More than 25 years ago, when my husband, Chip, and I first moved to McLean, our area commuters sat in traffic on average for 16 hours a year. Now, the average commuter sits in traffic for 62 hours, almost a four-fold increase, the largest in the nation. Working men and women, and moms and dads trying to get to work, school plays, soccer or Little League games, probably aren’t surprised to learn that the Washington metropolitan area ranks second only to Los Angeles in traffic congestion. They live it every day. 

When it comes to solving our traffic problems, Richmond is broken. For over a decade now, the bipartisan failure on transportation solutions results in the current system facing near bankruptcy. Year after year, relieving traffic congestion is not the priority it should be in Richmond. Even when federal transportation stimulus money was being handed out this year, Virginia was the absolute last state in the nation to apply. 

SOLVING the legislative gridlock on transportation has to be a top priority. When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. For example, shouldn’t transportation spending take precedence over weatherizing homes, which got a budget increase from $4 million to $94 million courtesy of the federal stimulus? We were sold the stimulus as infrastructure spending in our states but only an estimated 6 percent of stimulus funds went to meeting infrastructure needs. Yet, why not push for flexibility to actually meet our state’s needs? The extra $90 million in funds for weatherizing a limited number of homes could have been far better utilized in Virginia for our crumbling infrastructure and keeping our rest stops open. And a tax credit would be a more efficient way to weatherize homes rather than creating new programs subject to fraud, waste and abuse. 

Traffic congestion costs the average commuter $1,207 and the region $2.7 billion annually according to the 2009 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas Transportation Institute. That figure is based on a salary of $14 a hour. For those in our area with higher salaries and dual incomes, the family costs are thousands — even tens of thousands of dollars — more. 

We are reaching a tipping point on our traffic situation in Northern Virginia and failure is simply not an option. 

First, we need to make relieving congestion our top priority so that we do not stall our economic recovery and growth. To that end, I support and will champion legislation to establish a bipartisan commission tasked with developing a comprehensive transportation plan that reprioritizes transportation funding to address traffic congestion and economic growth, and is committed to changing the state transportation funding formula. Northern Virginia must get more than the estimated 17-20 cents on every transportation dollar we send to Richmond.

Second, I support utilizing Virginia energy resources and having a comprehensive energy strategy in Virginia that encourages wind, solar, alternative fuels, clean coal, nuclear power and offshore drilling. With appropriate safeguards to protect the environment, drilling for oil and natural gas off the coast of Virginia should be part of a comprehensive energy policy to lower our energy costs and create jobs in Virginia, with the royalties from drilling being largely dedicated as a new revenue stream to finance our depleted transportation fund. And nuclear power is another source for new jobs and new energy. Even though nuclear power only provides 20 percent of nation’s electricity, it produces 70 percent of the carbon free electricity.

Third, I support an amendment to Virginia’s constitution to prohibit raiding of Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund.

Fourth, I will push for accelerated use of the $3 billion in bonds authorized for transportation improvements.

Fifth, I support increasing the use of innovative public private partnerships and promoting additional research into Intelligent Transportation systems to make our transportation system more efficient. Right now with our uncertain economic situation, large amounts of capital are sitting on the sidelines. We need to tap into those resources and provide incentives to have the private sector help us solve these problems. 

FINALLY, I will be a strong advocate for telework and I am committed to the goal of having 20 percent of the workforce taking advantage of telework options. In the 1990s, when I worked for U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10), we were early pioneers on this front. Not only is this a solution for traffic congestion, but it also is a family friendly solution that provides more flexibility for today’s working men and women. 

When it comes to transportation solutions, Richmond is broken. We need to exercise the political will to roll up our sleeves and get the job done, rather than score political points. When we unclog our transportation arteries and get Northern Virginia moving again – Northern Virginia, the vibrant economic engine of the state, can do anything.

By Barbara Comstock

Barbara Comstock is a McLean resident and the Republican candidate for the 34th District House of Delegates seat.