Study: Virginia urban areas are congested

A study of urban traffic congestion ranks three areas in Virginia among the most congested in the United States.

The Texas Transportation Institutes’ 2010 Urban Mobility Report lists Washington D.C./Northern Virginia as the nation’s most congested region when measuring average annual delay. Virginia Beach and Richmond also rank high for congestion delays.

“This study reinforces the fact that Virginia must address its transportation needs now,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has been pushing a transportation package that would infuse new monies to roads infrastructure in Virginia that has been criticized by Democrats and some conservatives as “borrow and spend.”

“We must recognize that an efficient, reliable transportation system is a key element to creating jobs, moving people and goods, and sustaining the economic vitality that makes Virginia the top state in the country for doing business,” said McDonnell, whose plan would invest $4 billion in transportation within the next three years.

The TTI study suggests that states implement congestion-reduction, technology and innovative transportation programs that can reduce the high cost and wasted time caused by traffic delays. It suggests that states must invest in technological innovations that squeeze as much capacity from their highway systems as possible, add capacity where it is needed most, and avoid traditional rush hours by advancing public transportation options, telework programs, ridesharing and flexible work schedules.

Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].