Dear Metro Residents,

Please find a copy of a note below which I sent to our elected representatives regarding our opposition to the beltway expansion/HOT project with a list of actions we intend to take and the reasons for those actions.  Please email (in the sidebar), call, or write your elected leaders to voice your opposition to this project. Please forward this email to your HOA, Bike group, Association, Club, etc to better inform our neighbors.  You will find convenient “forward”, “unsubscribe”, “update”, and “join our mailing list” buttons.  Our goal is to become user-friendly and transparent in our public efforts. 

Best Regards,

Brent Reynolds

 

If you wish to email our elected leaders as a group simply copy and paste:

jim.kolb@mail.house.gov,

pierce.homer@governor.virginia.gov,

melanie.roberts@governor.virginia.gov,

vasenate35@aol.com,

vwatts@erols.com,

barbara.reese@governor.virginia.gov,

chrisespinoza@mail.house.gov,

jpetersen@smillaw.com,

braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov,

zack.fields@fairfaxcounty.gov

info@davidbulova.com

 

Dear Elected Leaders,

Since I have worked with many of you and truly respect your efforts in the public forum, I want to inform you of our efforts to delay the beltway widening/HOT project.  

In collaboration with the following groups, we plan an extensive campaign to delay the HOT lanes:  FABB, Coalition for Smarter Growth, GMU, NVCC, WABA, the Sierra Club, Piedmont Environmental Council, and affected HOA’s and civic associations.  As a courtesy and to make our efforts transparent, I wanted to make you aware of the following actions we are taking and our reasons for wanting to delay this project.

ACTIONS:

1.  Gather support via an on-line petition.

2.  Review the existing EIS and Transportation Conformity Analysis to determine if the emissions for the project exceed the State Implementation Plan.  The Conformity Analysis should be re-done if VDOT funding has not been allocated.  It also appears that under NEPA there was not sufficient time for public comment and the HOT lanes were not included as an option in the original EIS.  

3.  Engage the media.

4.  Ensure environmental concerns are addressed properly for air quality, water runoff, and soil pollution, sound thresholds in neighborhoods, and ensure we mitigate the negative affects on communities of building more roads.

 

5. Review the Virginia PPTA legislation. Has Fluor Transurban and the state adhered to the law in negotiating this deal?

If we determine the process or contracts have been compromised our next step will be to file lawsuits in an Administrative Court and Federal Circuit Court.  

 

REASONS FOR OUR ACTIONS: 

• BELTWAY WIDENING – TOO MANY QUESTIONS, TOO LITTLE PUBLIC INFORMATION

We object to the secretive nature of the Public-Private Partnership negotiations between the Commonwealth of Virginia and private consortiums.  The HOT lanes project gives away public property and 75 years of expensive tolling to private corporations that have arranged minimal risk and a guarantee of profits while leaving the public only 30 days to comment on the design.  We believe all PPTA projects should be subject to FOIA so the public can stay informed. 

 

• WITH SKY-ROCKETING GAS PRICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IS THIS REALLY THE INVESTMENT WE SHOULD BE MAKING? 

In this plan, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have been ignored at a time when visionary states, cities and communities are undergoing a fundamental shift to common-sense transit and smarter growth solutions.  Toxic pollutant hotspots next to highways have been shown to create elevated danger for nearby communities, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory disorders.    Trees that buffer Fairfax neighborhoods are already being cut down. The massive High Occupancy Toll (HOT) highway project will create a canyon of asphalt and additional toxic air pollution through Fairfax neighborhoods.  It lacks vision, ignores the need to reduce oil consumption and is contrary to the future needs of Northern Virginia and the nation.  

We need to spend this money on mass transit and not single occupant auto solutions.  

 

• WHY DID THEY SHORTCUT THE PUBLIC ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS AND ALTERNATIVES?

The Virginia Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) has undermined a full and fair analysis of alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).   What is the projected increase in traffic from today and how will this affect the EIS and SIP budget or the Transportation Conformity Analysis.  Do these need to be revised to match current projections.  

• IS THIS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE PUBLIC?

Virginia must now pay $420 million and the citizens of Virginia are guaranteeing a $600 million federal loan.  The private contractors — Fluor and Transurban of Australia will receive most of the revenues for 75 years. In exchange, the companies will be putting up only 17.5% of the total cost of the project.  We were told the public would put up no funds.  Is this a public private “win-win” partnership?

If you would like to support us or have any comments or thoughts please communicate directly with me.  

 

Brent Reynolds

reynoldsbrent@mac.com

571.214.9068

 

Chairman Braddock District Council Transportation Task Force

Chairman Trails and Sidewalks Committee, Fairfax County

Legislative Co-Chair Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable

President Ravensworth Farm Civic Association

Secretary Airports Advisory Committee, Fairfax County

CASA