Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s $4 billion plan to improve roads and ease congestion has been released with much fanfare, but Fairfax officials are griping that he is bolstering his reputation on projects the county already has begun. “Everyone wants credit for making these big roads projects happen, but sometimes the credit belongs outside of Richmond,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay, D-Lee, chairman of the county board’s transportation committee.
McKay cited the construction of Mulligan Road near Fort Belvoir, being built to connect Richmond Highway with Telegraph Road. The planning and the first phase of construction are already complete, thanks to local and federal funding, McKay said.
Of the 31 projects on McDonnell’s list that are exclusive to Fairfax County, most of the state funding supplements dollars and effort that have already been spent, county officials said.
Other projects include installing sound barriers on the Capital Beltway between Old Dominion Boulevard and Georgetown Pike, the widening of Route 50 and Rolling Road, and several projects related to the opening of Beltway HOT lanes.
Fairfax’s complaints come amid an ongoing struggle to prove its need for a greater share of state funds. The county has about 12 percent of the state’s population and the lion’s share of traffic problems, but a smaller percentage of state-funded transportation projects.
