Northern Virginia groups seek WMATA funding bill amendments

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and local businesses are urging Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to amend a recent funding bill for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

In two March 26 letters, they expressed support for the $154 million set aside for WMATA but asked Northam to ensure that the funding doesn't come at the expense of other key transportation priorities in the region.

"While a dedicated funding solution for [WMATA] is important for all Virginians, we urge the governor and General Assembly to amend the funding solution so that the congestion-relieving transportation projects we have planned to advance in our FY2018-2023 Six Year Program and future programs do not come to a halt," said NVTA Chairman Martin Nohe in a letter.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance shared similar concerns on behalf of the Northern Virginia Transportation Coalition, which is a group of chambers of commerce and industry organizations in Northern Virginia.

"Securing $154 million/year for Virginia's share of [WMATA's] capital needs was a top coalition priority for the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session. However, protecting existing transportation resources is imperative. Funding [WMATA] and other transportation needs should not be an either-or situation," wrote David Birtwistle, president of the alliance.

NVTA and the alliance then urged Northam to amend the WMATA funding legislation with additional state funding and protection of existing local and regional transportation funding.

The annual $154 million funding for WMATA would be Virginia's share of the $500 million needed to address WMATA's capital needs. Maryland and Washington, D.C., are expected to pass legislation to cover the balance.