~34 to 6 Bipartisan Vote Supports Governor’s Transportation Plan~ RICHMOND– The Virginia Senate passed SB 1446 today 34-6 supporting Governor Bob McDonnell’s $4 billion plan to expand and maintain Virginia’s transportation system. The plan will provide for the greatest investment in transportation in the Commonwealth in a generation. Governor McDonnell issued the following statement after the Senate’s bipartisan vote of support.
“With each new vote in the General Assembly recognizing the merits of our transportation program, we are moving closer to jumpstarting needed transportation projects that will reduce congestion, create jobs and open additional parts of the Commonwealth to economic development while creating a rail operating and capital fund to ensure the continuation of Virginia's passenger rail system.
This fiscally conservative plan leverages our available resources and bonding authority to expedite the important transportation improvements we need. It also saves taxpayers money by capitalizing on some of the best interest rates and construction bids in modern history.
This measured, prudent and responsible plan has been supported by nearly 50 cities, transportation and business organizations and groups, and was approved by the House of Delegates on Friday. Today the Senate has voted in support of the plan. We look forward to final passage of the measure by the entire General Assembly. Working in a bipartisan manner we are going to get new roads, bridges and mass transit projects started immediately, and our entire Commonwealth will benefit.”