Fairfax $100 million transportation bond referendum

[PotomacCyclist]

http://wamu.org/news/14/10/28/how_would_fairfaxs_100m_transportation_bond_referendum_be_spent

The money would be used for a combination of infrastructure projects that would improve travel for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

The Reston Citizens Association has been critical of Fairfax transportation policy but says that it supports the bond. However, their VP uses that old ridiculous “war on cars” hyperbole when discussing the bond. At least they support the bond. Maybe eventually they will understand that multimodal planning isn’t actually a “war on cars” or a “brutal counter attack on cars” either. As far as I’m aware of, no local, state or federal government agency has ever launched a military offensive or counteroffensive against a car driver (unless it’s during a hot pursuit and the driver just robbed a bank or is putting others in immediate danger by driving through crowded areas at high speed or firing weapons). WABA has never launched a military or paramilitary campaign against a car driver either, unless I’ve missed something very big.

“I don’t think we would support a brutal counter attack on cars. It is clear that we do need cars at the moment and it is going to be a long term process to change from car-based suburbs to those that are more urbanized,” said John Hanley, vice president of the Reston Citizens Association, which represents 55,000 residents. “The county badly needs infrastructure improvements.”

Drivers kill 90 people a day, every day, in the U.S. Who is engaging in warfare?

Topic

[lordofthemark]

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.

[mstone]

This reminded me I need to go vote. Early and often!

[Birdstrike]

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.

[VikingMariner]

I have some swamp land if anyone would like to buy it. PM me please.

[ShawnoftheDread]

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.

[Terpfan]

@ShawnoftheDread 98303 wrote:

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.

My first thought too. You want to use county money to send me a notice that’s hinting I vote yes and then you only tell me of bike projects in an area I never really go to? Kind of useless.

The full list didn’t impress me much either:

Bike and Trail Improvements ($6.5 million)

They include developing new bicycle facilities, constructing trails, adding bicycle parking, and enhancing accessibility.

Wakefield Chapel Rd Walkway/Bike Lanes
Lake Braddock Drive Road Diet
Burke VRE Connector Ph. IV
Cross County Trail Upgrades
Burke Road Bike Lanes
West Ox Road Trail
Route 50 Trail
Elm St/Dolley Madison Blvd Improved Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing
Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station/VRE Enhanced Bicycle Parking
Government Center Area Bicycle Demonstration Project
Northern Virginia Community College Medical Education Campus, Springfield
Vienna Metrorail Station Area Bicycle Connectivity Improvements
Westmoreland Street On-Road Bike Lanes
Westmoreland Street/Rosemont Drive
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond/projectlist.htm

Since I live in southern FFX, basically none of these do much to help me. Extra parking at Springfield Metro? Yep, I would just ride to Hunting. I swear my section of the county gets diddly squat. We got one sort of path along Ft. Hunt road between the library and Quander. And then that’s it. I can’t even get my Supervisor to ever write back to me, sigh.

[lordofthemark]

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.”

[MRH5028]

Semi-Related article: Fairfax, hub of traffic, adopts master plan for bikes

All of this is good news for Fairfax, which has lagged behind Arlington and Alexandria in terms of bike infrastructure. It may not be everything we want, but it is a large step in the right direction. A lot of truth in this quote: ‘ “Fairfax is competing with Arlington, Alexandria and the District for companies and for young professionals, and those young professionals don’t necessarily want to get in their cars and go places,” said Bruce Wright, chairman of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling.’

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@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]

@Terpfan 98339 wrote:

Since I live in southern FFX, basically none of these do much to help me. Extra parking at Springfield Metro? Yep, I would just ride to Hunting. I swear my section of the county gets diddly squat. We got one sort of path along Ft. Hunt road between the library and Quander. And then that’s it. I can’t even get my Supervisor to ever write back to me, sigh.

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.

[Terpfan]

@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]

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

I hope the Wakefield Chapel Rd. project involves replacing the bike lane and extending it past the college (I doubt very much they’ll try to extend it on the other end). I don’t think it’s been replaced since it was first marked, even though the roadway has been several times. I’m about 5 mph slower in the bike lane than in the main lane.

[worktheweb]

@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.

[lordofthemark]

I beleive the bond issues includes funds for (badly needed) sidewalks on Columbia Pike and on Little River Turnpike in Mason District which is hardly the most affluent district in Fairfax, but DOES have a very active and influential supervisor (though in the past some considered Mason somewhat neglected)

Here is a map of the projects – it looks like they are distributed across the County

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond/transporation-bond-map.jpg

[mstone]

@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.

[Author]

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