Monday, October 12, 2009

Is McDonnell even aware of Southside's transportation problem?

So just before re-launching the blog, I watched the People's Debate sponsored by AARP and the League of Women Voters. Lowell has a great play-by-play over at Blue Virginia.

But one thing jumped out at me about McDonnell's response to a transportation question. He said something to the effect that transportation issues make it difficult to attract jobs to Northern Virginia. Huh? He does realize this debate is televised statewide, correct? As someone who lives in Martinsville, where unemployment still hovers around 22%, I'm more than a little put-off by that. Don't get me wrong; I've driven around Northern Virginia in the last few weeks and I'm sure issues of congestion and damaged roads do give potential employers some pause. It's not an easy place to get around, particularly if you're not familiar with the area. But that statement did nothing to convince me that McDonnell has a plan for (or is even aware of) the transportation issues facing the Southside.

Bob, what are you going to do to make U.S. 220 a safer place to drive? Will you push for completion of Route 58, even if it means taking big bad federal stimulus dollars? What about the long-promised Interstate 73 linking South Carolina and Michigan by way of Henry County and the Roanoke Valley?

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