Q&A - Governor candidates on transportation

Q. What should be Hampton Roads’ top four transportation priorities and how would you pay for them?

Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe or Brian Moran? On June 9, Virginians will go to the polls to choose a Democrat to oppose Republican Bob McDonnell in the November gubernatorial election. Regardless of who is sent to Richmond, the next occupant of the Governor’s Mansion will sit down to a full plate. Among the issues that will shape his agenda – and the future of Virginia and Hampton Roads – none looms larger than transportation, jobs and energy. The Pilot posed questions about each to all four candidates. Answers on the other issues will be posted in later installments.

Creigh Deeds (D)

Deeds has served in the General Assembly since 1992. The Bath County Democrat is an attorney and former prosecutor who narrowly lost a bid for attorney general in 2005.

HAMPTON ROADS can pave the way for job creation with real investments in transportation. We’ve missed out on enormous opportunities for economic development across the commonwealth because of failure to invest in transportation.

The Port of Virginia could be the busiest port on the East Coast, but we have neglected to sufficiently invest in the infrastructure to support it. The future of this region is inextricably linked with our future investment in transportation. However, many of the proposals, including port privatization, fail to address the fundamental, long-term necessity to invest in a statewide system of transportation. We also have a moral imperative to act quickly because, as it stands now, if there were a major hurricane or security threat, thousands of Virginians could be stranded.

First, we can create new jobs by making investments in mass transit, including light rail, bus rapid transit and high-speed rail from Hampton Roads to D.C. This will take cars off the road and save money. Second, we can ease congestion immediately by increasing the capacity of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Downtown Tunnel. Third, we must improve the U.S. 460 corridor by upgrading interstate connections and expanding access throughout South Hampton Roads. And lastly, we need to make major investments in I-64 and I-264.

I’m running for governor to build consensus, not dictate; therefore, I am not wedded to a single source of funding for my transportation agenda. I’m the most prepared to bring people together from all parts of the state to finally provide real investment in transportation.

Terry McAuliffe (D)

McAuliffe was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001-05. He lives in McLean and has authored a book about his work as a fundraiser for prominent national Democrats.

OUR TRANSPORTATION infrastructure undergirds our entire economy. But we have a problem in Virginia: We are running out of money. By 2018, we will no longer have funds available for road construction.

Therefore, when the economy recovers, we must have an honest conversation about revenue for our infrastructure needs.

In the meantime, we need to refocus our policy decisions and funding priorities. For too long, we have focused almost solely on roads. We do have to address construction and maintenance, but if we are to become more efficient, more respectful of our environment and get people where they need to be, we must start thinking differently. Our priority needs to be intermodal forms of transportation.

As governor I will make high-speed rail a top priority. We have an opportunity, thanks to President Obama, to construct high-speed rail that connects Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Hampton Roads. We must take advantage.

We also have to focus on mass transit. Projects such as Norfolk’s light rail system are crucial to our transportation future.

And we need to expand the Port of Virginia. When the Panama Canal opens its third set of locks in 2015, ships will be able to come directly to the East Coast. Virginia can be the benefactor by building up our port and creating the infrastructure and capacity around it that will allow our economy to grow.

Brian Moran (D)

Moran represented Alexandria in the House of Delegates for 13 years and served as chairman of the Democratic caucus. He is an attorney and a former prosecutor.

TODAY, VIRGINIA’S families spend countless hours stuck in traffic, missing family dinners, soccer practices and other important events. Transportation problems cost the average Virginian $1,000 a year in car repair s and gas . I am running for governor to fight for these families.

As the only candidate who has raised a family, run a small business and created jobs in one of our most congested regions, I know how traffic affects our families and economy. I have fought for Virginia’s families as a prosecutor and legislative leader, working alongside Govs. Warner and Kaine. I am the only candidate who stood behind Gov. Kaine’s comprehensive transportation solution that focused on mass transit and rail. As governor, I will fight for a comprehensive solution that is statewide, sufficient and sustainable.

We can create a 21st century transportation system that will jump-start our economy, put Virginians back to work, protect our environment and ensure our safety . We can create more than 35,000 jobs by investing in our infrastructure and ensure that the Port of Hampton Roads continues to drive this region’s economic engine. We can create high-speed rail and expand existing rail and mass transit, such as light rail across Hampton Roads, to move people and goods more efficiently. Most importantly, we can create a transportation system that gets Virginia’s families home to the dinner table. If you elect me as your next governor, no one will work harder to make these investments.

Bob McDonnell (R)

McDonnell previously served as attorney general and as a Republican state delegate representing Virginia Beach. He is an attorney and a former prosecutor.

I RAISED MY family here in Hampton Roads for 21 years. I know what it’s like to sit in traffic on I-264 . Hampton Roads is an economic engine for Virginia. To create good jobs and better support business and the military, we must improve transportation .

As governor, a top priority will be to upgrade U.S. 460 from Suffolk to Petersburg to a new limited-access highway. We must have another hurricane evacuation route and make it easier to get new businesses into Hampton Roads. It will allow us to capitalize on opportunities for growth at the port. As a legislator, I got several bills passed to move the 460 project along faster.

We also need to bring economically feasible high-speed rail from Washington, D.C., to Richmond to Hampton Roads. We need to widen I-64 and improve the water crossings with a version of the third crossing. These projects will reduce congestion, create jobs and increase economic activity.

There are a variety of funding mechanisms that can be utilized. I will leverage our resources more effectively, create more public-private partnerships, implement much-needed budget prioritization, use our Triple A bond rating and use innovative ideas such as dedicating most of the new revenues from offshore drilling for oil and natural gas to fund essential transportation investments.

I will soon unveil specific proposals. Transportation, like all policy priorities in my administration, will be carried out with economic development, job creation and quality of life as guiding principles.