The sales tax proposal would not only condemn the region to years of sprawl development and ever increasing traffic congestion, but each community would be hurt.

Arlington: A Wider I-66 Inside the Beltway

With the funding to start widening I-66 to 10 lanes outside the Beltway (I-495), widen the Beltway to 12 lanes and create a massive Springfield-like interchange at the Beltway and I-66, the pressure to widen I-66 inside the Beltway will be almost unstoppable.

Maryland widened I-270 from 6 to 12 lanes. The roadway filled up in just 8 years due to the development it sparked. We cannot reduce traffic without fundamental changes to where and how we grow.

Sales taxes collected in Arlington would go to fund these projects; funding for Arlington priorities is just a small part of the total.

The proposed project list shows that Arlington might receive $207.5 million out of $2.75 billion in earmarked bond funds - just 7.5%, even though the Virginia 2020 Transportation Plan showed some of the heaviest traffic and trip density near and inside the Beltway.

With 60% of the region's jobs projected to remain within 10 miles of D.C. in 2025, according to Council of Government data, Arlington would receive far too little and gain far too much traffic.