Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 20, 1994 TAG: 9405200057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The board has proposed spending $500,000 to begin a more detailed corridor study of I-73, $1 million for design of the smart road and $8 million for engineering plans to widen I-81 from Christiansburg to Buchanan.
The three projects are among 173 that the board included in its tentative $1 billion road improvement budget for fiscal 1994-95.
Secretary of Transportation Robert Martinez said the budget gives priority to roads that promote economic development.
I-73 is proposed to run from Detroit to Charleston, S.C.; and the state has endorsed a route that would take the road through the Roanoke Valley along the U.S. 460-220 corridor.
The federal government hasn't yet approved a route, but Martinez said that won't stop the state from collecting data to more closely define the road.
"We will study the route chosen by Virginia," he said.
Even though North Carolina has endorsed an I-73 route that follows the Interstate 77 corridor, Martinez said he doesn't expect Congress to overrule Virginia's choice.
"That's highly unlikely," he said.
Also included in the plan is $1 million for engineering and planning of the five-mile link from Blacksburg to I-81, called "smart" because of its planned sensors and other electronic fiberoptic devices to allow cars to communicate with the highway.
Laura Bullock, a spokeswoman for VDOT's Salem District, pointed out that while the allocation is included in next year's budget, it's not really state money.
The funds will come from federal demonstration project money - part of a $5.9 million grant approved for the smart road several years ago.
"There is no 'real' money," Bullock said.
So far, no state general transportation funds have been approved for the smart road.
Earlier this year, however, Martinez said the state would commit $10 million if a consortium that includes General Motors and VDOT is awarded a federal $150 million highway technology grant.
Martinez said the state should find out this fall if the consortium is to get the grant. If so, construction on the road's first two miles could begin by 1996.
Frustrated motorists tired of the heavy traffic on I-81 can only hope that widening of that road begins by that time.
Commissioner of Transportation David Gehr said a construction schedule won't be available until engineering work has been completed.
The state plans to widen the four-lane Interstate to eight lanes from Buchanan to the edge of Christiansburg and to six lanes through the rest of Montgomery County.
The total six-year plan calls for $37 million to be set aside for the I-81 improvements, Martinez said.
Other projects included in the tentative plan for next year include:
$100,000 for a detailed study of additional improvements to Memorial Bridge in Radford. The bridge reopened Wednesday after being closed since April 21 because of structural damage.
$100,000 to determine the feasibility of improving U.S 220 from Roanoke to Martinsville.
$350,000 to improve the intersection of Plantation and Hollins roads in Roanoke County by adding turning lanes and a traffic signal. Work on the project could begin in early 1995.
Final action of the proposed six-year plan will be taken after public hearings are held June 9 in Salem and Richmond.
by CNB