"Getting real about transportation"

Why is stating the obvious so difficult? With a total tax of 19.8 cents per gallon, Virginia ranks 40th as the least-taxed in the union. As Virginia's transportation infrastructure ages and rush hour road times increase, those elected don't seem to have the will to even increase the gas tax to keep pace with inflation.

I've supported Governor McDonnell's "Public-Private" approach to transportation but I don't support adding tolls on tunnels that for as long as I can remember have been toll free. Last year I suggested an increase in the gas tax as the logical way to help pay for roads, bridges and tunnels. I also encouraged Public-Private solutions and suggested the construction of a parallel Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel that would use E-Z Pass to collect revenue.

Increasing the gas tax for inflation and starting the construction of Public-Private parallel toll tunnels at the Downtown and the HRBT seems obvious to me, but I haven't heard anyone even mention this.