Delegates Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William) and Jim Scott (D-Fairfax) aren’t often on the same side of transportation and other issues.

However, on February 12th in the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, they teamed up to deliver a right-left punch that knocked out Delegate Dave Albo’s bill (HB 277), directing the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to locate a Western Bypass Corridor.

The vote to report the bill was (2-Y 5-N) with Loudoun County Delegate Joe May and Virginia Beach Delegate Bob Tata voting yes.

Had Delegates Lingamfelter and Scott voted in the affirmative, HB 277 would have passed the Subcommittee by a 4-3 margin.

Ironically, the votes against HB 277 were not only votes against a major regional need, but against the interests of their own districts and constituencies.

Absent a Western Bypass, Route 234 in Prince William County becomes a de facto Western Bypass. Similarly, past studies have shown a Bypass would divert upwards of 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day off the Capital Beltway in Delegate Scott’s district.

In its testimony before the Subcommittee, the Alliance noted that the Bypass’ transportation and economic benefits are well-documented and that a Bypass has strong support among the business community and public as a whole. (To read the Alliance’s statement, click here.)