SUMMARY:  During the period 1981-1992, the Board of Supervisors asked Fairfax County residents to approve a total of $550 million in transportation bonds in six separate referendums. However, in the next eleven years, 1993-2003, not a single transportation bond was proposed by the Board, and the traffic problem worsened substantially. Finally, in 2004, a bond was offered, but less than $50 million was for roads. The quality of life for our citizens requires that the Board change its priority and re-emphasize bond funding of transportation needs.

There are many reasons why the residents of Fairfax County continue to experience ever worsening traffic congestion on their local roads. One of the more obvious reasons now appears to be the adoption by our County leaders some 12 years ago of a policy of not seeking voter approval for new transportation bonds for new roads and needed improvements to existing roads. Good roads cost money; they do not build themselves, and like it or not, public transit can only be a small part of the solution.

During the period 1981 through 1992, the voters of Fairfax County on six separate occasions were asked to approve the issuance of some $550 million in transportation bonds. In 1981 there was a $30 million bond referendum, in 1982 a $25 million bond referendum, in 1985 a $135 million bond referendum, in 1988 a $150 million bond referendum, in 1990 a $80 million bond referendum, and in 1992 a $130 million bond referendum. Ninety percent of the funding from these bond referendums was for the building of primary and secondary roads in Fairfax County.

But, for reasons unknown, it all came to a halt in 1993. There was certainly no initiative from Richmond to discourage such local bond referendums. The decision to stop was never explained, and perhaps the County leaders were unaware that they had even abandoned this successful approach. But they had. The record speaks for itself and the unpleasant results of that policy are now evident throughout the County.

Finally, in 2004, the County conducted a $165 million bond referendum for transportation, but of this amount $110 million went to fund capital improvements for the Metro system, leaving only $55 million for roads. Of this $55 million, $5 million went for sidewalks and trails. Of the remaining $50 million, some went for a parking garage at the Burke Center VRE station and some went for bus shelters and services on Richmond Highway.

During the 1993-2003 period of transportation inaction in Fairfax County, the leadership of Prince William County was taking a proactive role, approving the issuance of some $147.3 million in transportation bonds. In 1994, there was a $17.9 million bond referendum, in 1998 a $42.7 million bond referendum, and in 2000, an $86.7 million bond referendum – a significant commitment to local transportation funding considering that Prince William's tax base is quite a bit smaller than that of Fairfax County.

Since 1992, it appears that Fairfax County's priority has significantly changed from addressing desperately needed road improvements to constructing administrative buildings. Since 1992, $160 million has been allocated for an administration building, $150 million for a police building, $60 million for a South County government center, and $40 to $50 million for the renovation of the supervisors' offices.

Today's traffic jams mean that more and more citizens are not arriving home in time to have dinner with their families, to help their children with their homework, or just to spend more time with them. It's my view that the quality of life of our citizens should be more important than nice new buildings for the bureaucrats. I think it's time for the Fairfax County Supervisors to rethink their priorities!

Copyright Forward Fairfax and Jack Herrity, 2005