Mason professor discusses the good and bad of robbing highways to pay for Metro

Virginia will contribute its share to a dedicated funding source for Metro. But two-thirds of the $154 million commitment—more than $100 million—is coming at the expense of road construction and maintenance in Northern Virginia, and that is a problem, a George Mason University professor said.

“We don’t know what projects get displaced, and we don’t know if we’ll come up with other ways of doing it,” said Terry Clower, a professor of public policy and director of George Mason’s Center for Regional Analysis, “but at this moment, you have to say we’re going to have worse traffic congestion.”

That said, Metro, including contributions by Maryland and Washington, D.C., is getting an extra annual $500 million to help run the system. Metro is the nation’s only major subway system without a dedicated funding source.

“Public transportation provides a critical resource, particularly for people who can’t afford vehicles,” Clower said. “And then you have the broader issue that, increasingly, our high-flying companies, tech companies are talking about attracting young workers. And a rising proportion of young workers choose not to drive.”

On the other hand, Clower said, “A vast majority of people in this country still get to work in cars, most of them driving alone.”

And as real estate prices have skyrocketed, more people are looking to live in the cheaper outer suburbs and commuting to work.

“You start looking at those longer distances and that means [interstate] 66 or [route] 287 or [interstate] 95 stay congested for a much longer period of time,” Clower said.

Virginia House Republicans blocked two tax increases that would have fallen only on Northern Virginians and raised about $30 million to help fund Metro and reduce the taking of money needed for roads. 

“The net effect is less money available for road spending,” Clower said. “But the reality is, we need to be investing in roads as well.”

Terry Clower, can be reached at 703-993-8419 or tclower@gmu.edu.

For more information, contact Damian Cristodero at 703-993-9118 or dcristod@gmu.edu.

 About George Mason

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 36,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility.