Traffic is bad in Suffolk and Hampton Roads and it’s going to get worse.

The area is expected to continue to grow at high rates into the foreseeable future and transportation access will be vital to our economic well-being.

As such, we encourage readers to vote &uot;Yes&uot; on Nov. 5 for the 1-cent sales tax referendum to fund transportation projects in Hampton Roads.

Granted, the measure never should have been put before voters and most such issues are longshots, but with a gutless General Assembly unable and unwilling to muster the courage to do what they were elected to do

and come up with the funding these vital transportation improvements – as well as higher improvements – the referendum is the only chance we have to get it accomplished.

The Suffolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce sponsored a rally Saturday morning at the Holiday Inn to kick off its campaign to raise interest and support for passage of the transportation referendum. Another is scheduled for Wednesday and we encourage everyone with an interest in seeing our community and region progress to attend and support the campaign.