DATE: Saturday, July 19, 1997               TAG: 9707180017

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   48 lines

BEST ROUTE PROPOSED

Hampton Roads political leaders should pat themselves on the back for this one. They've agreed on a single best route for a third bridge-tunnel connecting South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. And it's the logical route.

If local leaders had been unable to agree on a best path, hopes for a Third Crossing would have been severely dimmed, if not dashed.

This September, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will consider the single Hampton Roads recommendation. Generally the state board endorses local recommendations.

If built, the Third Crossing will affect practically everything: the ports, sports, tourism, economic growth, wages, entertainment and on and on. It's encouraging, if not amazing, that leaders representing so many different concerns came together, after a great deal of study and discussion.

Staff writer Debbie Messina reported Wednesday, ``The biggest hurdle will be finding the estimated $2.4 billion to fund it. Likely sources include state and federal funds, as well as tolls and increased gasoline and sales taxes.''

Not building the Third Crossing means stalled traffic around the clock by 2015.

The proposed route, starting in Newport News, parallels the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel but splits to the east in the middle of the harbor toward Craney Island, where a fourth international port eventually will be built. From there it crosses the Elizabeth River to Norfolk International Terminals and heads on to interstates 564 and 64.

Of prime importance is the fact the proposed route should improve traffic flow between the three existing and proposed fourth ports. Those ports are Hampton Roads' advantage over most regions. The ability to move cargo in and out is crucial to the region's prosperity.

The route would lessen traffic, especially truck traffic, on Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk. It also would lessen traffic on the two existing bridge-tunnels.

In a City Council resolution, Virginia Beach conditioned its support ``upon the expectation'' that at least $1 billion in federal funds will be spent on the project and that no funds be diverted from the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt. The city also asked that Route 460 improvements be considered as a short-term alternative to the Third Crossing.

Those conditions are not expected to kill the deal.

Much remains to be done, but so far, so good. The Third Crossing is essential to Hampton Roads. It won't be built without continuing cooperation. Local, state and federal officials must team up to get the job done.

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