In Ashburn, Kaine Tries to Ease Transportation Concerns

By Sandhya Somashekhar (Contact)

Originally published at 12:03 a.m., April 1, 2008
Updated at 2:07 p.m., April 1, 2008

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) last night sought to reassure Loudoun County residents that state lawmakers are working hard to address the region's transportation problems, despite a series of setbacks that threaten to worsen gridlock in Northern Virginia.

During a wide-ranging discussion in Ashburn that also touched on energy policy, mental health reform and other topics, Kaine told about 200 area residents that he plans to convene the General Assembly this spring to fill a $600 million hole in state transportation funding.

The gap was created earlier this year when the legislature repealed unpopular abusive-driver fees and the Virginia Supreme Court struck down a plan to raise about $300 million annually for transportation projects in Northern Virginia through taxes levied by a regional authority. Loudoun was slated to receive millions of dollars in improvements to Route 7, Route 28 and Route 50, among other projects.

Kaine also said he has not given up on a proposed extension of Metrorail to Dulles International Airport and two other stops in Loudoun. The project is in doubt after federal authorities announced they may rescind their offer of about $900 million in funding.

"We're not at a point where I can announce anything yet, but I can say we have been diligently working around the table, sleeves rolled up" in meetings with U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and her staff, Kaine said. "I am feeling very positive now about the discussions we've been having with Secretary Peters' office."

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Kaine Visits Ashburn

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Gov. Tim Kaine visits Ashburn as part of a series of town hall meetings he's conducting around the state. This was his first stop in Northern Virginia since the end of the session. The forum was at Farmwell Station Middle School. (Susan Biddle)

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Gov. Tim Kaine visits Ashburn as part of a series of town hall meetings he's conducting around the state. Here, Phil Lo Presti Sr., of Ashburn, asks a question regarding measures put in place to avoid incidents similar to last year's shootings at Virginia Tech. (Susan Biddle)

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Gov. Tim Kaine visits Ashburn as part of a series of town hall meetings he's conducting around the state. (Susan Biddle)

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Gov. Tim Kaine visits Ashburn as part of a series of town hall meetings he's conducting around the state. (Susan Biddle)

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The event at Farmwell Station Middle School was part of a series of town hall meetings Kaine has held around Virginia in recent weeks. Yesterday was his first stop in Northern Virginia, and his final stop is expected in Falls Church April 12.

The governor arrived ready for many questions about transportation. But much of the two-hour meeting focused on his support for a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant proposed for southwest Virginia. The Dominion Virginia Power plant, which has been opposed by environmentalists, won initial approval by the State Corporation Commission yesterday.

Several speakers also asked about a bill that passed the General Assembly allowing for 1.8 miles of power lines along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in western Loudoun to be installed underground. Kaine said that although the bill has yet to be vetted by his staff and arrive at his desk, he is likely to sign it.

Ellen Conners, 48, of Leesburg, said it makes sense that Kaine got so many questions about energy.

"It is a question of whether Virginia is going to be in the 19th Century or the 21st Century when it comes to energy," said Conners, a member of the Save the Trail group that opposes overhead lines along the W&OD trail. "Everyone is concerned about energy, and everyone understands it's a balance. But this is just the tip of the iceberg."

Kaine touted several successes during this year's state legislative session. Among them were changes to the state's mental health system, prompted by last year's shootings at Virginia Tech.

However, he acknowledged some failures as well. State lawmakers voted down a proposed ban on smoking in restaurants and other buildings, and they rejected legislation that would have required all sellers at gun shows to conduct background checks on their customers. Kaine had pushed hard for both proposals.

He also noted that there was some "unfinished business," including transportation. He said he expects lawmakers to agree at a special session on a bond package for renovations and new construction at the state's colleges and universities.

Tagged: Ashburn, budget, Gov. Tim Kaine, NVTA, schools

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