Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Drive around northern Virginia and you will see a great deal of construction on both road and rail projects. But some local leaders are warning such projects may be non-existent in a few years.
In Fairfax County, work continues on the $6 billion Metro Rail expansion to Dulles Airport and on the Interstate 95 Express Lanes.
The Metro Rail project includes a mixture of local tax, state and federal money. The Express Lane project is being financed though a public-private partnership.
But Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova says her county could be $300 million short in transportation money each year for the next decade.
Bulova says they won’t even be able to keep up with routine maintenance like paving and sidewalk repair.
“Bridges and overpasses are not going to be improved and you are going to see some serious degradation,” says Bulova.
She was among those meeting with the general assembly members from the county on Tuesday.
“This affects mass transit as well as roads and as well as maintenance,” she says.
Most local governments in northern Virginia are facing the same issue.
There have been numerous proposals to raise money statewide including an inflation indexed gas tax hike.
Gov. Bob Mcdonnell has been noncommittal on what he plans to propose to raise more transportation funds.
He told WTOP radio last week he will have some suggestions prior to the start of the legislative session.
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