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VDOT Reform and Transportation Funding
Although there have been some improvements in state transportation
policies in recent years, VDOT continues to pursue an
outdated approach that focuses on road construction as
the solution to virtually every transportation problem
and largely ignores the link between transportation and
land use. This approach is extremely costly to taxpayers,
destroys natural and rural areas, spurs sprawl development,
increases air and water pollution, limits people's transportation
choices, and increases energy dependence, while doing
little to relieve congestion in the long run.
Despite the billions of dollars of taxpayer funds being
spent on transportation each year in Virginia and the
push by roadbuilders and others to increase transportation
funding, much of this money has not been spent wisely.
Gridlock and air pollution are getting worse, many existing
roads and bridges are in poor condition, and transportation
and land use decisions are rarely coordinated. Here are
some indicators of the problems we face:
- A national study identified more wasteful and destructive
highway proposals in Virginia than in any other state.
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- People in Virginia drive over 212 million miles daily,
farther than to the sun and back every day. The resulting
emissions are a primary cause of our air pollution problems.
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- People in Northern Virginia and the rest of the Washington
region who drive during peak periods spend an average
of more than two work weeks each year stuck in traffic–one
of the worst congestion rates in the country.
Governor Warner and General Assembly members of both
parties have recognized the need to reform VDOT and to
improve our transportation policies. Some positive steps
have been taken, such as developing a more realistic six-year
transportation plan and adopting a pedestrian and bicycle
policy. Yet the focus has primarily been on improving
VDOT’s efficiency, rather than addressing the deeper problems
with Virginia’s transportation policies, and little has
been done to address the role suburban sprawl plays in
causing transportation problems. In addition, there is
increasing reliance on the state Public Private Transportation
Act, a flawed statute that can undermine sound transportation
planning.
VDOT’s massive spending–over $3.1 billion this fiscal
year–continues to focus overwhelmingly on roads. Much
of this money will be wasted. Increasing evidence indicates
that new and wider highways actually generate significant
new traffic without providing long-term congestion relief
since they cause development to spread out and the amount
of driving to increase. Gridlock, sprawl, and pollution
will get even worse unless we reform VDOT and our transportation
policies.
There are many positive alternatives and practical solutions
to Virginia's transportation crisis. These steps do not
require new taxes or regulation of the private sector.
Support a more balanced transportation system.
Any legislation or budget provision that provides or relates
to transportation funding should advance two key goals:
- First, use our resources more efficiently by focusing
on repairing our existing transportation system before
spending billions of dollars on new roads. Although
VDOT’s current budget increases spending on maintenance,
the agency has underestimated the serious backlog of
maintenance on highways and bridges in the past, as
the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found.
- Second, shift funding to alternatives such as public
transit, freight rail, transit-oriented development,
walking, and bicycling to move Virginia toward a more
balanced transportation program by reducing the current
overemphasis on road construction. At least 50 percent
of any new funding should go to these alternatives,
which can reduce congestion, are cheaper and less destructive,
and several provide better services for elderly, disabled,
and low-income citizens.
Support creating a strong state rail authority.
Last session, the General Assembly defeated a bill to
create a rail authority to finance or assist in financing
the construction and repair of rail lines and facilities,
although it had taken steps in the previous session toward
creating such an authority. The Governor has appointed
a rail study commission and any legislation to enhance
rail or create a strong rail authority to help generate
badly-needed funds for passenger and freight rail projects
should be supported to provide a greater range of transportation
choices, reduce congestion, and cut pollution.
Support transportation process reform. There
have been numerous efforts in recent sessions to reform
various aspects of the state transportation planning process.
Any action that will reduce the environmental impact of
transportation projects, increase public involvement in
the planning process, improve the Public Private Transportation
Act, or result in meaningful reform of VDOT and/or the
CTB should be supported.
Support improving the link between transportation
and land use policies, and providing incentives for smarter
growth. Potential measures include requiring
an assessment of the land use impacts of major transportation
projects, targeting transportation spending to existing
communities, targeting economic development assistance
to existing communities and locations with adequate pre-existing
transportation infrastructure, working with localities
to evaluate land use changes that can reduce congestion
more effectively than costly highway projects, and providing
technical assistance to local governments to help promote
transit-oriented development.
Trip Pollard or Kay Slaughter, Southern Environmental
Law Center, (434) 977-4090 Fax: (434) 977-1483, Email:
tpollard@selcva.org or kslaughter@selcva.org
Jolly de Give, Piedmont Environmental Council, (540)
347-2334, Fax: (540) 349-9003 Email: jdegive@pecva.org
Stewart Schwartz, Coalition for Smarter Growth, (202)
588-5570, Fax: (202) 588-5676, Email: email@smartergrowth.net
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