Carroll Foy: “As Governor, I’ll invest in repairing our roads and bridges, expand railway opportunities, ensure our transit workers make a livable wage, and more so that our transportation systems are durable and accessible for every Virginian.”
(Woodbridge, VA) – Today, ahead of expected Memorial Day travel and traffic concerns, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy released her plan to improve transportation across the Commonwealth. Her plan focuses on investment in roadway and bridge repairs across the Commonwealth, ensuring transit workers earn a livable wage, expanding railway opportunities across the Commonwealth, and more.
Carroll Foy’s plan builds on her record as Delegate, where she successfully pushed for legislation addressing congested interstate corridors, voted to establish the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, and helped to secure a dedicated source of funding for WMATA. As Governor, Carroll Foy will ensure that Virginia’s transportation systems are both eco-friendly and durable for Virginians who use them every day.
“I know what it’s like to be stuck in traffic for hours on end — and for so many Virginians, poor infrastructure investment in our transportation systems leads to loss of opportunities and income,” said Del. Carroll Foy. “And we know that marginalized communities and low income Virginians are disproportionately impacted by our failed transportation systems. As Governor, I’ll invest in repairing our roads and bridges, expand railway opportunities, ensure our transit workers make a livable wage, and more so that our transportation systems are durable and accessible for every Virginian.”
Key highlights of her plan include:
- Work to restore funding to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to pre-2018 levels.
- Continue to fund the construction of Metro Silver Line Phase Two, the 495 Express Lanes to the American Legion Bridge, and the expansion of the Richmond Highway.
- Make investments to ensure repairs to our existing roadways and bridges, including the completion of current widening projects to our highways and meet with local government officials to address long term transportation needs, from traffic and commuter congestion to out-of-date infrastructure.
- Expand the Metro Blue Line to Prince William County.
- Restore funding to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to pre-2018 levels.
- Coordinate with private sector partners in the pursuit of robust rail infrastructure projects, including working closely with the Greater Washington Partnership to ensure concerted efforts on “regional rail service, capital investments, and joint procurement strategies,” as outlined in their 2021 technical report.
- Make additional investments to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and continue the implementation of Governor Northam’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative.
- Implement the recommendations put forward by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation on transit equity and modernization.
- Work with Governor Hogan and Mayor Bowser to establish a regional group focused on the development of rail travel to better compete for federal funding.
- Ensure the fiscal solvency of crucial transportation agencies that were impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.
- Improve conditions for transit workers by ensuring paid sick leave, safe working conditions, and sustainable wages for public transit employees and airline personnel during and after the current pandemic.
- End the 3% cap on Metro operating costs to ensure transit workers always receive fair wages and push the federal government to create a dedicated funding stream for Metro.
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Jennifer Carroll Foy has dedicated her life to service. As one of the first women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute, a former foster mom, a magistrate judge, and public defender, Jennifer has embodied the ideals of community, honor and commitment in every facet of her life. During her time in the legislature, Jennifer led the way on the Equal Rights Amendment, proudly supported the successful fight to expand Medicaid to over 500,000 Virginians, and passed a budget that includes a three percent salary increase for teachers. She is a proud mother to twin three year olds, and wife to her husband Jeff, who she met her first week at VMI.