Transportation reform up for discussion

General Assembly

“If you’re in Northern Virginia, traffic congestion is probably your biggest road problem. If you’re in Southwest Virginia, congestion isn’t even on the radar screen, but economic development and safety is. Virginia’s different transportation districts would weigh those priorities differently to decide on road projects under legislation House Republicans are pushing in the House of Delegates.

During a Monday news conference, House Speaker Bill Howell, R–Stafford, said a focus on prioritizing road projects comes after last year’s transportation funding reform bill put more money into transportation. ‘Now that we have this new funding we need to be sure we spend it in the most effective, most efficient way,’ Howell said. A number of lawmakers—including Del. Mark Cole, R–Spotsylvania—had proposed legislation this session that would have dictated how the Commonwealth Transportation Board prioritizes road projects.”

~Writes Chelyen Davis of The Free Lance–Star

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Transportation Bills

General Assembly

“On the transportation front, HB 2 as introduced would have required each locality in a VDOT construction district to vote individually as to transportation priorities as to whether they prefer allocations for transportation projects that address congestion relief or that would promote economic development. The bill is being rewritten to have the Commonwealth Transportation Board cooperate with MPOs in developing a prioritization process for allocating funds for the six-year improvement plan. Also, HB 854 and SB 470 are on their way to passage. The bills set a 35-mph maximum speed limit for gravel roads in all localities (currently the limit applies only to certain localities). The Senate has passed its version, while the House bill was approved Thursday in the House Transportation Committee.”

~Writes David Blount TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Bicycle-passing bill advances

General Assembly

“The Virginia Senate Transportation committee recently has approved a bill increasing the distance at which cars must pass bicycles, from 2 feet to 3 feet. Senate Bill 97, introduced by Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Fredericksburg, has been unsuccessfully introduced in the past by Reeves and a number of other Republican and Democratic legislators. Previous opponents of the bill, including Sen. Charles W. Carrico, R-Galax, have cited enforceability issues as a reason for barring passage of the bill, saying that it is hard for drivers to know the difference between 2- and 3-foot distances while driving.

This bill would change the distance at which a car can pass electric personal assistive mobility devices (scooters and wheelchairs), mopeds and animal-drawn vehicles. Twenty-two other states and Washington, D.C. have similar laws that say drivers must pass bicycles with at least 3 feet of room.”

~Writes Lauren McLellan of the Tidewater News

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Bike-Related Bills in the 2014 Virginia General Assembly

General Assembly

“With Session to begin tomorrow, the VBF is currently working for the passage of three bills focused on cycling. Two bills, one requiring three foot passing and another for dooring, have been introduced in the Senate by Senators Reeves and Petersen, and Delegate Comstock has introduced a “following too closely” bill in the House.”

~Writes the Virginia Bicycling Federation

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Senator proposes casinos to pay for transportation

General Assembly

Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-18) offers a solution to paying for bridges, roads and tunnels: casinos. ‘Transportation is most near and dear to my heart, but I don’t like tolls,’ she told the audience during the annual Richard J. Holland Pre-Session Legislative Breakfast in the Smithfield Center on Friday. The event was sponsored by the Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce. The Virginia General Assembly convenes for its 60-day session beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8. Del. Rick Morris (R-64) and Sen. John Cosgrove (R-14) were also speakers for the occasion. Western Tidewater is included in each of their respective districts.

Stating that 39 other states legally allow casino gambling, she asked, ‘Why not Virginia?’ Lucas will again introduce ‘SB 19 Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; regulation of casino gaming, penalties.’

The bill, if passed, would not only create a gaming authority, but also allow casino gambling in qualified localities, such as being limited to places were at least 40 percent of the land is exempt from real property taxation. Further, the bill puts into law where the taxes go, with 90 percent would be directed to the Toll Mitigation Fund. That will be used to reduce tolls set up to pay for building and maintaining the Dominion Boulevard Bridge and Roadway Improvement Project and the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/Martin Luther King Freeway Extension Project.”

~Writes Stephen Cowles of the Tidewater News

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