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It used to be that driving to Washington from downtown Richmond took about two hours. Sure, you might have encountered some traffic once you passed Occoquan into Fairfax County, but otherwise you could expect to drive the approximate 100 miles in a reasonable amount of time. That hasn’t been the case for years.

Rush hour no longer exists as a singular block of time; it’s constant. We all can share woeful tales of being stuck on Interstate 95 for hours because, quite simply, the roads can’t handle the continuing swell of traffic. Congestion needs to be eased.

A solution we embrace is expanding passenger and commuter rail service, and one we are glad is included in Gov. Ralph Northam’s sweeping transportation proposal that’s pending before the General Assembly.

Northam, Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, gave a high-level overview of the ambitious transportation package Monday morning.

“We’re proud to be the No. 1 state for business,” Northam said. “In order to keep moving forward, we have to invest in our transportation and infrastructure.”