Republicans launch transportation proposal
By Brian Kirwin | Thursday, March 27th, 2008 | Catch-AllDels. Glenn Oder and Phil Hamilton today formally asked VDOT to study a single-tube expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. This is by far the most congested chokepoint in Hampton Roads, and Republicans are moving to address this now, apart from any regional transportation package.
Much more here
This lowers congestion at a lower cost than previous plans and lowers the right of way impact on homes and businesses. The letter can be found here
Oder indicated that “it is most important for this study to be paid for and managed by VDOT in order to be independent of past Metropolitan Planning Organization and Hampton Roads Planning District Commission studies and proposals.”
Hamilton added, “The urgency of this request cannot be overstated. The time for addressing the traffic congestion issues of the most important transportation corridor in Hampton Roads is long overdue.”
Mayor Fraim offered some support, saying he’d support the Republican initiative if it didn’t hurt the other six projects.
Well, since no one knows if we’ll ever get the six projects, and the MPO doesn’t seem chomping at the bit to change any of them, I’m not worried about their six projects.
Kudos to Oder and Hamilton for focusing on traffic congestion and not waiting for the MPO or HRPDC to get it.
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The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
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One Response to "Republicans launch transportation proposal"
I take it with grain of salt. These 2 legislators have been all over the map, as the wind blows, on stances on the regional(port and southside) transportation issues. The 10 year saber-rattling by the HRP/CofC/Port/developers/etc about this being primarily about “traffic congestion” has come home to roost. The Commonwealth west of HR has accepted this spin (the HRP has said it so often, it may believe it also); but the facts are, the entire Commonwealth is the major beneficiary of the port of Virginia. (this was stated 4 years ago on the HRP website, but has mysteriously disappeared).
When (and if) the entire state cooperates in support of its state port to better compete with the other eastern seaboard ports, we will progress.
(Arthur Collins HR Planning District Commission, notwithstanding)
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