Vangie Williams is committed to reinvesting in VA-01, fixing transportation issues
One of the biggest gripes in the 1st District of Virginia is transportation. As bad as things are, what happens when one of the dozens of structurally deficient bridges finally gives out, leaving the average citizen unable to reasonably access work, daycare, and relatives?
A huge percentage of the 1st District depends on the interstate highway system to access high-paying jobs in the Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads areas. However, the entire district is boxed in by structurally deficient bridges. When traveling north, there are numerous sections of I-95 that boast structurally deficient bridges, most notably the sections going over US-17. That is more than 70,000 commuters affected on any given day.
If you are headed east, you might not make it any further than New Kent County where a structurally deficient section of I-64 passes over Good Hope Road. And, it’s not any better to the south where more than half a dozen bridges in and around Richmond would affect around 200,000 people if they were to go out.
My opponent, incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman, has done little to nothing to alleviate the problem. He sponsored the “Responsible Highway Investment Act” in 2008 and 2009, but this legislation never made it out of committee either time. It would have meant paying more taxes at the gas pump if it had passed.
But, that’s it. In 11 years, Wittman has only sponsored one bill relating to the 1st District’s transportation woes, and it didn’t even pass. Meanwhile, our infrastructure is crumbling. With a growing population in the region, we must stop piecemealing solutions and create a long-term plan that will reduce congestion and promote economic opportunities.
Instead of patching up one problem at a time, let’s figure out how our bridges, roads and waterways affect commerce in the community. What I’m proposing is a comprehensive transportation study that includes the entire I-95, I-295 and I-64 corridor, as well as the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. We need to find the most effective modes of transport for residents, businesses and visitors to get around the district.
Most transportation solutions rely on supply. We widen existing roads, build new roads, or supplement existing roads with pay-as-you-go express lanes. Unfortunately, as supply increases, demand follows within a few years.
We need a solution that can work on supply and demand simultaneously. So that means we can continue working on the numerous bridges in need of repair but also create solutions that allow people to take care of their business without driving at all. This requires we ensure that rural areas have access to broadband.
By reducing the demand on our roads, those that must travel are in a better situation to do so. As part of my broadband proposals, thousands of people in my district will be able to have greater access to information and infrastructure at the tip of their fingers. Imagine not travelling an hour round trip for a 20-minute follow-up with a doctor? Or being able to telecommute instead of having to work at the office. It also means young adults can get a world-class education without leaving home.
All of these things are possible.
My priority is to build an economy that works for everyone, and transportation plays a vital role in the economic development for our communities. Improved accessibility provides employment, added value and activity for businesses. It’s time the 1st District elected a leader who has made a firm commitment to infrastructure and rural broadband, not someone who only cares about it when it becomes trendy.
I am committed to reinvesting at home. Rob Wittman is committed to building ships outside our district that the United States Navy says it doesn’t want.
Where are your priorities?
Vangie Williams
Candidate for Congress
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Vangie Williams is a public servant and strategic planner who solves problems for our federal government. A real-world professional with 30 years of experience, Vangie is not a career politician who will put corporate interests above people. She is committed to an economy for everyone, healthy families and investing in our communities. Learn more about her vision to put people first at www.vangieforcongress.com.
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