No Time For Gridlock In Richmond

When the new year started, Northern Virginians who were tired of being stuck in traffic, or being left standing on the Metrorail platform watching overstuffed trains pull away, at least had some hope that help was coming. With the General Assembly's Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007, it seemed that state legislators were finally giving this region tools to make up for years of chronic underinvestment in our transportation infrastructure.

A combined package of state, local and regional funding would have amounted to $500 million to $600 million annually -- not everything needed but a solid start at addressing the backlog identified at more than $17 billion necessary to meet growing needs over the next 25 years.

Though additional state funding was meager, new regional and local revenue options were provided. We would have to tax ourselves, but at least all of the revenue would stay in Northern Virginia, supporting projects that would make a difference to commuters across the region. In addition, a portion of the regional revenue would be returned to the localities to support their individual transportation needs; another $50 million annually was earmarked for Metro and $25 million for Virginia Railway Express.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), a regional body with elected representatives from all nine Northern Virginia localities, acted quickly to implement the legislation. The NVTA approved the measures required by the new law, retained bond counsel, established accountability systems and began the work necessary to implement projects.

In just six months, with assistance from every local government in the region and state officials, the NVTA laid the groundwork for a comprehensive program of transportation improvements. This included an initial bond package to support $102 million in "ready to go" projects, and the first step toward a six-year capital plan with another $400 million in much-needed transportation funds. The authority was poised to begin issuing bonds and implementing projects this year that would offer immediate relief for drivers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians. From the Prince William Parkway to the Potomac Yards Transitway to improved access at VRE and Metro stations -- every component of our transportation network would have received funding to grow and better serve commuters and residents.

Then the Virginia Supreme Court threw out the centerpiece of last year's legislation: $300 million in annual funding from seven new taxes and fees. To make matters worse, Virginia officials also announced a $1.1 billion reduction in VDOT's statewide primary, urban and secondary roads program and another $97 million reduction in funding for public transit. In addition, both the Senate and House of Delegates have removed $180 million in one-time general funds for transportation that were included in last year's state budget. These are devastating blows.

Now, Northern Virginia, the economic engine of the state, is facing a crisis. Immediate legislative action is needed to replace the lost funding stream.

Local officials from Northern Virginia -- elected and appointed, Democrat and Republican -- have been working in close cooperation to plan and implement a comprehensive program of transportation improvements. They have demonstrated the ability to work together and the political will to act decisively. We need the General Assembly to do the same. Without action in Richmond, we can't get it moving.

The 2007 legislation was by no means ideal. It represented an enormous compromise in which all the players accepted elements that they did not like in order to overcome a political stalemate that threatens the quality of life and economic vitality of our region.

Our deficient transportation system exacts a cost in lost productivity for businesses, damages our environment and robs us of time with our children. If it is allowed to persist, it may force business location decisions that could end the prosperity we have come to take for granted. Infrastructure improvements take time to put in place. If we don't get started soon, the continued degradation of mobility in the region may reach a point where we can't turn it around fast enough.

The governor and the General Assembly must act, and act swiftly. Until they do, Northern Virginia is stuck in neutral.

-- Christopher Zimmerman -- Martin Nohe

The writers are chairman and vice chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Christopher Zimmerman, a Democrat, represents Arlington; Martin Nohe, a Republican, represents Prince William County.