Commonwealth Transportation Board set to vote today on state road construction budget, Kaine visits Fredericksburg tonight

Date published: 6/19/2008

By KELLY HANNON

A blockbuster debate over transportation funding in Virginia is shaping up over the next week.

Today, the Commonwealth Transportation Board is poised to vote on a $10.1 billion Six-Year Improvement Program that's $700 million less than last year, leading to cuts in new highway construction.

The vote will precede an afternoon press conference by Gov. Tim Kaine in Richmond to discuss the transportation bill he plans to submit to a special session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday.

Then, Kaine is holding a town hall meeting in Fredericksburg tonight to discuss his transportation plan.

Regardless of what happens in next week's special session, though, the state transportation board has to pass a budget for the upcoming year. And it votes on the Six-Year Improvement Program every year, so changes in future years are always possible if the special session yields new money for roads and transit.

"I'm ready to vote, and I'll just keep pushing for more funding," said Mary Lee Carter of Spotsylvania yesterday afternoon, following the CTB's Richmond meeting. Carter represents the 14 counties of the Fredericksburg District on the state transportation board.

Carter was disappointed several projects were cut for the Fredericksburg area, including several bridges, and she plans to press the issue with area legislators.

"I hope our representatives take notice of this. Are we jeopardizing our citizens' safety? This is what we have to look at," Carter said. "This is what transportation is about. It's about the safety issues."

According to the six-year program, the Fredericksburg District will get millions for new road construction projects between 2009 and 2014, and millions more to move projects closer to construction with design and engineering work.

But some projects, mostly bridge replacements, will be cut or delayed.

Cuts were made because the Virginia Department of Taxation predicts there will be less money over the next six years from the sources of transportation funding: motor vehicle sales, gas taxes, vehicle license fees and recordation taxes.

Since maintenance is a funding priority by state law, the cuts tricked down to new construction.

Among the local cuts--a new bridge over Mattox Creek in Westmoreland County and new bridges over Nine Mile Branch and Lick Run in Spotsylvania.

TRANSPORTATION TOWN HALL Gov. Tim Kaine will speak about his transportation funding proposal from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center at 1119 Hanover St., Fredericksburg. Attendees will have a chance to ask Gov. Kaine questions following his presentation. There are two small parking lots at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. One is next to the center, and another is across the street at the University of Mary Washington's Indoor Tennis Center. Be prepared to park on Hanover Street or a neighboring street and walk a block or two, depending on turnout.

Date published: 6/19/2008