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Let's
Get Moving!
Virginia's
economy cannot grow without a sound transportation
system. Our roads, rails and ports are
increasingly overloaded. So, let's stop debating
and start taking action.
The
confetti was barely off the floor from
supporters’ celebrations before Governor-elect
Tim Kaine went “on the road” to talk to people
around the state about what Kaine himself terms
Virginia’s “most urgent issue” –
transportation. Not just cars, but trains, planes
and ships, too. He is carrying his message of
concern on this topic to every corner of Virginia
to get citizen input. His initiative is applauded.
There
is a sense, as Yogi Berra is alleged to have
noted, of “deja vous all over again.”
Providing an adequate response to the state of the
state’s transportation infrastructure is proving
to be more difficult in the “doing” than in
the “discussing,” given the fact that only a
year ago the same topic drew much attention prior
to the 2005 session of the General Assembly. Yet,
despite past lip service, few state leaders have
been willing to follow through with those tough
decisions that move Virginia forward in this
absolutely critical area – “unclogging” the
arteries of the Commonwealth’s economic life
blood.
As
Nero fiddled, Rome burned. In the recent past,
Virginians debated and debated, and debated some
more on our transportation problem. Meanwhile
the price tag for any solution or compromise
continued to go up. No matter what answers we
eventually agree on, transportation conditions
have only grown worse while we politely put the
issues to microscopic examination.
In
this case, doing nothing is much worse than doing
something, however imperfect that “something”
may be. Many projects are already on the
books that have been planned for years, but have
been delayed time and time again due to the debate
over budget priorities. These projects are ones
where the debate, essentially, is over. Debate and
delay is what led us to these problems in the
first place. The real priority is funding, and
this is the issue that must be addressed now
without fail.
The
major metropolitan areas of Northern Virginia and
Tidewater are two centers of gravity in
Virginia’s population and economy. Growth in
these two areas has been accelerating for more
than two decades. Roads alone are woefully
inadequate to handle the traffic, contributing to
a decline in life and environmental quality in
both areas. Commuter rail options in Northern
Virginia have been slow in developing and need
capital infusion to become more viable. Additional
water crossings will allow freer movement of
people and goods in Tidewater.
Heavy
congestion in the eastern half of the state has
pushed more traffic to the I-81 corridor in the
western half of Virginia, creating new and
unanticipated problems in that region. Western
Virginia has traditionally lacked a good highway
network or access to interstate commerce that
could awaken economic possibilities for the
long-overlooked people of that area.
There
are ideas far beyond the “dreaming” state that
can alleviate those conditions and many more. Too
many “concepts” are sitting on shelves,
waiting to come to life, and to bring an even
better life to most Virginians. These are the
issues we face.
The
memberships of our organization, the American
Council of Engineering Companies of
Virginia, is
made up of the people who design the
Commonwealth’s port-rail-air-ground
transportation infrastructure. We not only support
the elected leadership working to get Virginia’s
transportation future off the debate stage and
into substantive reality, but we also encourage
every Virginian to learn how investment today in
transportation will yield benefits well into the
future in both public safety and economic
security. Our state thrived through much of the
18th and 19th centuries because of its valuable
water transportation advantages. Virginia’s
ports are still invaluable assets for the
State’s economic well-being. But in the 21st
Century we need 21st Century infrastructure –
modern ports, excellent roads, good airports, and
efficient rail lines.
These
are more than conveniences for you and me to get
from Point “A” to Point “B” around
Virginia, whether to work, family or vacation.
These facilities are what help keep businesses in
the state and are key elements in decision-making
for companies trying to find where to locate a new
business or expand an existing one. Simply put, it
means job security for virtually all of us. And
more.
With
a stronger tax base enabled by healthy businesses,
we can afford to support all the social programs
that we’ve come to rely on and take for granted.
Good schools and affordable colleges. Efficient
public safety. Good public health. And, yes, even
a healthy environment. The list goes on.
Take away good roads, ports, rail lines and
airports, and we all lose one way or another. On
the other hand, investing in improving our entire
transportation infrastructure makes everyone in
Virginia a winner.
Please
let Mr. Kaine and your representatives in the
General Assembly know that you believe in
Virginia’s future and support what must be done
to get us there. Now is indeed the time for all to
lead Virginia forward.
--
December 12, 2005
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