To the editor:

I am writing about the state budget deficit of $882 million and the $155 million Virginia has designated for a light rail extension from Newtown Road to Town Center in Virginia Beach. I think that money should be used to plug holes in the current budget.

I would encourage citizens of Western Tidewater, where I still have family and friends, to contact their state delegates and senators and ask them to pull that significant amount of taxpayer money from light rail to address more urgent problems.

Even the proponents of light rail acknowledge it would do very little to reduce traffic congestion. They want light rail to kick-start redevelopment along designated strategic growth areas.

It is plain wrong for them to use transportation dollars for development projects in Virginia Beach when so many roads and bridges throughout Tidewater are in need of repair, resurfacing and expansion.

Dane U. Blythe


Virginia Beach