Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A facility this size would be big enough "to draw quality national shows and athletic contests." An Elliston location would be centrally located between the Roanoke and New River valleys.
Global freight traffic at New River Valley Airport
The Dublin airport would be turned into a "major global air cargo facility" to take advantage of the region's central location on the East Coast and beef up the distribution industries already congregating here. Nearby land would be zoned commercial.
The "smart" highway
Incorporating intelligent-vehicle highway technology into the proposed link from Blacksburg to I-81 would "give the region a worldwide reputation as a recognized leader" in the field, and give the region an edge in attracting "high-tech, high-paying" jobs related to highway technology.
A four-lane highway from Blacksburg to Dublin to I-81
After the "smart" highway is finished, a new four-lane highway would be built in the New River Valley. Starting where the smart road ends in Blacksburg, it would run west through Montgomery County, cross the New River near Whitehorne, pass near the New River Valley Airport at Dublin and connect to I-81 near the Volvo GM plant. This road would give Blacksburg more direct access to the Dublin airport.
The "Transamerica" highway
Some proposals for this East Coast-to-Los Angeles interstate call for it to run from Covington to Roanoke to Lynchburg.
A ring of bike paths and walkways
A "circumferential" bike path/walkway around the region would include "spokes" to major points of interest. Such a system of trails would make the region "a world-class center" for bicyclists and pedestrians. There'd also be mandatory bike helmet laws.
Bus service from Blacksburg to Roanoke.
Later, it might be expanded to Radford.
High-speed rail to Washington and Richmond.
Faster connections to those two cities could make Western Virginia a "bedroom" community that would attract higher-salaried people to locate in the region "and ultimately encourage growth in the arts and recreation."
Monorail or magnetic-levitation trains from Radford to Roanoke
This would "move significant numbers of people" throughout the region and "provides a major step in the quest to connect us as a people and as a region."
Visitor information center on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The region would also hire a project director to market the region as an "international destination" for scenic byways tourism.
Welcome signs
Signs at airports and all county and city limits would identify them as parts of the New Century Region.
Bike paths with all roads
All road projects, be they new roads or improvements to existing roads, would add bike paths and pedestrian walkways.
Wired
The region would be fully wired to the Internet, with fiber-optic cables laid wherever new highways are built. Citizens might be able to vote from home, governments could hold public hearings by tele-conference, speeders might be ticketed by automated cameras and computers, and the fines could also be paid electronically.
Upgraded roads
Six existing highways would be upgraded, in order:
U.S. 220 from Roanoke to Greensboro (which would be the route for Interstate 73)
I-81 from I-64 at Lexington to I-77 at Wytheville
U.S. 460 from Bluefield to I-81 (which also would be the route for I-73)
U.S. 220 and Alt. U.S. 220 from Covington to Blue Ridge
U.S. 460 from Roanoke to Virginia Beach, and Virginia 100 from Dublin to Pearisburg.
Foreign trade zone
Desiginating the region as a foreign trade zone would allow for tax breaks that might attract more employers.
Establish 2,000-acre industrial parks
Each of these large "commerce centers" would be designated for a specific sector of the economy - distribution, information technology, intelligent highway technology and manufacturing are the ones suggested. They'd be big enough to overcome "the current lack of developed sites" and provide room for future expansion. Localities would be urged to share the revenues. No sites recommended.
by CNB