The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The state will pump $27.3 million in stimulus money to Virginia Beach, reviving several road projects that had been delayed.
The federal funds replace some of what the Virginia Department of Transportation cut because of state budget shortfalls this past year, said Dave Hansen, a deputy city manager.
"It was fair to reinstate the VDOT money that it could," Hansen said.
The money will go toward expanding Princess Anne Road, by the courthouse, and extending Nimmo Parkway. The construction of Nimmo is now only two years behind schedule, Hansen said.
The city received $10.6 million in stimulus funds earlier this year, to be used to build new ramps connecting London Bridge Road to Interstate 264.
"We're happy to have it," Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said. "It's definitely not enough."
State Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer agreed.
VDOT had to cancel $3 billion worth of projects in recent years because of budget shortfalls, Homer said.
"Absent the stimulus money, there's no way these could get done," he said.
The Commonwealth Trans-portation Board will approve the list of Virginia Beach's projects, along with $17.8 million for the Norfolk International Terminals central rail yard, at its meeting on Thursday.
With this additional transportation money, Virginia Beach, including the city's schools, will have received $98.3 million in stimulus funds so far.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222- 5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Laskin Road and 31st Street
I hope no money whatsoever goes to Laskin Road. I love living in the North End, and if bad roads will keep the driveway-encroaching locals and annoying tourists out of my neighborhood, I'll be happy to drive over Laskins potholes every day. Go ahead and dump money on Birdneck or London Bridge or wherever the heck you wanna dump it. But PLEASE don't give North End improved roads..as a matter of fact, I'd be happy with sand roads, a 20 mph speed limit, and a cul-de-sac where Atlantic turns into Shore.
Collective Ignorance
The sum total of the comments in this forum reveal a degree of stupidity and misplaced anger that is appalling. If the General Assembly had met its obligations to provide funding to the city to construct new projects, everyone herein would be happy. Yet we, collectivley, have elected republican delegates to represent us in the General Assembly, and most specifically the House of Delegates, and while they say they support transportation funding, they will not challenge their party's leadership which has killed every conceivable method to re-start transportation funding. How dumb can we be? Elect republican delegates, get no funding from the Commonwealth. And for them, these posts that condemn the city council are music to their ears for they know the blame really rests with them. Or more appropriately, with us for returning them to office to do the same think over and over again. Don't complain, do something. Elect new delegates to replace the republican gridlock.
Once again. When are they
Once again. When are they going to start fixing the roads the correct way? We have concrete patched with asphalt. This is exteremly dangerous and wastes more money. The two materials are very diffrent, they do not bond to each other and expand and contract at diffent rates. That is why 264 has speed bumps all summer and depressions all winter. That is also why the potholes WE paid to have fixed a few months ago have to be fixed again. Always the answer for VB, throw money at it now without thinking so we can throw money at it later to keep it up. Just grab the ball and run, it doesn't matter that you are heading towards the wrong goal, we will buy it too when we get there.
Kempsville has always been
Kempsville has always been an after thought to the city. The nearest Fire / rescue station to that area is company 19 and building the extension would reduce the response times into that area significantly. It becomes a public safety issue. The civic leagues in that area should be all over it.
turn it down, we'll do it on our own in good time!
My goodness. Now we're in the ugly position to be blackmailed into some future regulation compliance by the federal government. We're being pulled down into the abyss of debt all for the sake of a few "feel good" projects we could honestly be very patient with. Gotta have it now at all costs. Tim Kaine then looks like he's helping the state, then later when we vote out the Democrats, the Republicans get the blackeye when the debt comes due i.e. George Bush in 2000-2002, and again right after the Dems took congress and ignored Bush's plea that the banking sytem was in peril (aka Barney Frank's ignorant statement as the new finance committee chair, it's all good).
Like the old metaphor of herding wild pigs into submission.
More waste....
Of course, definitely widen up the Princess Anne Road near the Courthouses...after all it's always for the City Officials/Employees. Why don't they just move their derrieres down to the VA BEACH TOWN CENTER where the city helped build this ridiculous monstrosity with a lot of taxpayer money?
In the meantime a lot of roads in VA BEACH are in need of repair...it's amazing how many potholes there are and we're not even in the Snowbelt. It's pathetic, but this is how the "'ole boy network" works...very sad.
Lynnhaven Parkway
What about the extension of Lynnhaven Parkway? When we moved here in 1981, we were told that an extension from Volvo Parkway through Charlestown and Brigadoon to Lynnhaven Mall area was going to be done within the next few years. It is now 2009 and only Chesapeake has done its part. What happened to those plans? Is this part of Kempsville going to continue being the "red-headed stepchild" of Virginia Beach?
Oh, good - we're relying on
Oh, good - we're relying on federal government!
Go Figure
Surprise surprise, Gomer! More of my wasted tax money going toward more of nothing that will benefit me whatsoever. It sure would be nice to see a little of this money go towards something WORTHWHILE and MEANINGFUL to most of us that really need it! I'm talking about an expansion of the HRBT. Everyone turns their heads away from Hampton Roads' BIGGEST TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE!
money wisely spent ?
A few months ago, VDOT was crying that they had no money to maintian the existing roads and lights along the highways.
I would think maintaining what we have would be better than making new roads.
Wait until winter when potholes get bigger and are not being fixed.
VDOT will cry the blues that it has no money for repairs.
They will either cut services/jobs or try and get some new money that doesn't exist. Basic economic principals are being ignored in lieu of headlines for Politicians.
WAke up people and look ahead for a change.