THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010455
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Some people believe that a new or expanded Virginia Route 168 to the Outer Banks is one of the state's most important road projects.
Others have said improving the road will be a costly endeavor benefiting out-of-town vacationers and few Virginians.
However, Dare County tax records show that a large number of the people who use Route 168 live in Virginia and own property in Dare County. And Dare officials want Virginia transportation officials to know.
The chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners recently wrote to J.C. Cleveland, the local administrator for Virginia's Department of Transportation, urging Virginia to speed improvements to the road.
The letter, from R.V. ``Bobby'' Owens, cited the following statistics to show that a new or expanded Route 168 would not be a one-way street:
Hampton Roads residents own 4,928 parcels of land in Dare County, a $458.8 million investment.
1,567 of these parcels are owned by Virginia Beach residents; 1,172 are owned by Chesapeake residents.
Virginians own 7.8 percent of the county's land, or 10,567 parcels, at an assessed value of $1.11 million.
Past statistics from the city of Chesapeake said 80 percent of the road's traffic came from out-of-town.
``It would only seem reasonable that Virginia would expedite improvements to a road which is used by thousands of its own residents,'' Owens wrote.
``The time has come for the state of Virginia to move this project forward in an expeditious manner.''
The road, a principal route to the Outer Banks, has a long history of summer traffic jams. There are only two lanes in Virginia south from the Great Bridge Bypass; they carry up to three times the route's capacity.
North Carolina has already begun improvements on its side of the border, widening the road from two lanes to four lanes in three separate projects. Improvements between Barco, N.C., and the state line are expected to be complete in 1 1/2 years.
The project was accelerated by North Carolina officials ``because of the critical role Route 168 plays in the event of an evacuation of the Outer Banks,'' Owens wrote in his letter.
During the evacuation prompted by Hurricane Felix this year, traffic backed up for miles, stranding motorists for hours as the storm threatened. It later veered away from shore.
But as North Carolina builds, Virginia officials continue to mull their improvements.
Yet to be decided is whether Virginia will build a separate bypass to Battlefield Boulevard or merely widen the current road.
Construction is not expected to begin until 1998. Virginia's current six-year transportation budget does not include construction funds for the $106 million project.
The Dare County letter was a friendly reminder, according to county spokesman Charles Hartig.
``It reinforces clearly the fact that many Virginians use that road to either spend time in their own cottages or vacation on the Outer Banks,'' said Hartig.
``The other point being that Hampton Roads is the major commerce center for northeastern North Carolina. Our people work there, shop there, and contribute significantly to the local economy.
``It's a road that is terribly critical to Virginians, North Carolinians and out-of-state residents, and it should be expedited.'' MEMO: This story also appeared in the North Carolina edition on page B1.
ILLUSTRATION: Color map
KEYWORDS: ROAD CONSTRUCTION VIRGINIA STATE ROUTE 168 by CNB