The region's fiscally Constrained Long-Range Plan (CLRP) has never adequately addressed its transportation needs.

It was bad enough that recent editions contained few significant additions.

Now, the recession combined with federal and state governments' failure to provide major, new sustainable transportation funds means key projects are being considered for delay or elimination from the CLRP.

At its April 21st meeting, the National Capital Transportation Planning Board (TPB) will discuss a list of proposed road project removals or delays from the CLRP.

Virginia projects listed for delay or removal include:

• Route 234 Extension - construction of 4 lanes from I-66 to US 50 (Delay to 2040)
• Route 234 Bypass - upgrade to 6 lanes from south of Manassas to I-66 (Delay to 2040)
• VA 7/US 15 Bypass - widen to 6 lanes from VA 7 W to US 15 S. (Delay to 2035)
• VA 7 Bypass - widen/upgrade to 6 lanes from US 15 S to VA 7/US 15 E. (Delay to 2035)
• VA 7 - widen to 8 lanes from Dulles Toll Road to I-495 (Delay to 2025)
• VA 28 - (Centreville Road) widen to 6 lanes from Manassas Park to Old Centreville Road (Remove)
• US 1 - widen to 6 lanes from Stafford County Line to Joplin Rd. (Remove)
• US 50 - widen to 8 lanes from I-66 to Fairfax City line. (Remove)
• Fairfax County Parkway - Widen to 6 lanes from Sydenstricker to Hoos Road (Remove)

Projects selected are generally those currently with the most distant completion dates and which have no assigned design or construction dollars. To view the entire list of changes, click here.

The CRLP public comment period is open until May 15, 2010. To submit comments, click here.

An infusion of new funds could reinstate and even advance these and other projects on the CLRP priority list.  However, as things stand now, the list of CLRP project cuts and delays is more likely to expand than shrink.