"Driving" Money and Rest Stops

When I was a teenager my mom used to give me what she called "driving" money. A few bucks for gas and some snacks. I'd take road trips from my home in Virginia Beach to far off places like Surry County (Camp Chanco) and Richmond.

Fast forward, The Washington Post has three Virginia transportation stories. First there is the editorial about the County wanting more control (and money) over its roads. They chatted a little about the County becoming a City, but like most, realize that is just not going to happen. Then there is a front page story on how the economy has, in its own perverse way, has eased traffic gridlock across the country, except in the DC area. Yes, this is due to the fact that we have better economic conditions and we are very fortunate. But it also can be attributed to the fact that in Northern Virginia and regionally we have not made investments in our transportation infrastructure.

In Fairfax City we recently implemented, like other NoVa localities, a commercial surcharge specifically for transportation. It will allow us, through bonding, to invest $24 million for specific transportation projects. This money will help create smoother traffic patterns and spur economic development. And we are fortunate that as a City, unlike a county, we get money from the state for lane miles traveled. That's a big chunk of Fairfax City taxpayer money coming back home where it belongs.

Now for the final story: the state is closing a bunch of rest stops. These little shelters from the storm of the road are a saving grace for drivers. I've been to most of them, driving on 81, 66, 64 and other roads. Closing these is not smart. Yes, it might save a little money, but it will likely lead to more accidents, sleepy drivers and very upset parents looking for a place for their kids to go.

At the end of the day, if we are to fix our transportation problems it's going to require some more driving money.Does this mean we have to pay a little more? Reorganize spending priorities? Yes to both. But the alternatives are a lot bleaker.