Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 22, 1990 TAG: 9006220137
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The board also chose the route for a $105.6 million bypass of U.S. 460 to relieve traffic congestion between Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
The 460 bypass is to be built by the state as a limited-access, four-lane highway in a corridor paralleling existing U.S. 460.
The route for the bypass, designated as Alternate 3A by highway officials, is a 3.2-mile stretch that begins at the south end of the Blacksburg bypass and runs parallel to Route 460 to a connection with the Christiansburg bypass at North Franklin Street.
The plan includes extending Virginia 114 to connect with the new highway and extending the Christiansburg bypass to connect with Interstate 81.
Construction would require relocating 21 families and 10 businesses, transportation officials said.
Although the transportation board did not formally designate a route for the Blacksburg-Roanoke road, its action had the effect of earmarking what is known as Alternate 6 for development if and when money becomes available.
The Alternate 6 corridor begins near the southern end of the Virginia Tech Research Park and extends southeast, crossing South Main Street and running generally parallel to Virginia 641 before intersecting with I-81 north of the Virginia 641 underpass.
As explained by board member Stephen A. Musselwhite of Roanoke, the board could not formally select a route for the Blacksburg-Roanoke highway without endangering the possibility that federal funds will be made available to help finance it.
Backers of the link hope that the route can become a so-called "smart" highway that would test intelligent vehicle and highway systems. Such a designation would bring in federal or private money, but more studies need to be done before federal officials will decide about their involvement.
By "protecting" the Alternate 6 corridor, "it keeps anyone from going in there and doing any kind of development work or anything like that" until the study process is completed, Musselwhite said.
The Roanoke member was ecstatic about the related actions of the board. He said it had moved to take care of a serious traffic congestion problem in Montgomery County and also taken an important step toward a major economic boast for Southwest Virginia.
The Blacksburg-Roanoke direct-link highway "is an economic development project, as we see it, and we feel like it's going to help both valleys considerably and all of Southwest Virginia. . . . I see one day a megalopolis forming" between the New River and Roanoke valleys.
"It's a win-win situation," said Montgomery County Supervisor Todd Solberg. "It shows proper planning and foresight and enables us to pursue the idea of federal monies for a smart highway."
"I think it's fairly good news," said Blacksburg Mayor Roger Hedgepeth. Blacksburg's first priority was the direct link to I-81, but the town also supported a road to relieve U.S. 460 traffic congestion, provided it did not result in U.S. 460 being widened to eight lanes.
With the selection of Alternative 3A, U.S. 460 would stay at four lanes.
Musselwhite, recalling that many had warned initially that the direct link was a pipe dream that would never come about, said he now is very encouraged at the interest and enthusiasm federal officials have shown in making it a smart technology demonstration project. Although there is no guarantee federal money will be forthcoming, he said, "I think we're there at just the right time."
Musselwhite said that even if federal funding comes through, the project will need "creative financing." Its cost has been previously estimated at about $147 million. The transportation department has no money for it. But Musselwhite said there's a good possibility the project could qualify for funding through state pledge bonds, if a constitutional amendment allowing the state to issue such bonds is approved in a November referendum.
Transportation officials said that additional study requirements for the Alternate 6 corridor should be completed in two to four months. After a public hearing, likely in Blacksburg, the board indicated it might be able to formally designate the corridor route by the end of this year.
Among the reasons why they chose to protect Alternate 6 is that it would displace only about 10 families, compared to 80 or 90 families that would be displaced under other alternates, Musselwhite said.
Staff writer Peter Mathews contributed to this story.
by CNB