RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — Should a bridge be built over the James River connecting Jamestown and Scotland?
Del. Kim Taylor (R-Dinwiddie) thinks the idea should at least be studied, but is now claiming Democratic leadership in the Virginia House of Delegates is preventing that from happening.
Taylor’s House resolution that would have directed the Virginia Department of Transportation to study the need and options for constructing a bridge from Hog Island in Surry County to James City County, and then issue a report on its feasibility.
The resolution states Surry County is experiencing an increase in visitors, is in need of an increased housing stock and Taylor thinks the bridge could help support the new growth.
However, the resolution was never even brought to a vote in a House committee, and therefore died.
Taylor is blaming Democrats, who hold a 51-49 majority in the chamber.
“Virginians deserve better than this,” Taylor said in a release. “We were elected to serve our communities. Instead, many of my colleagues in the House of Delegates have decided to play political games.”
Taylor’s resolution is one of more than 80 that did not make it out of the House chamber before crossover day.
Taylor met with representatives from VDOT, the Secretary of Transportation and the Surry Board of Supervisors before putting forward this resolution, according to a spokesperson.
“These are the issues that our constituents are concerned about, and they deserve to have the information necessary to make a choice in this matter,” Taylor said. “Democrats ensured they don’t have that choice by killing this before even bringing forward to a vote.”
However House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) brushed off Taylor’s claims.
“Effective legislators don’t need a resolution to get a study,” Scott said by phone Wednesday morning, suggesting the study could still take place.
Scott pointed out nearly 1,000 pieces of legislation have been brought forward since the session began.
“We can’t get to everything,” Scott said.
10 On Your Side reached out to VDOT to see if a study could still be done. They had not responded by deadline.