{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/56-536.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/56-536.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/56-536.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/56-536.html"}],"law_id":370557,"edition_id":2,"section_id":370557,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-536","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1988, c. 649; 1991, c. 272.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Board” means the Commonwealth Transportation Board.\n\n“Certificate” means the certificate of authority awarded pursuant to this chapter which allows operation of a roadway.\n\n“Commission” means the State Corporation Commission.\n\n“Department” means the Virginia Department of Transportation.\n\n“Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public under the provisions of this chapter for purposes of vehicular travel in this Commonwealth.\n\n“Operation” means all functions and pursuits of the operator of any roadway under this chapter which are directly or indirectly related to acquisition, approval, construction, enlargement, maintenance, patrolling, toll collections, or connections of the roadway or highway with any other highway or with any street, road or alley. This term shall also include, without limitation, management and administrative functions attendant to actual physical operation of the roadway and management of the affairs of the operator.\n\n“Operator” means the person who submits to the Commission an application for authority to construct, operate or enlarge a roadway, and which, after issuance of a certificate of authority, is responsible for operation of any roadway under the provisions of this chapter.\n\n“Person” includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, joint venture, and any other business entity; however, “person” shall not include the state or any local government or agency thereof, or any municipal corporation or other corporate body.\n\n“Roadway” means that portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. A highway may include two or more roadways if divided by a physical barrier or barriers or unpaved areas. “Roadway,” as used in this chapter, shall include only privately owned or operated highways for use of which a toll or similar single-use charge is imposed.\n\n“Toll” means the fee charged by the operator for a single use of all or a portion of the roadway.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1382029,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1382030,"text":"“Board” means the Commonwealth Transportation Board.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1382031,"text":"“Certificate” means the certificate of authority awarded pursuant to this chapter which allows operation of a roadway.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1382032,"text":"“Commission” means the State Corporation Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"4":{"id":1382033,"text":"“Department” means the Virginia Department of Transportation.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"5":{"id":1382034,"text":"“Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public under the provisions of this chapter for purposes of vehicular travel in this Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"6":{"id":1382035,"text":"“Operation” means all functions and pursuits of the operator of any roadway under this chapter which are directly or indirectly related to acquisition, approval, construction, enlargement, maintenance, patrolling, toll collections, or connections of the roadway or highway with any other highway or with any street, road or alley. This term shall also include, without limitation, management and administrative functions attendant to actual physical operation of the roadway and management of the affairs of the operator.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"7":{"id":1382036,"text":"“Operator” means the person who submits to the Commission an application for authority to construct, operate or enlarge a roadway, and which, after issuance of a certificate of authority, is responsible for operation of any roadway under the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"8":{"id":1382037,"text":"“Person” includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, joint venture, and any other business entity; however, “person” shall not include the state or any local government or agency thereof, or any municipal corporation or other corporate body.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"9":{"id":1382038,"text":"“Roadway” means that portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. A highway may include two or more roadways if divided by a physical barrier or barriers or unpaved areas. “Roadway,” as used in this chapter, shall include only privately owned or operated highways for use of which a toll or similar single-use charge is imposed.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"10":{"id":1382039,"text":"“Toll” means the fee charged by the operator for a single use of all or a portion of the roadway.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":52778,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Highway Corporation Act of 1988","identifier":"20","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":39,"parent_id":52702,"metadata":{"child_laws":18,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:04:30","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:45","permalink":{"id":1477409,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52778,"identifier":"20","token":"56\/20","url":"\/56\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52702,"edition_id":2,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":121,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":710,"child_structures":93},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:25","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:34","permalink":{"id":1475475,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52702,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":370556,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-535","catch_line":"Title","url":"\/56-535\/","token":"56\/20\/56-535","metadata":false},{"id":370557,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-536","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-536\/","token":"56\/20\/56-536","metadata":false},{"id":370558,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-537","catch_line":"Construction of highways and use of public funds in the public interest","url":"\/56-537\/","token":"56\/20\/56-537","metadata":false},{"id":370559,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-538","catch_line":"Prerequisite for construction and operation","url":"\/56-538\/","token":"56\/20\/56-538","metadata":false},{"id":370560,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-539","catch_line":"Certificate of authority","url":"\/56-539\/","token":"56\/20\/56-539","metadata":false},{"id":370567,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-540","catch_line":"Application","url":"\/56-540\/","token":"56\/20\/56-540","metadata":false},{"id":370568,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-541","catch_line":"Eminent domain","url":"\/56-541\/","token":"56\/20\/56-541","metadata":false},{"id":370569,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-542","catch_line":"Powers of the Commission","url":"\/56-542\/","token":"56\/20\/56-542","metadata":false},{"id":370570,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-543","catch_line":"Powers and duties of roadway operator","url":"\/56-543\/","token":"56\/20\/56-543","metadata":false},{"id":370571,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-544","catch_line":"Board approval; inspection agreement with Department","url":"\/56-544\/","token":"56\/20\/56-544","metadata":false},{"id":370572,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-545","catch_line":"Insurance; sovereign immunity","url":"\/56-545\/","token":"56\/20\/56-545","metadata":false},{"id":370573,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-546","catch_line":"Local approvals","url":"\/56-546\/","token":"56\/20\/56-546","metadata":false},{"id":370574,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-547","catch_line":"Utility crossings","url":"\/56-547\/","token":"56\/20\/56-547","metadata":false},{"id":370575,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-548","catch_line":"Highway and roadway crossings","url":"\/56-548\/","token":"56\/20\/56-548","metadata":false},{"id":370576,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-549","catch_line":"Default","url":"\/56-549\/","token":"56\/20\/56-549","metadata":false},{"id":370578,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-550","catch_line":"Police powers; violations of law","url":"\/56-550\/","token":"56\/20\/56-550","metadata":false},{"id":370579,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-551","catch_line":"Termination of certificate; dedication of assets","url":"\/56-551\/","token":"56\/20\/56-551","metadata":false},{"id":370580,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-552","catch_line":"Improvement Fund","url":"\/56-552\/","token":"56\/20\/56-552","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":370556,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-535","catch_line":"Title","url":"\/56-535\/","token":"56\/20\/56-535","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":370558,"structure_id":52778,"section_number":"56-537","catch_line":"Construction of highways and use of public funds in the public interest","url":"\/56-537\/","token":"56\/20\/56-537","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-536\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 649 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 1991, chapter 272.<\/p>","references":[{"id":370559,"section_number":"56-538","catch_line":"Prerequisite for construction and operation","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-538\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1477415,"object_type":"law","relational_id":370557,"identifier":"56-536","token":"56\/20\/56-536","url":"\/56-536\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-536\/","token":"56\/20\/56-536","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-536","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:<\/p>

“Board<\/span>” means the Commonwealth Transportation Board<\/span>.<\/p>

“Certificate<\/span>” means the certificate<\/span> of authority awarded pursuant to this chapter which allows operation<\/span> of a roadway<\/span>.<\/p>

“Commission<\/span>” means the State Corporation<\/span> Commission<\/span>.<\/p>

“Department<\/span>” means the Virginia Department<\/span> of Transportation.<\/p>

“Highway<\/span>” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public under the provisions of this chapter for purposes of vehicular travel in this Commonwealth.<\/p>

“Operation<\/span>” means all functions and pursuits of the operator<\/span> of any roadway<\/span> under this chapter which are directly or indirectly related to acquisition, approval, construction, enlargement, maintenance, patrolling, toll<\/span> collections, or connections of the roadway<\/span> or highway<\/span> with any other highway<\/span> or with any street, road or alley. This term shall also include, without limitation, management and administrative functions attendant to actual physical operation<\/span> of the roadway<\/span> and management of the affairs of the operator<\/span>.<\/p>

“Operator<\/span>” means the person<\/span> who submits to the Commission<\/span> an application for authority to construct, operate or enlarge a roadway<\/span>, and which, after issuance of a certificate<\/span> of authority, is responsible for operation<\/span> of any roadway<\/span> under the provisions of this chapter.<\/p>

“Person<\/span>” includes any natural person<\/span>, corporation, partnership, joint venture, and any other business entity; however, “person<\/span>” shall not include the state or any local government or agency thereof, or any municipal corporation<\/span> or other corporate body.<\/p>

“Roadway<\/span>” means that portion of a highway<\/span> improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. A highway<\/span> may include two or more roadways<\/span> if divided by a physical barrier or barriers or unpaved areas. “Roadway<\/span>,” as used in this chapter, shall include only privately owned or operated highways<\/span> for use of which a toll<\/span> or similar single-use charge is imposed.<\/p>

“Toll<\/span>” means the fee charged by the operator<\/span> for a single use of all or a portion of the roadway<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 56-536)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Board” means the Commonwealth Transportation Board.\n\n“Certificate” means the certificate of authority awarded pursuant to\nthis chapter which allows operation of a roadway.\n\n“Commission” means the State Corporation Commission.\n\n“Department” means the Virginia Department of Transportation.\n\n“Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every\nway or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public under the\nprovisions of this chapter for purposes of vehicular travel in this\nCommonwealth.\n\n“Operation” means all functions and pursuits of the operator of any\nroadway under this chapter which are directly or indirectly related to\nacquisition, approval, construction, enlargement, maintenance, patrolling, toll\ncollections, or connections of the roadway or highway with any other highway or\nwith any street, road or alley. This term shall also include, without\nlimitation, management and administrative functions attendant to actual physical\noperation of the roadway and management of the affairs of the operator.\n\n“Operator” means the person who submits to the Commission an\napplication for authority to construct, operate or enlarge a roadway, and which,\nafter issuance of a certificate of authority, is responsible for operation of\nany roadway under the provisions of this chapter.\n\n“Person” includes any natural person, corporation, partnership,\njoint venture, and any other business entity; however, “person”\nshall not include the state or any local government or agency thereof, or any\nmunicipal corporation or other corporate body.\n\n“Roadway” means that portion of a highway improved, designed or\nordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. A highway may\ninclude two or more roadways if divided by a physical barrier or barriers or\nunpaved areas. “Roadway,” as used in this chapter, shall include\nonly privately owned or operated highways for use of which a toll or similar\nsingle-use charge is imposed.\n\n“Toll” means the fee charged by the operator for a single use of all\nor a portion of the roadway.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 649; 1991, c. 272.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}