. These conversations helped lawmakers better understand how policy decisions translate into real project costs and fewer opportunities for Virginia-based contractors. In addition, members advocated for allowing VDOT to assume greater responsibility for managing the NEPA environmental review process, outlining how this change would reduce delays, control costs, and accelerate project delivery without compromising environmental protections. Support was also gathered for technical adjustments to Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) procurement caps, aimed at modernizing thresholds and improving efficiency in delivering historic rail investments. Finally, discussions around workforce development underscored the industry’s urgent need for skilled workers. VTCA members voiced strong support for fully funding the Virginia Community College System’s FastForward program, emphasizing its ability to quickly train Virginians for high-wage, in-demand construction careers and strengthen the long-term workforce pipeline. By the end of the day, VTCA had successfully elevated the voice of the transportation construction industry, reinforced relationships with legislators, and gathered meaningful support for policies that promote safety, competitiveness, and economic growth. Most importantly, Lobby Day 2026 demonstrated the power of engaged membership. When VTCA members show up, tell their stories, and speak with one voice, the impact is undeniable. VTCA extends its sincere thanks to every member who participated and helped make this year’s Lobby Day one of the strongest and most effective yet. |
