York Calls Input Session on Transportation Funding

Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott K. York has planned a public input session at 7 p.m. Monday, June 10, in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg to take comments about the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s proposed FY14 project list. Similar meetings are being held in other NVTA member jurisdictions throughout June.
York, Loudoun’s representative on the panel, has expressed concern with how fast many NVTA members wish to move forward.

“I’m kind of concerned at the very rapid pace some members of the NVTA are trying to push in terms of organization matters,” York said during the Loudoun Board of Supervisors last week. “The fact of the matter is we were not prepared for this bill. We are still not prepared, but they are itching to spend money yesterday.”

In particular, York said, “I have a real heartburn” with the idea of the group issuing debt, rather than paying cash for projects.

NVTA was created several years ago, but has never been given a funding source, which the Virginia General Assembly provided this year.
An overview of the transportation bill and a discussion of the proposed projects will be presented during York’s meeting Monday. The proposed Loudoun County projects designated for funding assistance so far include the following:

• Belmont Ridge Road between Portsmouth Boulevard and Hay Road – FY14 Design/Build Start
• Route 28 Hot Spot Improvements – Loudoun Segment (Sterling Boulevard and the Dulles Toll Road) – FY14 Construction Start
• (Leesburg) Edwards Ferry Road at the Route 15 Leesburg Bypass Grade Separation – FY14 Design Start
• Leesburg Park and Ride – FY14 ROW and Construction Complete
• 2 New Transit Buses – FY14 Revenue Service

Anyone interested in speaking at the Loudoun County meeting may sign up in advance by calling 703-777-0200. Advanced sign-ups will be taken until noon. Speakers may also sign up in person at the meeting.

The Commonwealth’s new landmark transportation bill is expected to bring $1.9 billion in new transportation funding to the region during the next six years. It will be allocated through the NVTA and Northern Virginia localities.

The complete list of projects and detailed information about them can be found at: www.TheNoVaAuthority.org. For Loudoun County-related information and updates, visit www.loudoun.gov/nvta.