State Disperses $50 Million in Local Project Funds

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has dispersed $50 million in matching funding for transportation projects in localities across Virginia, according to a press release issued by House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford. A $25 million increase in the local-matching program was a key part of the transportation funding plan enacted by the General Assembly in the 2005 session.

"Through this House Republican initiative, localities have been given another tool from which to develop valuable expertise in transportation project oversight," Howell said. "Moving these important transportation decisions away from the bureaucracy of Richmond and to the insight of the localities is an important step in reforming the way transportation is delivered in Virginia.”

Ninety-eight cities, towns and counties applied for the funds. The Speaker's statement did not detail any of the recipients or the projects funded. (Despite assurances to Bacon's Rebellion nearly a year ago that the Speaker's office one day would establish a website so we could link to the full text of his press releases, there still is no website. Take note, Paul Nardo!)