Are Transportation Cuts Affecting Your Safety?

The economic woes plaguing many American families are extending to Virginia’s transportation budget – and they could affect your safety on the road. Recent funding cuts of about 60% – more than $600 million – to Virginia's transportation departments will leave many necessary improvements and safety changes unfunded.

This drop in funding is the result of an estimated $200 million less this year from the federal government for Virginia to build and maintain her roads. In addition, Virginia state funding is expected to be down 44%, costing the transportation budget another $400 million. Why is this happening now, and what will the impact be?

Why the Transportation Budget Shortfall?

You might wonder why funding for something as basic as the safety of Virginia’s roads and highways is taking such an enormous hit. It all comes back to the economy, and many of the same forces that are impacting grocery and gas prices across the country.

So far this year gas tax revenue is down 12%, as Virginians are shying away from using gas now that prices have topped $4 a gallon. In addition, a struggling economy means that residents are shopping less, and that means a shortfall in sales tax revenues. In addition, prices are up for more than just Virginia residents – construction costs are also up, which means that projects that have been planned for years now cost much more than originally thought.

Finally, Virginia’s constitution calls for maintenance work to be taken care of before new construction projects. However, with the huge budget shortfall there won’t be much, if anything, left after basic maintenance is taken care of.

Transportation Projects We Need – But Won’t Get

Officials expect that the following planned transportation improvements will have to be shelved, some until 2010 at the earliest – and some may not be done at all.

Safety improvements at the intersection of Routes 29 and 666 in Culpeper, which is considered one of the county’s deadliest intersections. New Eastern View high-school is located here. Construction price increases mean that this project, once projected to cost $22 million, is now expected to top $42 million.
An Outer Loop project to connect Route 522 with 729 in order to relieve the pressure on Route 522 by sending traffic around the town of Culpeper, rather than through it.
A project in Culpeper to make Route 3 and Route 666 into four-lane roads. This project may be scrapped completely.
Updates to the outdated and extremely congested intersections of Route 1 and 123 in Prince William County may not be done until 2014.
What was a fully funded lane expansion for Route 7 in Loudoun County is now $18 million short due to budget cuts.
Widening Rolling Road near Fort Belvoir in Fairfax county from 2 to 4 lanes to ease serious congestion and fix dangerous curves won’t be done at this time.

As Our Region Grows, So Does Congestion – and Accidents

Residential growth is another reason that more funding is needed for Virginia roads, because population growth translates to exponentially more traffic congestion – and more cars on the road means more accidents. Northern Virginia’s population is expected to increase 25% in the next 25 years, but traffic, which is measured in lane miles of congestion, is expected to increase more than 40%. In the outer suburbs, congestion is projected to double.

Despite all the budget cuts, road and highway safety should be everyone’s priority. Nobody should have to suffer from the effects of a serious auto accident. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a traffic accident, then we can help. Please contact the law offices of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas today and let us work with you to secure the compensation that you deserve.

DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP

Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631

Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046