It was no surprise that the recently passed transportation spending bill included funds for Hampton Roads. After all, our needs are many. Although one could always hope, it didn’t seem reasonable that we could expect assistance for all our priority road projects. Therefore it was shocking to learn that Congress had offered funding in the amount of $10.8 million for a new I-64 interchange that leads to nowhere – a project that wasn’t listed on either Hampton Roads or VDOT’s long range transportation plan.
A closer look at the project, which would provide an expressway interchange between Indian River Road and Greenbriar Parkway, reveals that it would connect to a new CBN office/residential complex that is still in the planning stages. It would also provide an additional entrance to the CBN complex, which is already efficiently served by the Indian River Road exit.
Why would our so-called “leaders” choose to push a low priority project benefiting a private developer when there are so many more pressing local needs? The answer, of course, lies in the fact that the benefiting corporation’s roster includes highly partisan political contributors. Campaign promises of fair and equitable leadership appear to have desolved in the vat of pork barrel rewards.
Answers are not forthcoming from those who must have played a part in increasing the $1 million line item to $10.8 million. Members of our Congressional delegation all profess innocence or neglected to return the newspaper’s telephone calls. Are we surprised?
This funding choice amounts to nothing less than picking the pocket of taxpayers to benefit the wealthy and powerful. Its time for change next time you visit the ballot box Virginia! We need to return to a strong two party system to prevent such abuse of power.