Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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| Path supported by county supervisors |
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Friday, December 18, 2009
By GINNY WRAY - Bulletin Staff Writer
The Commonwealth Transportation Board on Thursday authorized studies of the proposed alternate route for Interstate 73 through Henry County.
On a unanimous vote, the board directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to work with the Federal Highway Administration to “conduct the necessary studies and take such steps as may be required by law to consider shifting the location of the alignment,” according to the CTB resolution.
VDOT also was directed to bring the results of the studies to the CTB so it can consider shifting the interstate’s alignment, the resolution adds.
“I’m tickled to death,” said Skip Ressel of Martinsville, a staunch supporter of the route who attended the CTB meeting. “I talked to the board members afterward, and they said it makes sense.”
The alternate route, proposed by the Henry County Board of Supervisors, runs slightly west of the approved route. Both are east of Martinsville. The alternate route would bring the interstate closer to major local industrial parks and the Martinsville Speedway.
Last month, VDOT recommended that the alternate route not be studied further because potential risks might outweigh the benefits.
VDOT’s report mentioned risks including cost and environmental considerations, plus:
• There is no guarantee that the highway administration will accept the alternate route.
• The project’s opposition would have another opportunity to initiate litigation against VDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, and
• The highway administration may require the environmental review process to be repeated, “which could jeopardize the overall project.”
The report mentioned four reasons why the alternate route would be better than the approved route and six reasons why it would not.
In addition to being closer to industrial parks and the speedway, the listed benefits are two fewer commercial properties being affected, five fewer stream crossings and a 4.2-acre reduction in the impact on wetlands.
Detriments listed include higher costs, a 1.8-mile increase in the highway’s length, the need for 38 more residential relocations, a 28.7-acre increase in impact on flood plains and proximity to Laurel Park Middle School and the Beaver Creek Reservoir, which is Martinsville’s drinking water source.
VDOT estimated in the report that revising the highway administration’s record of decision to reflect using the alternate route would take 12 to 30 months and cost between $450,000 and $2.2 million or more, depending on how much work is necessary.
VDOT spokesman Jason Bond said Thursday there are a lot of unanswered questions that the department will have to discuss with the highway administration as a result of the transportation board’s action.
For instance, VDOT will have to know how far back it must go in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which includes developing alternate routes, screening them, determining viability and selecting one to proceed with, he said.
Dana Martin, the Salem District representative on the CTB, could not be reached for comment Thursday on the intent of the resolution, which he introduced at the board’s meeting.
Ressel acknowledged that it will take time to do the additional studies, but he said if the alternate route is approved, it includes five miles of the bypass that already exist.
“We would have an interstate a lot sooner” than if the entire highway was built from scratch, he said. “We think we’re years ahead” with the alternate route.
Ressel was pleased with the board’s action.
“This was a Christmas present from the CTB for Henry County commerce and viability in the future,” he said. |
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