Efficient transportation and infrastructure systems are essential to economic growth and quality of life. But our transportation system is aging. In fact, the Virginia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) graded Virginia a C- on its Report Card for Virginia’s Infrastructure. Unless the next Administration has a clear game plan for improving Virginia’s transportation system, the existing weaknesses and the specter of increased congestion will cripple Virginia’s economic development strategies. We need to ensure that every transportation dollar is spent for maximum impact. Virginia must prioritize transportation projects that reduce congestion, improve safety, and promote economic opportunities for Virginians.
As governor, Ed will will:
- Establish a Transportation Lock Box and Effectively Administrate Transportation Funding
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Advance Technological and Practical Solutions:
- Work to modify signal timing to handle unexpected surges in traffic or vary movements at rush hour. We should advance dynamic signal technologies that read traffic flows and adjust lights accordingly. These technologies are effective at reducing congestion.
- Support new laws and accident response practices to move accidents from the traffic lane and get slow motorists out of the left lane.
- Enhance safety patrols, pop-up screening of accidents to reduce rubbernecking and advance other measures to get more out of the transportation network we already have.
- Reform METRO by leading, along with our neighboring jurisdictions, Metro forward to ensure safety, reliability and long-term sustainability of the system. This will require a thoughtful approach that balances Metro’s legitimate needs with necessary reforms and in a way that protects the taxpayer. This is possible, but we must first address the long-term structural problems that forced Metro into crisis.
- Grow the Port of Virginia, including deepening it to 55 feet and widening.
To read the “Route Causes: A Better Transportation Plan for ALL Virginians” Plan, click HERE.
In addition to transportation, Virginia needs strong leadership to enhance infrastructure that will protect Virginia’s coastal communities from damaging flooding. Ed will reform state programs that prevent or reduce flooding risk, address sea level rise, and adapt to living with water.
As governor, Ed will:
- Fix Flooding Infrastructure by restoring the Virginia Shoreline Resiliency Fund and restructuring the Virginia Pooled Financing Program
- Fight for Affordable Flood Insurance: Ed will work to maximize Virginia coastal communities Community Rating System to lower insurance costs.
- Advance Innovation and Create Jobs: Virginia should create an export industry of dealing with flooding adaptation much like the Netherlands.
- Flood-Proof Our Military Installations: Langley-Eustis could flood 280 times per year from tidal flooding by 2050.
- Empower Localities to Lead
- Designate A Coastal Flooding Adaptation Officer
To read Ed’s “Sea Level Rise and Recurrent Flooding” Action Plan, click HERE.