Fairfax $100 million transportation bond referendum

Mr Di Caro is usually pretty good, but missed some context – the bond referendum is heavily geared towards pedestrian improvements (and to a lesser extent, bike improvements) because such improvements are excluded from funding by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which can only fund roads and congestion reduction focused mass transit. The NVTA money will dwarf this bond issue.

Perhaps Mr Hanley was aware of it and was expressing his approval for the NVTA road expenditures as showing there is no war on cars – if so while his point of view definitely reflects an agenda, its not an over the top one. If he is not aware of it (or is deliberately ignoring it) and is attempting to express pushback against the bond issue, that is indeed over the top (and very odd in that RCA supports the bond issue) In either case Mr Di Caro should have clarified – but even good transportation reporters have off days I suppose.

Agree with lordofthemark’s comment – ‘bicycle improvements’ seems like happy verbage thrown in to get the money by using politcally correct language. I got a mailer on the projects yesterday and there were only 2-3 bike improvements listed and they seemed very minor compared to what’s needed. Still, it’s a step in the right direction I guess and better than a stick in the eye.

In sum, it’s a $100 million proposed bond issuance. $78 million for pedestrian projects, $16 million for “roadway spot improvements,” and $6 million for bicycle projects.

The county’s mailing says there are 15 bicycle and trail projects, but only lists two of them: bike lanes and a mup by the Burke VRE station.

Just to note, some of the pedestrian projects will help cyclists. This is what FABB has said “Despite the small amount of funding for bike projects, we strongly support the bond referendum and urge you to support it as well.”

@lordofthemark 98341 wrote:

Just to note, some of the pedestrian projects will help cyclists. This is what FABB has said “Despite the small amount of funding for bike projects, we strongly support the bond referendum and urge you to support it as well.”

I would say, quite anecdotally, that they made an effort not to put items in the “bicycle projects” group, even if they would be a huge benefit for cyclists. It’s more about posturing and messaging to the naysayers.

@mstone 98356 wrote:

Well, fairfax is very tied to the supervisor system, and your supervisor wants to cut money spent on bikes, trails, parks, and basically anything that isn’t a new road for cars. That tends to mean less focus on those items in his district. We got moved into the springfield district a couple of years ago, and it’s sad seeing how much more support the people across the street (in our old district) get from their supervisor on this sort of issue. Unfortunately, that’s what your neighbors seem to be voting for.

I think I’m technically in Lee District. Either way, I wish there was more vocal response. My state representation, well at least the Delegate, tends to respond fairly quickly and actually to whatever I asked which is refreshing. Then again, I’m pretty sure he’s a cyclist too.

@ShawnoftheDread 98401 wrote:

Some if the pedestrian items are on Sherwood Hall and Ft. Hunt, terpfan. Might be useful to you.

Unless it is something new, the Sherwood Hall bike lanes are already done (I bike on them everyday).

South County always gets forgotten. Unfortunately the more affluent areas of the county seem to be better at getting improvements. When you think of the huge sums of money that get funneled into McLean, Tysons, Dulles, and Reston for projects, it boggles the mind how little actually gets done in the South. The board of supervisors is more interested in making a glittering metropolis by the malls and business parks of Tysons than maintaining and improving a place where thousands already live. The only place schools, infrastructure, and urban planning get funds is in the North. The only reason that Route 1 is getting expanded is that Moran got the money from the federal government in exchange for the Ft. Belvoir BRAC explosion. They at least have the foresight to reserve a right of way in the middle of that expansion for future transit, but that’s probably more Delegate Scott Surovell’s hard work than the board of supervisors. The whole situation is very frustrating.

@Terpfan 98400 wrote:

I think I’m technically in Lee District.

I had forgotten that springfield isn’t in the springfield district. One more thing I can hate about the fairfax district system. :rolleyes: And in that case I have no suggestions, because McKay is one of the more pro-bicycle supervisors.

Here’s the map if anyone missed it: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond/transporation-bond-map.jpg

I don’t know if it makes you feel better to say that things could be worse.