Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992 TAG: 9202210071
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BEING BLACKMAILED
At their Feb. 10 meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors discussed the "direct link" road between Blacksburg and Interstate 81 (Alternate 6). After hearing the viewpoints of various citizens and receiving a petition signed by approximately 1,000 people against Alternate 6, the supervisors requested comments from Virginia Department of Transportation Engineer Dan Brugh.Amid his comments, Mr. Brugh stated that, in his opinion, if the supervisors withdrew their support for Alternate 6 (a widely unpopular road proposal), funding for a Blacksburg-Christiansburg Bypass (Road 3A) would be jeopardized.
Road 3A is supported by a wide majority of Montgomery County residents, from business concerns to environmentalists. In addition, construction of 3A has already been approved in [the Transportation Department's] plan for the Salem district.
The implication of Mr. Brugh's comments is that Montgomery County is being blackmailed to accept Alternate 6 if they want road 3A, which until this meeting had seemed a certainty. A further implication is that Alternate 6 will not be evaluated based on its economic, environmental and social impacts because of arm-twisting from higher powers.
Road 3A is a much-needed by-pass to relieve congestion and facilitate traffic flow to Interstate 81. Alternate 6 is an unnecessary, unpopular and environmentally destructive proposal. In the interests of Montgomery County, the two roads must be considered as separate entities.
As citizens, we are entitled to know how, why, and by whom approval for Road 3A can be rolled back due to a county vote against Alternate 6. As a citizen of Montgomery County, I am livid that a fair discussion of this matter, with the county's well-being in mind, is being railroaded by acquiescence to back-room politics.\ David Hirschman\ Blacksburg