<bt>Our transportation problems have grown worse over the past four years, and absolutely nothing is being done about it. My opponent sits on the Transportation Committee in the General Assembly but introduces no road or transit bills. His promised new road-funding formula is nonexistent. In fact, no new project has been conceived in four years. Where is our advocate?
We are further behind today on the Van Dorn I-495 Exit, the Franconia/Van Dorn interchange and Telegraph Road than before. But expect even more promises and credit-taking for projects long in the works, like the Mixing Bowl or Beulah Street.
We need a leader in Richmond who will help the county improve our transportation infrastructure. Here is how I think this can be done:
First, we must address the source of our problem — out-of-control growth and sprawl. We need to time-phase development to make sure that our road, school and other public infrastructure is funded before building commences.
Second, we must shift some of our existing resources to improved public transit to get commuters out of their cars and explore Bus Rapid Transit in our commuting corridors.
Third, we must shift more of our existing resources to improved signalization and smaller project fixes, like turning lanes that can improve traffic flow.
I will be a loud and strong advocate for needed local road improvements, but we cannot pave our way out of the traffic mess in which we find ourselves. Because I will work for smarter growth, I was endorsed by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.