Richmond, Va. - Virginia's primary, secondary and urban road systems received $147.4 million less in state funding allocations this past fiscal year (FY 2006) than they did 10 years ago (FY 1996). This is despite the fact that nearly 70 percent of the total miles Virginians drive are on these roads.

            According to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) data comparing primary, secondary and urban state formula allocations, in FY 1996 Virginia's primary, secondary and urban roads received about $520.7 million in funding. In FY 2006, these roads received $373.3 million, or more than 28 percent less state funding than 10 years ago.

            During this same 10-year period, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association estimates that highway construction material costs have increased 50 percent. Some other highway construction costs have increased even more.  For example, according to VDOT data, in 1996 it cost approximately $15,800 to pave one lane mile of a primary road; last year the cost increased to about $43,500.  

            Based on the increased cost of highway construction and materials, and the current state funding allocations for the state's primary, secondary and urban road systems, an additional $408 million for local road funding would be needed this year just to give the Commonwealth the same purchasing power it had in 1996.

            "Many of Virginia's counties are growing in population, the number of vehicle miles traveled throughout the state is significantly increasing and transportation construction costs are escalating," said Mike Edwards, deputy director for legislative affairs for the Virginia Association of Counties. "Simultaneously, counties are experiencing, yet again, a sharp decline in sustainable funding for state transportation projects. This has led to the delay or elimination of many of the much-needed capacity and safety improvement projects," he said.

            "The majority of Virginians drive these roads every day, but unfortunately these roads do not lend themselves to tolls or public-private partnerships, and in many cases they don't qualify for federal funding," said Jeff Southard, Virginians for Better Transportation (VBT) coordinator and Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance executive vice president.

            "This is an issue that affects all Virginians," said Bev Fitzpatrick, VBT executive council co-chairman, Virginia Municipal League Transportation Policy Committee chairman, Virginia Museum of Transportation executive director and past vice-mayor of the City of Roanoke.

            "These roads are used by local businesses, farm vehicles, school buses, tourists, and residents who log millions of vehicle miles on them each year. Yet, many of these roads have inadequate shoulders, deteriorating pavement, structurally deficient bridges, and curves that don't meet engineering standards," Fitzpatrick said. "This situation continues to worsen and is disastrous for our local governments, communities and citizens."

            The Virginia General Assembly plans to reconvene in September to further discuss transportation funding. On behalf of VBT's 850 supporters who want long-term, sustainable multimodal funding solutions, we urge our state legislators to join in an effort to provide a funding program that meets the long-term transportation needs of the Commonwealth.