Opinion
Western Prince William County is a wonderful place to live. We chose to live here because we love the sense of community and the cost of living is lower.
Many other families chose this area for similar reasons. When we moved to Gainesville over a decade ago, traffic was challenging, but not impossible.
Over the years, it has continued to get worse and the commute gradually takes more time from our families. Now VDOT is discussing the possibility of tolls on I-66, removing the exemption for HOV-2, and retiring the Clean Special Fuel plate exemption.
Many working-class families who live here left the inside-the-beltway world of higher taxes and cost of living and we can’t afford an extra $85 a week just to get to work. I oppose any effort to toll the lanes on I-66, to remove the exemption for HOV-2, or to retire the Clean Special Fuel plate exemption.
I encourage you to join me and the 66 Alliance, of which I’ve been a member since the second week of its existence, and stand for the tens of thousands of commuters who use I-66 each week.
There are better ways to reduce congestion and improve our commutes. In 2013, the General Assembly passed a bipartisan transportation bill that was intended to address some of the costs of transportation in Northern VA.
Let’s push for full implementation of the bill rather than jumping to implement an onerous toll that will take even more money out of commuters’ pockets. Our solutions must be numerous; there is no one way to fix our traffic problem.
We must extend the VRE to Haymarket, explore bus rapid transit, and study metro extension to our area. But most importantly, we must create a business-friendly environment that brings high-paying jobs to Prince William County.
The fastest way to get cars off the road is to bring the jobs to where we live. Tolls are not the answer. Don Shaw is the Democratic nominee running for Delegate in the 13th House of Delegates District.
Don Shaw is a Democrat running for the 13th District Virginia House of Delegates seat.
