How was the PWC Board meeting last night?

VDOT now officially backs toll roads (misnamed HOT) so I don't think one can look for help there, at least without a change of administration. Market-based "solutions" are bread-and-butter for the Republicans in charge in Richmond, but I doubt even the Democrats would be immune to the allure of laying pavement and claiming revenue.

Anyone notice Congressman Frank Wolf's ad on WTOP this morning that mentions, as a positive, that he "reduced restrictions on the HOV lanes"? Is that a reference to something on I66 or to the long-ago switch from HOV-4 to HOV-3 on I95?

One thing we could use is a solid counter-proposal. Remember, this all started as an unsolicited proposal by Clark, and then Fluor jumped in. No one asked for this. VDOT has no study that says this idea is going to reduce congestion. The RTA didn't ask for it, as far as I know. The District hasn't said anything. But the toll roads proposal is all anyone has to think about -- we need alternative ideas put forward, and a prominent citizen to help. A Congressperson, perhaps.

It is my understanding that the Board(s) of Supervisors really don't have any say-so in this. One of the frightening aspects is that this Regional Transportation Board acts autonomously and can push through whatever they want. There is no voting, no approval by counties, nothing. They just recommend it and VDOT does it. This Transportation Board does have periodic meetings, but it has appeared to me that they dont advertize the meetings too much. I will try to find out when the next one is. I think it may be posted on VDOT site.

Correct me if I am mistaken, but I thought the HOV lanes fell under federal jurisdiction. If this is the case, then how can the Boards of Supervisors approve the HOT lanes as they are being proposed? Wouldn't a letter writing compaign to our elected officials, both in Congress and in Richmond, be more productive? Maybe calls to different radio and TV stations as well. They've done enough stories on the slug system that the potential demise of the slugs would definitely be of interest to them.

If you're the wife of a cop, wait until you hear this: inside the beltway, Fluor's proposal calls for three 11'-wide (substandard) lanes, a 2'-wide shoulder, and a 9'-wide shoulder, both sides up against jersey walls.

Imagine what it will be like for a trooper trying to write a speeding ticket or help a citizen on a 9'-wide shoulder. Imagine having to change a tire there. Would you even want to sit in your car on a shoulder next to three lanes of (supposedly) high speed traffic?

Safety is the reason VDOT opposed adding a third lane years ago. Guess they don't care about the troopers anymore. Or the public. Just the developers.

I should have answered ering's first question above.

I spoke at the meeting and the BOCS looked at me attentively and nodded a lot. They appeared to be listening. One member, in particular, seemed to be in agreement with at least the gist of what I was saying (No Toll Roads) and I'm told this was probably Corey Stewart of Occoquan. He was the youngest on the board. The developers probably haven't gotten his name into their check-producing system yet. (Or maybe he's just smarter than the rest.)

Nonetheless, the proof remains in the pudding: the next day the PWC BOCS had a group hug with the equally befuddled Stafford board and declared their unanimous agreement that charging citizens tolls is a good idea. You'll find a link to an article describing this warm moment in one of the other threads.