ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605150049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Monday to review the Virginia Department of Transportation's request to acquire 140 acres of land out of a protected conservation zone to build the proposed "smart" highway.
The board will meet with the county Planning Commission, the county Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee and the Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission to consider whether the proposed taking would have an unreasonably adverse effect on county policy and whether the taking is necessary to provide an economical, practical public service.
This is the second go-round for VDOT. Last fall, the supervisors rejected the highway agency's request, effectively halting the smart road project. But a week later, after much lobbying from Virginia Tech and business interests, the board rescinded that vote and set up the current, more-detailed application procedure.
A staff review committee will assess the answers to those questions and make a report to the supervisors Monday. The 7 p.m. meeting will be held on the third floor of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg.
The smart road, a planned six-mile link between southern Blacksburg and Interstate 81, is promoted as a providing ground for transportation research and a boost for Virginia Tech. Supporters say the project will relieve traffic and create jobs. Critics say the road is unnecessary and will damage the environment.
The full text of VDOT's smart-road application is available through the Roanoke Times Online at:
http://www.infi.net/roatimes/road.html
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB