That's exactly the reason why I've been saying that unless there's a major political change on where transportation money goes in this state, I-73 will remain dead in VA. I'm not saying NoVA shouldn't get anything, but there's more to the state than just NoVA. It's basically the "I got mine, fuck you" mentality. I don't see it changing anytime soon, if ever.
(and for Strider, too)
Believe it or not, far more money flows out of NoVA than goes back into it. NoVA is a cash cow to the rest of the state and they know it. It took tolls and a private partnership to get improvements to 95 and the Beltway that were warranted by traffic demands two decades ago. Most of these "business-desired Interstates" are along corridors that just don't have the traffic volume to warrant their expense. Furthermore, if you completely gridlock Northern Virginia, the entire state economy will suffer. Or is it that you guys just don't care?
I don't live in NoVA so I can't comment on that. I'd believe what you said, however. If more money actually flows out of NoVA, where does they go? To unnecessary projects or? All I know is that the state is broke, but how?
Not that I don't care, but its just sad that parts of the state (not just VA, I am sure other states has similar issues) that gets funding while others either get a little or they don't. The I-73 link from NC border to Roanoke is needed for economic reasons in that part of the state (even with I-77 just to the west). If traffic doesn't warrant it (I have seen PLENTY of traffic on US 220 as I drove up and down that road fairly a lot), the road still needs to be built either way, even if it is in a small segments and takes 20 years to complete.
I am really curious on how they are going to deal with the money they're holding for the I-73 project ($8 million).