about 1 year ago - 1 comment
The Virginian Pilot recently reported that the state is going to accept proposals for a new, public-private Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and is pushing forward with a similar plan for US 460. HRBT The HRBT plan calls for a new, four-lane bridge/tunnel from the Peninsula to Norfolk. The existing lanes would be used for westbound [...]
about 1 year ago - 1 comment
As reported on PilotOnline recently, ODU’s recent State of the Region report is predicting a poor outlook for the region for the foreseeable future. It predicts a decline in Military funding and, in conjunction, a decline in military-related industries. This would ripple through our economy, sending us into a much longer, regional recession. It also [...]
about 1 year ago - 2 comments
VDOT has $5 million to spend on yet another study? If they had spent half as much on roads as on studies, we might have a world class transportation network here in Hampton Roads. As a region, we need to focus on building a well-planned “third crossing.” Expanding the HRBT will absolutely reduce congestion on [...]
about 2 years ago - 5 comments
Our new governor made his first speech to the General Assembly yesterday. His major issue was, of course, the budget deficit that Virginia faces. He promised to make the cuts necessary to balance the budget without raising taxes. To lead this charge, he promised to take a pay cut and his most of his staff [...]
about 2 years ago - 3 comments
Fairfax recently released a new 10-year plan aimed at making transit travel more attractive the vehicle travel. The plan would increase service and frequency, create new routes, and use innovative techniques such as tying traffic lights to bus schedules, so that they never wait at lights. They also plan on utilizing dedicated bus lanes and [...]
about 2 years ago - No comments
The state is getting ready to cut another billion dollars from VDOT. This is in addition to the over $3 billion that has already been cut out.We already can no longer afford to build roads or even maintain them. Now, we will be unable to plan and design them, meaning that we will be ineligible [...]
about 2 years ago - No comments
Everyone agrees that most of Hampton Roads’ most congested roadways are part of the Interstate System. These include Interstate 64′s HRBT and Interstate 264′s Downtown Tunnel. This also includes the need for the Third Crossing, which, for the most part, would take the name of Interstate 564. This also includes the Berkley Bridge and the [...]
about 2 years ago - No comments
I think it is agreed by everyone that 86 years is too long to wait to finish our roads. The first attempt at the HRTA was to utilize the following taxes/fees: $10 automobile inspection fee 5 percent tax on automobile repairs Grantor’s tax of 40 cents for every $100 of assessed value when selling a [...]
about 2 years ago - No comments
The HRTA was created as an effort by the General Assembly to give Hampton Roads what it so desperately needs: a dedicated funding source for major highway construction. However woefully inadequate this funding was, it was a start. Using the latest cost estimates (and including the HRBT), there are an estimated $14.6 billion worth of [...]
about 2 years ago - No comments
VDOT wants to close or at least cut back on the vehicle ferry that crosses the James River between Jamestown and Scotland. While most people around South Hampton Roads probably did not even know that a ferry existed, let me assure you: That ferry is as important a link between Surry County and the Williamsburg [...]
about 2 years ago
Round 1 of the Tom Foolery begins…Mcdonnell really needs to call a transportation session and start this ball rolling. like i’ve said before, i hope he’s not like his Rep colleagues and is going to be a great procrastinator