Not much hope for transportation at the General Assembly this year...

It's been a rough couple of years for local elected officials backing major construction projects to beef up Hampton Roads' fragile transportation network and no relief is on the horizon.

On Wednesday, regional planers held their monthly meeting in Chesapeake to discuss a number of priorities including disposal of solid waste and storm water runoff - but if was an off the cuff comment that pointed toward the General Assembly.

Newport News Major Joe Frank has been a consistent voice for transportation upgrades for years - and he's been outspoken about his frustration that state lawmakers haven't stepped up to fund local road priorities. On Wednesday, Frank attempted to read the tea leaves about this year's legislative session in Richmond.

"We don't expect - I don't think anyone expects - the legislature to do very much on transportation this year," Frank said. "But who knows?"

The odds are stacked against any major breakthroughs. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is entering his final year in the executive mansion, lawmakers in the House of Delegates are facing re-election in the fall, and at least three high profile players are eyeing the governor's office - and a major Democratic primary in June 2009 - with Del. Brian Moran, Sen. Creigh Deeds, Attorney Gen. Bob McDonnell and Terry McAuliffe all ramping up campaigns.

All that means you'll have a lot of people looking toward the campaign trail and the fundraising circuit and worried about making any major decisions and giving their opponents any new ammunition. In 2007, it was fear of Election Day that  triggered the Republicans to back the Hampton Roads Transpotation Authority - which was eventually dismantled after public backlash. 

This past summer - lawmakers went to Richmond for a special session on transportation, but they were unable to make any real progress. Kaine said that the special session would show voters who wanted to confront the state's traffic mess and who wanted to avoid the problem - and he would use that on the campaign trail in 2009. But are voters going to remember what unhinged the transportation efforts and will there really be retribution at the ballot box? 

With the state strapped for cash this year - and with only 45 days in Richmond instead of 60 - the obstacles are surely mounting. 

But is there a transportation push waiting to happen? Should we hold our breath?  

Comments

[Timothy Watson]

Correction: The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority was created in a manner that was unconstitutional.

The Hamption Roads Transportation Authority was created in a similar, so the legislature dismantled the HPTA to save the trouble of going through a court challenge.

[Timothy Watson]

The Hampton Roads Transportation Authority was not dismantled because of public backlash.

It was dismantled because the Virginia Supreme Court said that it was unconstitutional as created.

[Phillip Paul]

We could always pray that Kirwin holds his breath! FOREVER! To get rid of one more self proclaimed political consultant would be a prayer answered.

[Brian Kirwin]

Yes. Hold your breath.