Charlottesville City Councilor Satyendra Huja called for a more balanced city transportation plan Wednesday, stressing the need for increased funding for bicycle infrastructure and expanded bus service just a few days before he’ll compete for another nomination at the Democratic Party’s firehouse primary.
Huja said the city must have a “multi-modal transportation system” in order to be effective, one that includes “bike, pedestrian, transit, automobile and rail.”
“We need to do all these things together in a comprehensive manner to be successful…” Huja said at a news conference outside the Downtown Transit Center, where he was joined by about 15 supporters.
The longtime city planner is the only incumbent seeking re-election this year, and he’ll compete Saturday with six other candidates vying for three Democratic nominations.
Huja ticked off a number of specific suggestions in each transportation category.
Though all modes of transportation need to be addressed, bus transit should be the top priority because it will reduce congestion and help protect the environment, Huja said. Bus frequency should be increased to every 15 minutes, Huja said, and service should be expanded to include northern portions of the city. Huja also said he supports the creation of a regional transit district to improve coordination between the city and Albemarle County.
The first path to be implemented, Huja said, should be an east-west route following Ivy Road, University Avenue, West Main Street, Water Street, 10th Street and East Market Street.
Huja also suggested that sidewalks be built or completed on at least one side of all neighborhood streets, with priority given to sidewalks around city schools.
Regarding vehicular traffic, Huja called again for the completion of the Meadow Creek Parkway, and stressed the need for more speed bumps and other “traffic calming measures” to slow cars and discourage cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods.
Huja also said he supports construction of Hillsdale Drive Extended, ramps at the U.S. 250 Bypass and the replacement of the Belmont Bridge, all of which he said should be funded regardless of whether or not the money is tied to the Western Bypass of U.S. 29 in the county.
Asked whether he had considered what the total price tag for his transportation ideas, Huja said he had not.
“We already spend about $600,000 to $700,000 for sidewalks. We spend more than a million dollars on transit. We spend quite a few million on highways. I’m just trying to make it balanced,” Huja said.
Huja is competing in the Democratic primary with incumbent Brevy Cannon, Paul Beyer, Dede Smith, Colette Blount, Kathy Galvin and James Halfaday.
The primary will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Burley Middle School, and organizers expect turnout to be high. The primary is open to registered city voters willing to sign a Democratic declaration form.
The Democratic nominees will eventually compete with at least five independent candidates in the Nov. 8 general election.
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