ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Michael Linkous stood looking at maps showing how the Virginia Department of Transportation is planning to widen Peppers Ferry Road from U.S. 460 to the Christiansburg town limits.
The map showed how the construction would come close to his house and regrade parts of his front yard, with its colorful maple trees.
Just then Dan Brugh, VDOT's resident engineer walked by, and Linkous flagged him down to express his concerns.
Brugh's response: "We'll take a look at that," adding that a retaining wall might reduce the need for grading.
So it went at Tuesday's information meeting about the road-widening project. Detailed maps were on display in Town Council chambers, and more than a dozen VDOT representatives were on hand to answer questions and take comments from some 50 residents, including Town Council members.
Brugh said the meetings are a good way for residents to voice their concerns and insights, and that VDOT would consider what they have to say.
"What we're going to do is take the comments we receive now and fine-tune these [pointing at the maps] and come back with an official public hearing sometime in the winter," Brugh said.
Though the maps seemed detailed and complete, Brugh stressed they were not yet carved in stone.
"It's easier for us to change now than after we've done a lot of design work We address everything we possibly can," he said.
Several people, including Councilwoman Ann Carter and Ann Hess, former chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, asked how and where the Huckleberry Trail would cross the road.
Brugh's answer: "We can accommodate it if someone will show where it's going to cross."
One complaint that Brugh might not be able to solve is the increasing amount of traffic on the road, which has prompted the widening project.
Sheri Schetselaar, who has lived with her husband, Gordon, in Belmont Farms since 1971, said they are thinking of moving because of more traffic.
"When we bought, we bought in the country, but it's not in the country anymore," she said.
VDOT's plans call for Peppers Ferry Road (Virginia 114) to be widened to five lanes, incorporating a middle turn lane and starting where the railroad tracks cross under the road near the New River Valley Mall. The project extends to the town limits, just beyond the Department of Motor Vehicles office.
The portion from the tracks to North Franklin Street (U.S. 460) would include a median with turning lanes. Along the entire mile-long stretch there would be sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
Requested by Town Council in 1988, the project is slated to cost almost $4 million. Construction would begin in late 1998 and end in late 1999, producing only limited traffic snarls, Brugh said.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB