Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501260046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Short
The board voted 6-1 to fund its share of a second federal grant application for the stalled six-mile bikeway and footpath.
"This bothers me," said Supervisor Ira Long, the board's dissenter. "They assured us they wouldn't be back. Where's it going to stop?"
Regulatory hurdles have delayed construction of the trail for more than a year. Meanwhile, construction costs have increased.
Now trail supporters say a $453,424 federal grant obtained in 1993 through the Virginia Department of Transportation won't be enough to complete the project.
The trail is applying for a second grant of about $300,000. One-fifth of that money is to be generated locally, in $15,500 shares from Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County governments and the Friends of the Huckleberry, a private organization.
Town councils in Blacksburg and Christiansburg have already agreed to contribute.
Long said he objected because trail supporters told the board several years ago they could complete the project without relying on financial help from the county.
Without the second grant, the trail - designed to connect Blacksburg and the New River Valley Mall - will have to be scaled back, supporters say.
Current plans are for construction to begin this fall.
by CNB