--Senate Committee Kills Measure to Widen I-64 in New Kent and Henrico Counties-- The Senate Finance Committee defeated House Bill 6055 which included a provision mandating VDOT to issue requests for proposals under the Public-Private Transportation Act for the widening of Interstate Route 64 from Route 199 in James City County to exit 200 at Interstate Route 295.
"Widening of this portion of I-64 would have been particularly beneficial to residents of the 97th District who reside in Sandston, Highland Springs and New Kent. These residents frequently travel this section of I-64 and welcome congestion relief additional lanes would provide," said Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville).
The measure also contained regional components to address the transportation needs of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Under the proposal as amended, and supported by Delegate Peace, Hampton Roads would have received up to $300 million per year in transportation funding produced by 30% of the increased economic growth at the public and private ports in Hampton Roads. Northern Virginia would have received up to $600 million per year from 30% of the increased economic growth at the Dulles and Reagan National airports. Neither region would have been affected by increased taxes or fees.
Responding to growing maintenance and construction funding needs, House Republicans alternatively proposed creative and targeted measures designed to address transportation in a fiscally prudent manner. Unfortunately, the Senate of Virginia rejected nearly each piece of the responsible House plan.
"We were working hard for fiscally responsible ways to address various funding issues. I had hoped for bipartisan cooperation, but instead House Republicans were the only ones offering legislation to meet the regional needs of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads without statewide increases in taxes and fees. I am disappointed that Senate Democrats killed this measure as it would have improved a major artery in the 97th District," said Peace.