 |
||
|
|
The Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) Board of Directors Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Northern Virginia Transportation Referendum. The half-cent sales tax increase will fund transportation projects in Northern Virginia. Over 40 percent of all bond funds generated would be used to finance transit projects including Metrorail extensions and infrastructure replacement, new transit lines and expansions of Virginia Railway Express. The Dulles Rapid Transit Project would receive $350 million in bond funding. “As we move forward and seek federal reauthorization having voter approval of local funding for the project will help our Northern Virginia congressional delegation in their efforts to get matching federal funds,” Delegate Ken Plum, DCRA Chairman, said. Federal funds are expected to cover half of the more than three billion dollars the project will cost. The DCRA resolution cites the increase in congestion in the region with delay per peak period road traveler having risen to 84 hours per year at a cost of $1,595 annually. It notes that Northern Virginia is projected to add 550,000 jobs and 785,000 residents by 2025. “To meet this growing demand Northern Virginia needs an enhanced, multi-modal transportation system,” Plum said. “The list of referendum projects includes many transit and high occupancy vehicle projects. All the funding will be spent in Northern Virginia with decisions made by a board of Northern Virginia elected officials. The voters will go to the polls on November 5. Leo Schefer, DCRA Board Member and Washington Airports Task Force President, said “While polls show support for the referendum, the key will be to get supporters to the polls to vote. We urge Northern Virginia businesses to encourage their employees to vote.” Plum noted the critical timing: “We need to have the financing nailed down this year so that the project can be included in the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation legislation in 2003.” |
|