THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 1997 TAG: 9701070002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 43 lines
``Roads plans take their toll'' (letter, Dec. 29) contains a statement which seriously misleads the public.
Referring to a 1992 study, which was in the process of examining the possibility of a bypass around Ghent without damaging a single dwelling, the writer refers to ``Dr. Mason Andrews' pet project to tear down the best neighborhood in Norfolk to put a highway through it.''
This is grossly silly and simply not true. Because of political pressure, the study was abandoned before any information was obtained or recommendations made. The problem of intolerable traffic on Hampton Boulevard was there in the first place and remains.
I have sought reliable professional information with which to determine whether most of the traffic bisecting Ghent to the great disadvantage of all could be diverted, not only so as to do no damage to the residential neighborhood but also to enhance this part of the city and improve access to Old Dominion University. There is good reason to believe that it could have been done. My interest was increased by two fatal accidents on Hampton Boulevard involving teen-agers within two months.
Some of the current misunderstanding is generated by extensive reference to a 1964 Wilbur Smith report that did propose to plow through the edge of Ghent. But the report was never accepted and was essentially dead upon arrival. This same report contained another unbelievable proposal to bisect the Freemason area. This was also discarded and has not achieved the same immortality as the Ghent piece.
All possible ways to accommodate and divert the traffic now using Hampton Boulevard need our pursuit seeking and using accurate information. An inaccessible city cannot thrive, nor can its neighborhoods. The Norfolk International Terminal-Craney Island link of the proposed third Hampton Roads crossing can certainly divert some of the present traffic and deserves aggressive support. Current studies indicate that more relief will be needed.
It seems important for civic leagues examining this problem to insist upon full and accurate information from all sources.
MASON C. ANDREWS
Member
Norfolk City Council
Norfolk, Dec. 29, 1996