Virginia’s Gov.-elect Tim Kaine has set dates for a series of “town hall” meetings – beginning this week – to come up with a transportation plan for the General Assembly session that starts in January.

“Solving Virginia’s transportation crisis is the most urgent issue facing my administration, and I am getting started on it right away,” Kaine said in a written statement.

Kaine promised during his campaign that he would listen to input about transportation needs from citizens, transportation experts and elected officials across the state.

He also expressed his support for widening Interstate 66 inside the Beltway and for building rail transit to Dulles International Airport.

The first forum is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Nov. 16, in Roanoke, at the Virginia Transportation museum located at 303 Norfolk Ave.

Kaine is scheduled to lead transportation forums in Newport News on Monday, Nov. 21, and Henrico County Tuesday, Nov. 22. Similar meetings are planned in Manassas Tuesday, Nov. 29, and Bristol on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Kaine said the five town meetings would make up “the first round” of a series of public forums on transportation leading up to his Jan. 14, 2005, inauguration.

According to Kaine’s campaign Web site, he advocates “continuing to seek creative public-private partnerships” to allow the state to “kick-start important projects like widening I-66 west of the Beltway” and other roadwork.

Kaine reiterated his pledge not to pursue new sources of tax revenue, The Washington Post reported. He also expressed his readiness to use a veto if necessary to prevent transportation funds from being used for other purposes.