Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 28, 1992 TAG: 9203280304
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: ABINGDON LENGTH: Medium
He told those attending the annual Bristol District roads hearing that the new federal highway funding criteria are complicated, but generally good for Virginia. The Bristol District stretches from Bland, Wythe and Grayson counties to the western tip of the state.
For 35 years, he said, Virginia's main transportation goal has been completion of the interstate system. Except for a few segments to be finished in the next few years, that has been done.
The new National Highway System approved by Congress will be the key to federal funding forroads in the near future, he said.
The system will cover 155,000 miles nationally, including all interstate routes and selected arterial routes. In Virginia, the goal will be to get as many of those arterial routes into the system as possible because they will be the only ones getting National Highway System money.
In Southwest Virginia, Milliken said, eligible routes include U.S. 460, 19, 23 and 58. A process will be set up by which the Federal Highway Administration and Congress chooses which roads to include in the national system.
The congressional act also creates a federal Surface Transportation Program which has some flexibility in where federal funds can be used by states. Milliken said it require certain amounts be spent in urban and rural areas, for safety and for environmental enhancements.
"There is a bridge program, as there has been in previous years," Milliken said. "Fortunately, it is larger than it has been."
The act also contains money for demonstration projects, such as improvements to the Cumberland Gap Tunnel in the Bristol District.
The 1992 General Assembly directed that National Highway System money be handled the same way as interstate funds have been. It will be allocated to eligible projects in the state as determined by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Other federal funds, including bridge and surface transportation money, will be allocated under state statute.
The state is studying funding formulas, Milliken said, to see what changes may be needed because of the new federal programs. A report will be made to the 1993 legislature.
Milliken announced that the department staff will recommend to the Transportation Board that the Norton bypass project on U.S. 23 and alternate U.S. 58, scheduled for bids in mid-1995, be moved up to this September.
Speakers from the district's 12 counties and two cities presented their annual wish lists of primary road projects to state highway officials at the pre-allocation hearing.
Work on U.S. 58, which has been envisioned as a four-lane highway across the state linking the coalfields with Hampton Roads, was pushed by many speakers. But some of them disagreed on the routing.
Grayson County Administrator Don Young pushed for continuing to route an improved U.S. 58 through his county. "I don't see an opportunity to get Grayson County on its feet or anything unless we . . . do so," he said.
Del. Clarence Phillips, D-St. Paul, was among those pulling for a more northern route that would run through Norton, Wise County and Russell County. He said it would be cheaper and cause less environmental harm.
Wythe County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andy Kegley asked for improvements at the congested interchange of Interstates 81 and 77 at Fort Chiswell.
Wytheville Town Manager Wayne Sutherland, speaking for Mayor Trent Crewe, sought funding for improving Fourth Street between Monroe Street and Ridge Road as top priority for the next fiscal year.
Del. Joseph Johnson, D-Abingdon, who represents Washington County and the city of Bristol, summed up the hearing best.
"There are a lot of needs, and everybody feels that their needs are the greatest," he said. "I'm not going to be selfish. I'm going to say that Washington County's and the city of Bristol's needs are greatest."
by CNB