Ready to Roll at VDOT

Sean Connaughton, appointed by governor-elect Robert F. McDonnell to be secretary of transportation, will be jumping into his new position a month after the Virginia Department of Transportation lowered its revenue estimates for fiscal 2010.

Connaughton was a former administrator in the U.S. Department of Transportation under President George W. Bush and a former chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.

In announcing the appointment, ­McDonnell said Connaughton’s previous experience “prepared him very well” to lead VDOT.

The state’s traffic problems were a major theme during last year’s gubernatorial campaign.

McDonnell advocated that general fund revenue be used to back bonds for transportation projects.

The state legislature in April 2007 approved $3 billion of revenue bonds for transportation needs that have not been issued due to limited revenues. Critics of the plan said Virginia’s general fund does not have sufficient revenue to support the new debt.

The revised VDOT budget cuts highway system maintenance and financial assistance to localities. Transportation revenues dropped by more than $85 million from the June budget.

Connaughton also will be watching a court decision on the Dulles Metrorail extension project.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia could decide this year if the Metropolitan Washington Airports ­Authority is illegally using toll revenue to fund Metrorail construction. Bonds issued by the MWAA for the Metrorail project are backed by the toll revenue.

The transportation secretary also oversees the Virginia Port Authority, the Department of Aviation, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Pierce R. Homer, the outgoing transportation secretary, said in an interview that he has not settled on his next career move, though he hopes to continue working on infrastructure issues.

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Transportation industry Virginia
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