News and Views

VBT : Northern Virginia/Hampton Roads Funding Model: Time for Replication

Prior to the passage of HB 2313, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads recognized the proposed state funding for transportation would not meet the demand for improvements in their areas. Legislators took it upon themselves to fix this problem by adding language to the bill, which allocated specific funding for both areas.

HB 2313 included a slight increase in the local sales tax in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, with revenues committed solely to transportation improvements. The result: Hundreds of millions of dollars annually are pouring into Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to advance transportation improvements.

The increased sales tax has generated around a half billion dollars a year in new transportation revenues for the two areas, effectively securing funding for all types of transportation projects. For example, the widening of I-64 in Hampton Roads would not have been possible without this funding model.

Other Virginia districts like Richmond and Fredericksburg have an opportunity to replicate this successful funding model with legislative help. The General Assembly should consider approving regional tax models to be repeated in these and other regions of the commonwealth. 



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