ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY AND KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITERS
Both defeated opponents and victorious supporters of the "smart" road drew lessons Tuesday from the go-ahead for the controversial road project.
The board voted 4-3 Monday to allow the Virginia Department of Transportation to take about 140 acres out of a county agricultural and forestal district it needs to build the smart road. That vote allows the project to move forward after months of uncertainty.
The decision, which drew more than 200 people and two hours of testimonials for and against the road, evoked disappointment and anger from opponents and elation from the road's supporters.
But it also brought out deeper questions about the area's future growth, Virginia Tech's image among Montgomery County residents and how the deep divisions spawned by the smart road issue will affect the community in the aftermath.
In the midst of congratulations during a Tuesday breakfast meeting of university and Blacksburg officials, Virginia Tech President Paul Torgersen said he worried about Tech's image as "the 800-pound gorilla throwing its weight around."
"I'm not sure we're perceived as quite a good citizen in the larger county," said Torgersen, who spoke in favor of the road during Monday's meeting. The longtime Montgomery County resident stressed Monday the smart road would provide jobs and a solid tax base that would benefit the entire community.
The image of corporate interests crushing the will of common county residents was a common theme among people who spoke against the road Monday.
Riner resident Charles Bowles, for example, lamented after the meeting, "I just think it's a damn sad day when we have to pay for a private road for Virginia Tech."
Richard Roth, president of the New River Valley Environmental Coalition, may agree with some of those sentiments but said he wished the debate focused less on the pros and cons of the road and more on the larger context of regional growth. He hopes the vote will result in more people becoming involved in an open-space plan for the county that will preserve the area's natural beauty. The county Board of Supervisors voted down a similar effort in late 1993.
"I would look for some positive to come out of it," Roth said. "First of all, I think it's been a learning experience for the whole community. If you're cynical, you'll think the guys with money and power get what they want. But if it gets us thinking more about the community we want in the future, it could be positive."
Supervisor Mary Biggs, who cast the deciding vote in favor of VDOT's request, considers the smart road the most difficult issue the board has ever faced. A schoolteacher, Biggs is a newcomer to elected office, but had watched the supervisors for 15 years as an observer for county educators. She said she hopes the vote will not permanently divide the community.
Biggs said she decided after attending countless meetings and talking to people on both sides of the issue that a direct link between Blacksburg and Interstate 81 is needed and the current smart road route is the least disruptive. Biggs said she did not feel pressured by anyone to vote a certain way.
"To me, this wasn't a big victory," she said Tuesday. "To me, it was a decision that had to be made. It was a very, very difficult decision because you were weighing so many things."
Monday's decision means VDOT will move ahead with design plans for the smart road, which soon will be submitted to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for approval. Meanwhile, design plans for the companion highway project, Alternative 3A, the U.S. 460 bypass connector, were to have been discussed by the board today. But that has been postponed until next month, a VDOT spokesman said.
Alternative 3A has received widespread support. But opposition to the smart road will not die anytime soon.
Three local environmental groups are suing the federal government, claiming more environmental impact studies need to be undertaken before the project can begin. A summary judgement is expected in August.
Another federal lawsuit claims the road project will use public funds for private interests.
"Who knows, if you delay something, sometimes you can see things change," Roth said. He is waiting until the bulldozers begin shifting the dirt before he truly will admit defeat.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Gene Dalton. 'Smart' road opponents brought signs toby CNBMonday night's meeting before the Montgomery County Supervisors.
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