Julia Eisen – WMAL News | September 28, 2023
Virginia roadways are back at pre-pandemic levels, according to TRIP, a national transportation research non-profit. With more people on the road, Virginians can expect more traffic.
A new report released from TRIP Thursday stated that the average Northern Virginian commuter experiences an additional 103 hours annually sitting in traffic.
“Which is causing them to waste 40 gallons of fuel and costing them 2,500 dollars annually in the value of lost time and wasted fuel,” Rocky Moretti, Director of Policy and Research at TRIP, said in a press conference Thursday.
In the Hampton Roads area, the average commuter spends about 40 hours annually in traffic and wastes about 14 gallons of fuel sitting in traffic, costing them $850 annually. In the Richmond area, the average commuter spends about 34 hours annually in traffic and wastes about 18 gallons of fuel sitting in traffic, costing them $791 annually in lost time and wasted fuel.
However, recent projects such as the widening of I-64 and additional express lanes on I-66 have eased some traffic, according to TRIP.
Moretti said that in order to keep improving, Virginia needs to keep the funding up and keep working at its current pace.
“With these ongoing improvements, while they absolutely critical, the reality is that Virginia continues to experience significant growth and these improvements need to continue at that pace,” Moretti said in the press conference.
TRIP advises Virginia to provide a sufficient, ongoing source of funding to improve roadways and the entire transportation system.
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