Growth study says more mass transit needed
BY SCOTT SHENK
THE FREE LANCE-STAR
December 9, 2012
YOU THINK TRAFFIC is bad around here now?
Fast-forward a few decades, to 2040, and the outlook is truly frightening.
Can you imagine twice as many people living here?
Well, that’s one prediction in a big study on the transportation future of our region the state just
released.
The Super NoVa Transit/TDM Vision Plan Study took a multi-state, regional look at the future
of transportation in Washington, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.
It paints a picture of big growth and immense transportation challenges.
If the study is on point, in our neck of the woods—Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford,
Caroline and King George—the population will more than double to nearly 700,000 by 2040.
That means more drivers, especially commuters. The study predicts that the local commuter base
also could more than double to about 300,000.
Already, the study points out, Interstate 95 and surrounding primary rounds in our area can’t
handle the traffic load.
The study makes it clear that something has to be done with the interstate and our road network.
The expansion of the express lanes on I–95 to Stafford, and eventually Massaponax, is one
improvement that can help, and the study points that out.
But as we’ve seen around here, road construction has no chance of keeping pace with growth.
With that in mind, the study suggests that creating more and better integrated options (more
buses, train lines, vanpools and carpools) is a key to the long-range plan.
If you want to see details of the study, go to fredericksburg.com and check the transportation blog
for links to the findings.