NOVA Weighs In On Allocation of VDOT Transportation Funds
Demand is high for funding for transportation improvements across the region
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Northern Virginia has billions of dollars worth of transportation needs, and yesterday the Commonwealth Transportation Board got input from 16 local speakers on projects that should be included in the Virginia Department of Transportation's 2013-2018 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP).
The SYIP includes funding for rail, transit and transportation demand management programs. Last year, the CTB allocated $10.6 billion to statewide transit projects. This year, the funding can only go so far.
"The reality is that our transportation dollars are strained. They are strained with limitations of the maintenance needs we have throughout Virginia," said Charlie Kilpatrick, CTB chief deputy commissioner.
The public hearing was at the Virginia Department of Transportation's Fairfax headquarters, and is one of nine being conducted across the Commonwealth.
Fairfax County
"Significant state assistance will be needed to transform Tysons Corner from a suburban office development to a transit-oriented, mixed-use area that continues to provide significant revenues to the Commonwealth well into the future," said Fairfax County Board Chairman Sharon Bulova to the CTB.
"While the Board appreciates the General Assembly's actions to provide short-term funding for transportation projects during their last session, it is concerned that the CTB has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to transportation projects in rural areas of the state," Bulova said.
While Bulova "appreciated" funding in the 2012-2017 SYIP, additional money is needed for:
- At least $150 million for the Dulles Rail Project - Phase II
- Jones Branch Drive Connector Tysons Corner improvements - $1.2 billion, of which only $22.6 million is funded
- Tysons Metrorail Access Improvements. Route 7 Improvements Reconstruction of the 1-95/Fairfax County Parkway Interchange at Newington.
- Road widening along Rolling and Old Keene Mill Roads
- Funding for the ramp from the 1-395 HOV lanes to Seminary Road, as well as other improvements needed to accommodate the end of the 1-95 HOT lanes near Edsall Road.
- Route 236/Beauregard Street Intersection Improvements.
- Reinstating the $195 million previously agreed to for the bus service portion of the 1-95 HOT Lanes project.
- Funding for design of 1-66/Route 28 interchange improvements.
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay is a member of the NVTC, and said roughly $180 million is needed for improvements along Interstate 95.
"Our transit funding needs, performance and level of local effort is 12 times that of the rest of the Commonwealth," McKay said, adding that BRAC will continue to challenge the region. "Early news reports of little impact fail to realize we are only at the tip of the iceberg."
Prince William County
Marty Nohe, a member of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, expressed concern over significant reduction or total elimination of secondary and urban construction funding.
"While the Board has spent over $215 million in bond financing to complete roads that are critical to the transportation network for the citizens of Prince William County as well as the region, we will not be able to continue this investment in the region's infrastructure if the maintenance of these roads becomes the responsibility of local governments without any funding mandates to assist the maintenance," Nohe said.
Nohe outlined these projects as priorities:
- Construction funds for the Route 1/Route 123 Interchange Phase II
- Construct Route 234 North Bypass from I-66 to Loudoun County Line
- Widening of Route 1
- Extension of I-95 HOV lanes from Route 234 into Stafford County
- Route 28 bypass (Tri-county Parkway)/ Route 28 (Centreville Road) improvements
- Widening of Route 28 between Manassas and Linton Hall Road
Loudoun County
"Only a few months ago, Loudoun County held a joint public hearing with VDOT for the FY12-FY18 Secondary Road Six-Year Plan, which identified $0 in new funding for secondary roads," said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors member Kelly Burk. "The Governor and his administration must fulfill their promise to develop a long-term transportation funding strategy."
Burk requested:
- Construction funds to widen the Dulles Loop Road (Route 606)
- Construction funds for the Route 15 Village of Lucketts and the Route 9 Town of Hillsboro traffic calming projects
- Improvements to the Route 287 corridor
- Interchanges at the intersections of Route 7 and Battlefield Parkway, Route 50 and Route 606, and Route 7 and Route 690 in Purceville
Town of Leesburg
The reduction of State funds on local roadway improvements would save the Commonwealth, but not save in road maintenance costs, said Calvin Grow, a transportation engineer for the Town of Leesburg.
"It merely shifts the burdens to localities," Grow said. "The Town of Leesburg would see an annual loss of $716,892 in state funding for road maintenance. This amount translates into 1.29 cents on the real estate property tax rate for citizens of Leesburg."
On Oct. 11, the Leesburg Town Council approved a resolution requesting that VDOT fund these projects as part of the SYIP:
- Widen South King Street from Route 621 to the southern corporate limits to accommodate a four lane divided travel way
- Construct Battlefield Parkway from South King Street to Dulles Greenway
- Sycolin Road widening Phase IV
- Widen Evergreen Mill Road to four lanes from South King Street to Battlefield Parkway
The next public hearing is today at the Montgomery County Government Center,
755 Roanoke St., in Christiansburg.
Bruce Wright
9:46 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Other: Bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the Tysons area are needed.
John Farrell
9:48 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
we need more bridges across the Potomac.
The 1965 transportation plan had two new bridges between the Legion bridge on the Beltway and the Route 15 bridge at point of rocks.
45 years and there are still no bridges in the 40 mile gap between those two location.
Same story south of DC.
That '65 plan was based on a population projection for the year 2000 that turned out to be exactly right and under-projected the number of jobs by 50,000.
So we got the people and the jobs but not the roads and bridge.
Is it any wonder we have the second worst traffic in the country?
Tom Wyland
2:05 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Did the plan predict a housing boom in the far suburbs and most of the jobs outside the beltway in places like Tysons Corner? How about $4 gas and $8,000/year cost of ownership for an automobile? I think not.
John Farrell
2:24 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Actually, it did.
One bridge was to be built north of the current terminus of the Fairfax County Parkway and another 10 miles west.
Another bridge was to be built near Mason Neck and another near the Cherry Hill peninsula.
As for the price of gas, consider how many hours it takes the average worker to earn enough to buy a gallon today and in 1965, it's not too different. When I got my first job, gas was $0.33 a gallon and the minimum wage I received was $1.67 an hour.
Even in Manhattan with a population density 10x that of downtown DC and 26x as dense as Fairfax, their subway system requires huge subsidies.
In a diffused land use pattern such was imposed by the snob zoning advocates in No Va, roads and SOV are the most efficient means of transportation.
Bechtel and the other meganational construction companies who build mass transit systems try to convince folks otherwise. And the small local businesses that build roads don't have the propaganda machines to counter Bechtel's bullhorn, but it is true none the less.
Get rid of the internal combustion engine by all means but roads are the more democratic means of locomotion for the most people.
Bruce Wright
9:51 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Montgomery County has been pretty clear about their views on a new motor vehicle bridge from VA into their county; it's not going to happen.
John Farrell
10:02 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
the bridges on the north side of dc would actually provide more congestion relief to Montgomery voters as more of them commute over the Legion bridges to work here than there are Virginians going the other way. Polling is moving in the direction also.
What needs to end is spending more than 1% of transportation dollars accomodating "spandex bandits" or more than 30% on mass transit.
85% of trips are made by people in cars and buses traveling on roads, that ratio is never going to change, only an authoritarian government would try to make it change, and, in a democracy, that's were the money needs to be spent.
Jonathan Krall
1:03 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Other: Bicycle improvements move the maximum number of people for the minimum number of dollars. The success of Capital Bikeshare in DC and Arlington shows that, if we make bicycling easy and safe, people will do it. Bicycling encourages people to spend $$$ close to home--NoVa businesses should support it. It makes people healthier--NoVa healthcare orgs already support it. As people "age in place," better sidewalks are needed for exercise and mobility. This is why the AARP supports "complete streets." VDOT needs to support bicycling and walking as well.
Greg Crider
1:11 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
What? Fairfax County officials (Bulova & McKay) did NOT mention improvements needed to Rte 1. At least, Marty Nohe of Prince William put forth their needed improvements to Rte 1. Where are our local officials on getting state funding for widening Rte 1? The environmental assessmment being done with federal funding for Rte 1 through Fort Belvoir is just a start.
Vicki
10:10 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
We need to first maintain what we have before we build anything more. Revisiting the statewide formulas for funding needs to happen so that localities are not disadvantaged by formulas that promote widening and/or repavement of much better conditioned and less congested roads in the more rural areas of Virginia at the expense of more urban counties that need transit solutions, pot hole repairs, etc. These urban areas are the state's economic engines and we need to fuel them.
John Farrell
11:25 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
A shortage of necessary lanes miles puts extra wear and tear on the roads we have.
By all means, keep what we have in good shape but there is no substitute for more capacity.
Tom Wyland
1:58 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Other: Funding to make our roads safer for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.
Construction of more traffic lanes and more bridges is not what we need. Let's make it easier to take short trips by means other than automobile.
John Farrell
2:35 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
When was the last time you saw someone riding a bike to take home the dry cleaning or the weekly groceries. Or taking the kids to school in the rain?
Biking is a fine recreational activity (when they're not running stop signs in packs) but it will never account for more than a 1-2% of all trips and should be allocated tax revenues accordingly.
The Convict
6:20 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I couldn't disagree with you more, John. More people could do more with mass transit, if only they would try. The problem with getting to more "alternative" transit is that we have a "car" culture. That isn't going to change until the value of the "alternative" transit outweighs the value of the "car" transit. That's going to mean increasing the cost of car operations (i.e gas at $5/gal or more) and prohibitive wait periods in traffic for cars, as well as increased "alternative" transit capacity, i.e. more buses running more often, increased dedicated lanes for non-car traffic (bike and/or bus lanes), etc.
Unfortunately, so many people like the status quo because they don't want to walk any further than the front door of their house to their car and from their car to the door of their destination. Just look at how many people compete and wait for that spot closest to the store/mall instead of going 20 yards farther down the parking lot where there are plenty of parking spots. It never ceases to humor me how many people at the YMCA must have one of the close spots when they're going to go inside and get on the treadmill.
Expanded roads and auto infrastructure only encourages the car drivers. If we want as a society to move to alternative transportation, then we are going to have to put money into that while reducing the attractiveness of SOVs.
John Farrell
6:42 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
The Convict reliably appears to set out the authoritarian, misanthropic solution: make the "time tax" worse.
The time tax is the amount of time we have to spend away for our kids' soccer game, or dinner with the family, or the bowling league because there's not enough lane miles or because some authoritarian has jammed us onto a mass transit platform to wait and wait for that overcrowded cattle car to take us to a destination not quite where we want to go.
More lane miles enable you to have the freedom to pick your route and your time of travel. It lets you decide whether to stop at the pharmacy or the dry cleaners on the way home from work without having to wait 20 minutes for the next bus.
It's the autonomy of the car that makes it the first major purchase that teenagers pine for after they get their license. And before it was a horseless carriage, it was a horse, maybe with a carriage, with fringe on top.
Americans will sleep in their car before they give it up. They will will resist with their last food stamp surrendering the autonomy of the car for the regimentation of mass transit.
80% of all trips are in an SOV. That number isn't changing.
So why do you all hate the choices your fellow Americans have made and wish to impose your agenda on them.
Will Radle
5:45 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Only 1 candidate for Fairfax County Chairman has a plan to fund our needs while lowering taxes and works effectively with Democratic and Republican senators and delegates.
I stand today to give voice to our community's highest values and to invest in our highest priorities. Vote on Tuesday, November 8.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
The Convict
6:24 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Got news for you, Bill. Reducing taxes, i.e. reducing revenue, isn't going to address the shortfall in the budget. Try again?
Kari Wright Warren
6:53 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Mr. Radle,
Can you spell out exactly how you will help the residents in Mount Vernon in regard to our traffic concerns? Something has happened (and I absolutely do not believe it to be due to BRAC) in recent months that has our only way out of our homes into the rest of the area in pure gridlock. I travel three days per week to get from Route 235 to the corner of Telegraph Rd. and Beulah Rd...a trip that used to take me 10-15 minutes. I now spend more than an hour (with an eagle eye on the Belvoir gates...no jam there) to get where I need to go. I have two options...take the Fairfax County Parkway or travel north to N. King's Hwy. Either way, I am stuck. There are no alternatives. What do you propose do bring us relief?
Will Radle
11:00 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Please call me, "Will". Thank you for the question, Kari. Can you share what other than BRAC do you think has happened in recent months to worsen traffic around Route 1? We have known about BRAC since May 2005, over 6 years ago, and politicians did very little to prepare.
First, I have been actively working to share my plan writing frequently in the Mount Vernon Gazette all year. I am the only candidate for Fairfax County Chairman who has established the fulfillment of the Mount Vernon Vision as a measurable objective. Additionally, I was the only Chairman candidate who attended community forums at Gunston Hall, Sherwood Hall and the town hall discussing sustainable solutions after the flooding of Huntington in early September.
I have developed a plan, vetted by state and local budget directors, to help families throughout Virginia. Fairfax County politicians, if they advocated for our community at all, have been pursuing a win-lose strategy against southern Virginia. My plan maximizes our alliance for change and achieves fair treatment for Fairfax County taxpayers and students.
I need to close now for my family in consideration of the late hour, but I will follow up tomorrow morning. Let me share here my latest published commentary: http://connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=355170&paper=69&cat=110
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle
Will Radle
10:50 am on Saturday, October 29, 2011
For 5 decades, the people of Mt Vernon have sought to develop southern Fairfax County along the Route 1 corridor to optimize economic growth and job creation.
Yesterday, I shared my commitment to fulfilling Mt Vernon's Vision. Jerry Fill’s July 7 interview in the Mt Vernon Gazette with 3 candidates for Fairfax County Chairman titled, "How Board Chair Candidates View Route 1," showed I am the only candidate for chairman committed to investing in the development of Route 1 in the next four years.
Now, four months later, I remain the only candidate for chairman committed to fulfilling Mount Vernon’s vision as a measurable objective for my service. http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=353368&paper=69&cat=110
The blue incumbent chairman said she wants to wait to make the investment until the state provides more funding or voters pass a referendum to create new taxes. She does not provide rail to Dulles these same barriers to progress.
The red candidate said he does not want the county to take on any more major projects because their busy addressing the future of Tysons, but he would be happy to talk with people about Route 1.
Unlike my opponents who provide no means of funding any of these projects, I have delivered common sense strategies that maximize our alliance throughout Virginia to achieve fair treatment for Fairfax County taxpayers and students.
A Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Will Radle
4:57 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
My plan provides the funding necessary to widen Route 1 from Alexandria to Prince William County and to extend the Yellow Line with state and federal support or light rail if Richmond and Washington fail us again.
I welcome and would appreciate your feedback. Thanks, Kari, for the question.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle
Kari Wright Warren
9:06 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
Here's why I am confused about whether the traffic has been exploding exponentially is really due to BRAC. In the morning, traveling south on 7100 (Fairfax Co. Pkwy.) from the I-95 exchange toward Route 1 is backed up for at least 1/2 mile. The traffic turns north onto Route 1...and then goes RIGHT PAST Ft. Belvoir! A public affairs officer from Ft. Belvoir gave me some insights...and I have been seeing what he is saying. Those entering and exiting Ft. Belvoir are not the issue. I have been trying to put a finger on it, but nothing makes sense to me. In the afternoon (from 4:00 until almost 7:00 on a lot of days), traveling south on Route 1, it is often backed up from Woodlawn Plantation to the Tulley Gate...only no one is turning into or jammed up coming out. The backup then continues again on Fairfax County Parkway until you get to the I-95 ramp. I honestly am not seeing the traffic coming onto or out of Belvoir with any increase (I've lived here 36 years and have a sense of what is normal). I honestly believe that Route 1 is becoming a thoroughfare to an even greater extent for the commuters trying to avoid I-95 (which I avoid like the plague--so I have no sense of how that is faring, whether it be for better or the worse). But, all of that puts an undue burden on us commuting locally and we have very few options on how to get to places west of us, given that there are few feeder roads leading to the major roads we need to travel on. I hope I am making sense!
Greg Crider
10:05 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
I found the same back-up this evening on Rte 1 @ 4:30. Fortunately (for me, at least) I was going northbound but the two southbound lanes were gridlocked from Telegraph Rd to Woodlawn Rd. Whether BRAC is a contributing factor to the back-ups is not really all that important to me. The traffic is already here and we need to focus on the solutions and not who to blame. Rte 1 needs to be widened to three lanes with a median. This stretch of road also had two fatal accidents last Spring and needs to be improved ASAP!
The next step in that process is the development of alternatives being conducted by the Federal Highway Admin as outlined at their public information meeting on Oct 19 at the South County Center. Completion of the Environmental Assessment is due in the Spring. Let's keep the pressure on our local, state and federal officials to make sure the construction project is fully funded so it can get done as soon ASAP!
Will Radle
10:29 pm on Monday, October 31, 2011
Kari and Greg, thank you. It's not about blame; we seek to establish accountability moving forward. My plan funds the widening of Route 1 and light rail at a minimum. In speaking with Delegate Surovell and Supervisor Hyland, we see this as the effective solution we need.
I ask for two things: your support on November 8 and accountability to deliver the solutions we have been discussing. Thank you.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
Bruce Wright
3:40 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
It was announced today that "Virginia has secured a $180 million grant from the Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment to widen Route 1 in the area of Fort Belvoir to six lanes between Telegraph Road and Mount Vernon Highway. The 3.5-mile widening could begin as early as 2013 and take up to three years to complete." http://governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=978
Will Radle
4:08 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Years late, if not decades. The people of Mount Vernon have been working on these issues since 1967. Why has it taken so long to make so little progress? Ineffective advocacy from our Board of Supervisors.
We can do better moving forward together.
A. WIll Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1