Norfolk’s Fraim shutout of Midtown Tunnel discussions
By JR Hoeft | Friday, August 6th, 2010 | PolicyThe Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Norfolk’s Mayor Paul Fraim is trying to force Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell into making some decisions with respect to adding a second tube to the outdated single-tube Midtown Tunnel that connects Norfolk to Portsmouth and the new Western Freeway.
Not only does Fraim want the state to pony up significant cash for the project, he wants whatever tolls that are levied to not be greater than $1.50 per car.
“It’s a question of priorities and fairness,” Fraim said.
Apparently the mayor is concerned because he hasn’t been included in the discussions being held at VDOT and hasn’t seen any of the plans or proposals for the project that is due to begin in 2012.
Unfortunately for Fraim, that doesn’t mean VDOT hasn’t prioritized this project and that plans and proposals aren’t moving forward – without him.
According to VDOT, they do share the mayor’s goal of keeping the project on track to minimize cost and tolls low. However, it is apparent Fraim just isn’t going to be included in the discussion where he can take the credit for something he has nothing to do with.
According to Taylor Thornley, spokeswoman for the governor:
“Governor McDonnell agrees with the concerns expressed by Mayor Fraim in his letter. The expansion of the midtown tunnel is a priority to the Governor. Secretary Connaughton, in conjunction with VDOT, is working to see this project move forward and get underway.”
Connaughton and VDOT are making sure the project gets underway, not Fraim.
Ouch.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
6 Responses to "Norfolk’s Fraim shutout of Midtown Tunnel discussions"
Hey Fraim, how’s that endorsement of Creigh Deeds workin’ for ya?
Today’s Pilot article is simply just more of the same evidence that the Speaker of the House, Bill Howell and his legislative majority, have essentially been engaged in a program to destroy our road infrastructure by starving it of resources. As a property manager of commercial property, if I had acted this way, I would be fired immediately; but we, the “board of directors” of the Commonealth, reelect these same spendthrifts over and over again.
These Delegates value tax cuts over maintenance, safety, and sustainment, and while they gloat over cutting taxes, anyone with one iota of intelligence knows in the long run their policies will cost the taxpayers more. Anyone who voted for the cabel of McDonnell, Howell, Purkey, Cosgrove, Joannou, Oder, Gear, et al. deserves part of this blame for the deplorable and unsafe condition of our road network.
Of course, we’ll get another quip from BK, but are there any republicans left of good conscience who are sick of the slow and steady destruction of our road network?
It’s a shame Mark Warner shafted the transportation network in his 2004 budget reform effort.
Yes, another joke from Brian. Republicans want user fees, Warner agreed. So now you’re blaming him for not putting more general fund money into transportation? No, this debacle is owned entirely by Howell and his legislative majority supported by now by Governor McDonnell.
Better that the Midtown Tunnel project is stalled so the plan can be improved.
First, it doesn’t add the hoped-for mass transit capacity. It would require a third tube to do it. Second, the second tube is poorly designed in order to get the cost down. Two-way traffic can’t be run through it due to the cheap ventilation system proposed.
Add the transit capacity, pegging the toll at $2.50 or more as the inducement to get people to use transit, and this thing could work fine.
Tolls will discourage use and drivers will simply shift to the HRBT, which may happen regardless.
They need to find a way to do this without tolls, even if it means waiting for better times.
Leave your response