A few years ago the Southeastern Expressway died an untimely death when the City of Chesapeake nixed their portion of the project. Recently the project has resurfaced with hints of possible success this time around.
The Southeastern Expressway would connect I-264, near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, with I-64 at Dominion Boulevard. The road would cut through what is now heavily developed suburbia with important stops at Oceana and Dam Neck Roads. Anyone who has traveled the route from Deep Creek to the Oceanfront will well understand that this road would not only cut an extreme amount of time from the Chesapeake to Oceana commute, but it would also relieve a great deal of congestion on both I-64 and I-264. The proposed parkway would siphon off tourists heading from the south to the oceanfront and also Virginia Beach residents headed to the Outer Banks. The commute for Currituck county, NC residents working in Virginia Beach would become a more pleasant one.
Is there anyone who wouldn’t profit from the addition of this roadway? Of course we will be presented with arguments against the project due to its adverse affect on the environment and wildlife. Although those arguments have merit, some sacrifice must be made for progress. The cities will be required to replace destroyed wetlands. What better place to add grassy open areas than as a buffer zone around our valued Oceana Master Jet Base.
How will the project be funded? Tidewater residents have already soundly defeated a sales tax referendum to fund this and other road projects. I completely agree with this decision by the electorate. It is the users who should pay for road improvements.
My vote is for tolls and a gasoline tax increase. How many of us who have spent hours stuck in traffic between Hampton and Richmond would not gladly toss a few dollars into a toll bin to avoid the loss of our valuable time? Allow the drivers who benefit from the road to make a substantial contribution to its construction.
A secondary funding source should be the reform of VDOT. Require more efficiency from that department and their chosen contractors. Please – no more programmable roads signs and new interstate rest areas until our highway needs are met!
So I say, “Yes!” to the Southeastern Expressway. Its a road whose time has come.