Call for a "Roads Blueprint"   Between the new taxes just enacted and financing by the private sector, Virginia should have ample funds to keep traffic congestion under control. The trick is crafting a plan and sticking to it.   After the congratulatory high-fives by legislative leaders for solving Virginia's traffic problems for decades to come, it is time for a reality check.   A lot of new money will flow into transportation thanks to the bill recently passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor. That money buys Virginia some time. But if the state and the regional transportation authorities don’t spend their new money wisely, Virginia is destined to years more of congestion, gridlock and a deteriorating lifestyle.   Unfortunately, much of the money in The Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007 is reserved for mass transit, even though only a fraction of those caught in the daily congestion nightmare ride METRO and there is no reason to believe they will change. Furthermore, the extension of METRO in Northern Virginia to Dulles airport will cost far more than $4 billion figure commonly cited. Most rapid rail projects end up costing two to three times the original estimate. If this holds true, Rail to Dulles could cost $8 billion to $12 billion dollars, draining funds from other priority transportation projects.   Also of concern: In the next twenty years more than 500,000 more people will move into Northern Virginia, and another million or more throughout the state. Without action, congestion will get worse in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads along with Richmond. Even smaller cities such as Charlottesville are expected to see a huge increase in traffic.   Virginia needs to craft a long-term transportation plan,  a "Roads Blueprint", to set priorities through 2030. The goal needs to be relieving congestion on roads, not expanding mass transit, bike trails and other transportation modes of limited value. Elected officials need to stick by the plan, and to alter it only when population shifts or economic growth alters the requirements.   The basis for such a “Roads Blueprint” can be found in a study recently commissioned by the Reason Foundation. That plan outlines how just $13 billion of road improvements -- $10 billion in projects in Northern Virginia and $3 billion in the rest of the state -- can keep congestion in check through 2030 if executed carefully and professionally.   This “Roads Blueprint” could be funded by the public sector, private sector or a combination of both. Virginia should open up to private resources more than it has to date. In West Virginia, the King Coal Highway was funded by the mining industry. In New Mexico U.S. 550 was built using a public-private partnership in 3½ years instead of 27 years as the state transportation department had planned. Indiana sold its toll road and funded much of its ten-year transportation plan. Pennsylvania is considering leasing its statewide toll road system for 30 years, and New Jersey is considering a similar plan. A huge amount of private investment is available here in Virginia for a serious and well thought out “Roads Blueprint.”   Needed improvements on I-81, the third crossing in Virginia Beach, expanding I-66 inside the Beltway in Arlington, HOT lanes and Bus Rapid Transit system are all open to private investment.   Virginia also should bid out the maintenance of its primary roads and possibly even its secondary roads. Done correctly, such a management decision could save billions of dollars by 2030, and the savings could be poured back into maintenance. That beats raising taxes, fees or tolls.   Meanwhile, our counties need to grow up and take responsibility for their own secondary roads and, where possible, the primary roads that run through their jurisdictions. Fully 46 states give this responsibility to counties and cities. Why should Virginia be any different? It is time to change.   -- April 16, 2007