Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993 TAG: 9311250065
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV17 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The town wants the state to reduce the minimum road widths allowed to qualify for state maintenance payments.
The state now reimburses localities for maintenance costs on roads with a minimum right of way of 50 feet and pavement of at least 30 feet.
Richard Kaufman, Blacksburg's attorney, noted that in some cases roads this large are inappropriate to the urban character of the town and not necessary for their projected use.
"In some planned development . . . smaller roads might be appropriate," he said.
Kaufman made his remarks Tuesday night when Town Council met with Sen. Madison Marye and Del.-elect Jim Shuler to outline Blacksburg's legislative proposals for 1994.
Kaufman said the smaller roads would help lower development costs and lead to cheaper housing.
"That's certainly a critical issue," Shuler said.
A similar bill introduced by Marye in 1992 was passed by the Senate, but carried over by a committee in the House.
The original bill would have applied only to Blacksburg, but it has been amended to include cities and all towns with more than 3,500 citizens.
"I have no problems in supporting it," Marye said, but he wouldn't commit to sponsoring the bill.
Marye also stressed that if the bill is passed, the town would have to make sure all roads were wide enough to accommodate fire and safety vehicles.
"I can assure you that no one in this town will allow a substandard road to be built," Kaufman said.
In addition to the road proposal, Town Council also pledged its support for the "smart road" link from Blacksburg to Interstate 81; the annexation rights of towns; Amtrak service from New York to Atlanta that would pass through Christiansburg; and a law to require all bicyclists under age 14 to wear helmets.
by CNB