Transportation, our biggest problem, is Senator Barker’s top priority. Leaving our transportation needs unaddressed is damaging our economy and our quality of life. We sit in traffic as more than $1 million a day is “stolen” from construction to cover our maintenance budget shortfall. A transportation leader before being elected, George hit the ground running.

Transportation is the number one issue facing Northern Virginians. Traffic continues to clog our highways, slow our economic progress and diminish our quality of life. Senator Barker has supported several initiatives to address our problems.

Public Transit

In 2008 Senator Barker introduced a resolution requiring a study of public transit in Northern Virginia, including the extension of the Orange and Blue lines into Prince William County, which was combined with a similar resolution from Prince William Senator Chuck Colgan. This legislation passed both houses, and George has been assigned to the legislative subcommittee that will oversee the study and adopt proposals for an enhanced regional rapid transit network.

Hot Lanes

Senator Barker is well aware of community concerns regarding the proposed HOT lanes on the 395/95 corridor. He is committed to protecting his constituents, many of whom depend on the HOV lanes providing them with a quick and efficient way to commute to work. While plans for HOT lanes have not been finalized, Senator Barker is working to ensure that if such plans do move forward, people who are carpooling and slugging do not suffer as a result. In 2008 he sponsored a bill to require that if HOT lanes are established on I-95, they have to keep traffic moving at average speeds of at least 55 miles per hour on the HOV/HOT lanes on 95 between Springfield and Dumfries, where HOV lanes currently exist. Although this bill did not pass the legislature this year, George is working with other Prince William Legislators to draft legislation that would secure legislative oversight and ultimately require legislative approval of any HOT lanes development on the 395/95 corridor.