ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
Calling it a "back-of-the-envelope" figure, state transportation officials Monday estimated the cost of completing Interstate 73 between Roanoke and the North Carolina line at $800 million.
The figure set off collective head-scratching around a table of state and federal officials: How can the region come up with the money without waiting 20 years?
U.S. Sen. John Warner said one solution could be legislation he plans to introduce in the U.S. Senate today that would ensure Virginia gets its fair share of federal highway taxes. The state now receives about 80 cents of every dollar paid in it in federal gas taxes.
Officials said the bill, if approved by Congress, would generate an extra $60 million to $280 million a year.
Warner said I-73 advocates then would have to join a pitched battle to decide where the money is spent.
State Transportation Secretary Robert Martinez said the total cost of Virginia road projects awaiting funds - including widening of Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia - is staggering.
"It's a lot of billions," Martinez said. "I'm not trying to be flippant. But it's a very large number."
Some participants said the region may have to resort to making I-73 a toll road or supporting an increase in state sales or gasoline taxes.
Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, said other regions of the state with a backlog of transportation needs might support bonds repaid with increased taxes.
"That's how coalitions are built," he said.
I-73, when completed, will run from the Detroit area to Charleston, S.C. Some portions of the road already have been completed in North Carolina.
The road will enter Virginia on the north near Bluefield and roughly follow U.S. 460 to Blacksburg, where it will pick up the "smart" road and I-81/581 to Roanoke. From Roanoke, I-73 will follow the U.S. 220 corridor to the North Carolina line.
Virginia would build the Roanoke-to-North Carolina portion of the road first. The Virginia Department of Transportation's six-year plan includes $1million a year for preliminary engineering, for which a contract has been awarded.
Staff Writer Greg Edwards contributed to this report.
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