ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140072
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-16 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to your Dec. 3 news article (``Opposite sides on road taken'') regarding the ``smart'' road:
Your biased reporting continues to misinform the public about the smart road. The graphic you prepared, using data supplied by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Research, had glaring errors.
A ``projected benefit'' is to speed travel between Roanoke and Blacksburg, reducing a 55-minute trip to 28 minutes in 1999.
The only way for this to occur would probably be by helicopter! Even if the first two-mile test bed is built by then, automotive travel would come to a screeching halt at the concrete barricade in Ellett Valley. There are currently no funds to pay for the remaining four miles. Such funding may never become available.
How can anyone verify the estimates you included - ``an estimated 25,000 cars a day onto the smart highway''; ``an estimated $100 million in direct smart-road research funding''; ``another $300 million in estimated long-term spinoff development''?
You should investigate these figures to properly inform the public. Also, what about bridges? The Ellett Valley bridge is only one of six bridges being planned - one of which will be almost as long as the Ellett Valley bridge. Most citizens aren't aware of any of these bridges.
A responsible newspaper should inform citizens about both sides of an issue. Your reporting continues to be biased toward constructing a road that's neither economical nor practical.
DONALD W. LINZEY
Member, Virginia Department of Transportation Citizens
Advisory Committee
BLACKSBURG
First Amendment is best left alone
THE PROPOSED ``religious equality amendment'' offered by Rep. Henry Hyde and co-sponsored by Rep. Robert Goodlatte is just another attempt to force one group's beliefs on another group.
Because of the First Amendment, I'm still free to sing carols, pray or just close my eyes and meditate so long as I don't infringe on anyone else's rights. I don't need or require any federal or state dollars to express my religion.
This Congress hasn't yet learned to govern. We will be best served by government leaving us to our own house of worship, and leaving the First Amendment unsullied. It has served us well.
HAL WASHINGTON
LEXINGTON
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB