The Virginia Department of Transportation is moving to get approval of its six-year plan for roads, even though the state has no approved budget or funding mechanism for transportation.
VDOT is basing its plan on the state’s November revenue forecast and takes into account rising constructioncosts. As a result, the money left for major roadway projects is predicted to drop by $40 million per year. Cuts of $67 million per year for subdivision and rural road projects are expected, as is a $53 million annual reduction for streets within towns and cities.
The state match for local transit dollars is expected to drop to 21 percent — adding more stress to strained local budgets.
“Even when we have a full-size budget pie, we have competition for projects, but with no approved budget, the size of the pie we are fighting over is going to be drastically smaller,” said Lon Anderson, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman.
Projects such as the Gainesville intersection at Interstate 66 and the widening of Routes 7 and 29 are in danger of cancellation or delay due to the cuts.
“It is going to be disastrous. There is no way to sugarcoat it,” said Sean Connaughton, Prince William Board of County Supervisors chair. “We are seeing cost escalations of two to three times what we anticipated due to the cost of right of way, raw materials and personnel.”
Fairfax County is facing a 60 percent cut to its plan nearly all roads except interstates, said Kathy Ichter, the county’s transportation director.
“They don’t have enough money. Those who are arguing that there is enough money are whistling past the graveyard,” said Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chair.
If Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board does not approve a six-year plan by July 1, the state could lose federal transportation dollars.
“The six-year plans come and go,” said David Snyder, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority chairman. “If we are going to get out of this cycle, the [Virginia] House has got to find a way to meet the Senate and governor to find funding that doesn’t appear one year and disappear the next.”
VDOT’s Six-Year Plan
» Working draft open to public review April 20
» Draft available online at www.virginiadot.org and local VDOT offices
» Public hearing at 6:30 p.m. May 3 at VDOT office in Chantilly, 12685 Avion Parkway
» Comments can be made online
