How was the PWC Board meeting last night?

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SpongeBob

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Posted: 28 Oct 2004 at 4:45pm

No, the Feds don't own them. VDOT owns the highways.

No writing of letters is going to stop this project. Only loud public outcry will work. But the death of the slug won't mean anything to most people. Better to point out the hit to their wallets. The free HOV lanes at night and mid-day are Going Away Forever in about a year. That'll get some attention.

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Posted: 28 Oct 2004 at 6:27pm

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.

ering

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Posted: 29 Oct 2004 at 10:13am

I would definitely think that someone has the authority to stop this. If the Fed can step in and tell VA to change its regulations regarding Hybrids I would think that they could step in and tell VA a road paid for by tax dollars cannot be switched to toll. There is more to this than what is being said. I do think that a public outcry would catch some attention.

Erin

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Posted: 29 Oct 2004 at 11:14am

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.

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SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Oct 2004 at 4:45pm
	No, the Feds don't own them. VDOT owns the highways. No writing of letters is going to stop this project. Only loud public outcry will work. But the death of the slug won't mean anything to most people. Better to point out the hit to their wallets. The free HOV lanes at night and mid-day are Going Away Forever in about a year. That'll get some attention.

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Oct 2004 at 6:27pm
	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.

ering Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ering Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2004 at 10:13am
	I would definitely think that someone has the authority to stop this. If the Fed can step in and tell VA to change its regulations regarding Hybrids I would think that they could step in and tell VA a road paid for by tax dollars cannot be switched to toll. There is more to this than what is being said. I do think that a public outcry would catch some attention. Erin

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2004 at 11:14am
	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.