Nye introduces Military Personnel Readiness Act of 2010

Unrestricted military HOV lane use

Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA 2nd) submitted a bill to allow military members, as well as civilian first responders and law enforcement personnel, unrestricted HOV lane use in Hampton Roads.

Follow up:

The bill comes on the heels the Virginia General Assembly law allowing active duty military members in uniform to use HOV lanes, regardless of the number of passengers, on Interstate Route 264 and Interstate Route 64 for the purposes of traveling to or from a military facility in the Hampton Roads Planning District. The legislation, HB 759 introduced by Christopher P. Stolle (R-83rd), breezed through committees, floor, and was signed by Governor Bob McDonnell without a single negative vote.

Unfortunately, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) which rides herd on federally funded built projects put the kibosh on the deal.

Nye’s bill would give each state the option of removing HOV restrictions for members of the military, law enforcement officials and emergency response personnel.

"This legislation will help ease traffic for everyone in the region, and make sure our military and emergency response personnel get where they need to go." - Glenn Nye

Kenny Golden, independent candidate for 2nd District Congressman, strongly agrees with Nye’s assessment.

"Being in uniform however should not be requirement. Many junior rates travel to their assignments in civilian clothes and change into the prescribed uniform at their duty assignment. This intuitive not only upgrades readiness and security, it will also relieve pressure and reduce congestion on the non-HOV lanes."

Jason Minares, Scott Rigell's campaign manager, indicated that Nye's effort somewhat mirrors a similar bill submitted by Congressman Eric Cantor, (R-VA 7th) in February. Cantor's bill has stalled in committee. Rigell is the Republican 2nd District candidate for Congress.

"This is another example of (Congressman) Nye following, not leading."-Jason Minares

If approved, it could in fact remove the necessity for a downtown Norfolk to Norfolk Naval Base/Air Station light rail spur. Also, consequential approval should be considered a factoring metric for the projected ridership algorithm when developing the Norfolk to Virginia Beach oceanfront spur Supplemental Environmental Impact Study(SEIS).