Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993 TAG: 9309210143
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Let's not back away from the most important" highway project in Western Virginia, said Gordon Willis, chairman of the University Connection, a group lobbying for funds for the road.
Speaking to the Appropriations Committee of the House of Delegates on Monday, Willis said the road would be an economic boon for the region and attract millions of federal dollars for transportation research at Virginia Tech.
Willis said the "smart" highway would help relieve congestion in the Blacksburg and Montgomery County area in addition to being the first of its kind - an intelligent vehicle highway system - in a rural area in the country.
The road would help strengthen the ties between Virginia Tech and Roanoke, he said.
The federal government has already invested $5.9 million in the project, and the state has chipped in $2 million, Willis said.
The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $51.9 million.
Roanoke Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick, vice chairman of the University Connection, told the committee that the proposed road could help generate thousands of jobs in new businesses and industries along its proposed corridor.
The corridor has the potential to become a research and manufacturing center similar to the Research Triangle in North Carolina, he said.
Fitzpatrick, who has announced his resignation as vice mayor to become director of the New Century Council, said the region needs the state's help on the road to stimulate economic growth.
"We need your help to seize the moment. Western Virginia is at a crossroads," he said. "The smart road can be a catalyst."
Once the state has made the commitment to build the road, Fitzpatrick said, it will be easier to get more federal money and research grants.
The New Century Council, a group led by Virginia Tech and the Roanoke Valley Business Council, is working to promote regional planning and a strategic vision process.
Thomas Robertson, chairman of the business council, said Western Virginia used to be a safe harbor from economic troubles, but that is no longer true.
Cuts in defense-related industries are being felt in Western Virginia with the loss of more than 1,700 jobs at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. The ITT plant in the Roanoke Valley has also been adversely affected by defense cuts.
The recession in Europe has hurt the coal market in Southwest Virginia, he said.
Robertson said the New Century Council will develop a blueprint for economic growth in the New River and Roanoke Valley region.
"We must compete better for business prospects," he said.
by CNB