The Techway is Alive - Beware the Sales Tax

"My sense is we'll need another river crossing. I believe there will be another crossing."
   -- Governor Mark Warner on WTOP

"Warner Promises Study for New Bridge -- Delay Could Protect Support for N.Va. Tax Increase Referendum on Transportation"
   -- Washington Post Headline

Sales Tax Cash Will Help Fund the Techway
1) The sales tax would generate $2.75 billion for specific projects and at least an additional $2.25 billion in unallocated cash that could be used for any project in Northern Virginia.

2) Congressman Davis and Congressman Moran urged Governor Warner to reopen study of the "Techway" with money earmarked in the Virginia 6-Year transportation plan, and the Governor has now reserved $400,000 for this while cutting truly necessary projects.

3) Governor Warner reiterated his opinion, during a WTOP interview, that a "Techway" bridge is needed. At the same time the Governor insisted that we not "confuse the voters" by talking about the "Techway" between now and the November 5th referendum.

4) The Virginia Department of Transportation is proceeding with a study of a Western Transportation Corridor which could run anywhere through eastern Loudoun. The data could also be used to support the "techway" in Fairfax.

5) A new Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), dominated by Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, and by appointees of the Governor will receive $5 billion in sales tax funds and will be able to approve and fund the "techway." Smarter growth jurisdictions like Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria, will be outvoted. RTA bylaws specifically prevent another jurisdiction from "vetoing" a project not in their jurisdiction.

6) Maryland's continued opposition to a bridge crossing is in danger of crumbling under pressure from the developer lobby. They are pushing the same initiatives to get the bypasses built, including a Regional Transportation Authority and a sales tax increase. They are also looking to unseat all "techway" opponents on the Montgomery Council.

The Bottom Line - We Need to Oppose the Sales Tax
It will be very difficult to stop the "techway" once $5 billion dollars is made available for transportation. We urge all members of your communities to stick together in opposition to the sales tax increase and the Outer Beltway (both "techway" and "western bypass").

With Your Help, We Can Help You - Funding, Letters to the Editor, Phone Calls, and Flyers are all going to be important. Contact Nicola Wood at the Coalition if you can help.

Contributed by the Coalition for Smarter Growth