Will Richmond Highway Get State Transportation Funding?

Commuters in southeast Fairfax County are hoping that the historic state transportation agreement might bring some much-needed funding their way.

If Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell signs the package, and if the potential legal challenges to its constitutionality are resolved, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority would get about $300 million to allocate as its members see fit. Southeast Fairfax County Development Corporation director Edith Kelleher says the notoriously gridlocked Route One corridor deserves major attention.

"We have a bunch new employees coming to Fort Belvoir," says Kelleher. "In fact, there are more employees at Fort Belvoir than the Pentagon. Most people don t realize that."

Widening Route One from Woodlawn to Hybla Valley could cost as much as $200 million, which would mean that pinning down the financing would involve serious competition with other regional interests.

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay says Fairfax County will also receive new revenues from sales taxes, although it's difficult to determine how much.

"We can probably get a lot of money to make some intermediate repairs to the road, you know, adding turn lanes, crosswalks, all those things," McKay says.

The governor is expected to make a decision later this month.