Funds for Northern Virginia Roads May Yield Few Results

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — The General Assembly's approval of $104 million in bonds to improve congested northern Virginia highways could provide overdue relief in specific areas, but it is unlikely to have the necessary lasting impact on the overburdened road network, groups studying the issue said.

Although the proposed road improvements were welcomed by highway advocacy groups such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance and the Greater Washington Board of Trade, both said the bonds would do little to address the area's most pressing needs, including replacing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and widening the Capital Beltway.

The Board of Trade estimates the area needs as much as $1 billion a year for 20 years to pay primarily for roads and bridges.

"One hundred million dollars to do spot improvements is the best we could hope for this year in the General Assembly," Bob Chase, spokesman for the transportation alliance, told The Washington Post. "But next year, we have to raise our sights."

The Washington area has the nation's second-worst traffic congestion, trailing only Los Angeles. It is expected to get worse as outer D.C. suburbs like Loudoun County continue to develop rapidly.

The two most ambitious undertakings to be financed by the new borrowing, which still needs final legislative approval and the signature of Gov. Jim Gilmore, are the widening of sections of Route 123 and Route 7, two main regional commuter arteries. Although both projects are within Fairfax County, they could primarily benefit residents of Prince William and Loudoun counties commuting to Fairfax jobs.