VDOT makes ‘drastic’ cuts in budget

anon.. as someone who regularly travels on 288.. i would take exception to your thought that we didn’t need it.  Most major cities have “beltways” that allow people to easily get from one area in the region to another.. It is not realistic to believe that people won’t commute from outer areas.  I don’t expect an expressway be built for 100 people.. but obviously the need was there.. so the state built it.. It is their “job” to take care of the infrastructure needs of the commonwealth and deal with growth and expansion.  Not sure where all the “dead space” is that you are referring to because the last time I drove around it seemed like things were pretty well developed in henrico/chesterfield/hanover etc..

Having lived in Virginia all of my life, two things are clear: (1) A major reason for the shortfall in funds available for transportation is that the General Assembly, like Congress, has for years used transportation funds for other purposes and (2) closing rest areas is a high-profile, highly visible action designed to excite citizens into calling for massive tax increases.

Self-serving members of both parties have, for years, placed their pet partisan projects and personal interests ahead of sound financial management and allowed critical infrastructure to deteriorate. 

Until the electorate stands up, takes notice, and seizes the initiative to eject these self-serving partisans from office, there is no hope for improvement. 

I encourage every Virginian to become intimately involved in researching the performance of incumbents and learning about candidates in future elections. Simple put, we must elect officials who will work for the common good rather than vote on the basis of party labels or political propaganda.

I cannot understand why VDot does not have enough money? Where is it all going? Like the first poster said, VA is a ‘drive thru’ state and the sad part is that as people drive south to NC on their way to vacation, they have to endure one of the ugliest, most worn, and under maintained section of highway right through the center of our city. It seems to me that one of the ways we could help elevate the economy in Richmond is by changing people’s impression of our city and the easiest way to do that is by cutting the fricking grass along 95 and 64. Or by picking up the trash…or even better fixing the highway. Millions of people pass through our corridor every year. A little money spent wisely would help attract ore people to the city. I am relieved however find out that the repairing of 64 got approved, so i guess there is some good news. But come on, can’t we do better for our city?

I agree that closing rest areas is detrimental to the safety of travelers on the interstate system.  It is difficult to comprehend how closing rest areas will save money with hundreds of thousands, millions perhaps, is spent on traffic cameras in NoVA and Hampton Roads, miles and miles of lighted interstate, and electronic message boards that often go unused. 

Don’t knock the Rails to Trails project. As a native of Southside Virginia, this is a project putting local contrators to work and it has the real potential to spur growth in the equine industry and outdoor adventurists who want to escape the big city. I am a member of one of the southside revitalization groups, and I can speak first hand that interest is growing amongst that demographic.  Unless you have lived in that area and have experienced the deep economic hardship of textile and tobacco industry collapse, you can’t quickly pass judgement on how crutial projects like this area to attracting new people to this region. 

It’s time for Virginia to take a good, hard look at how we use transportation and what we are willing to pay for it.  I say put the tolls back on the roads (we had them for years), and let’s collect substantial revenue from drivers passing through the state.  Sell off the rest areas and redevelop them into gas stations, convenience stores, and retail opportunity. Property won’t go into disrepair, tax revenue will be generated and jobs created. Ohio and Pennsylvania did it and implimated a pay for the distance you drive turnpike system. The majority of citizens there don’t complain about it.

Oh, and you spelled ridiculous incorrectly.