Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 3 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
By SHARON KILPATRICK
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
“The highway department gave me everything I asked for last time,” County Administrator John McCarthy said at last Wednesday’s hearing on primary roads, held at the Culpeper District office in Culpeper.
Mr. McCarthy said he had nothing new to ask for, but he wanted to thank the Virginia Department of Transportation for the decision to reopen Route 17 to truck traffic when the four-laning is completed on that road from Warrenton to Interstate 66 this summer.
He thanked them also for their support for the four-laning of Routes 211 and 522 from just outside Washington to the edge of Sperryville. “This is the 11th year since the fourlaning was first recommended; our Comprehensive Plan is based on it,” he said, noting that he understood the federal government had given the final approval for funding earlier in the week.
Jackson District Supervisor Ellis Bingham also spoke for Rappahannock, praising the work done by Resident Engineer Robert Moore and county road supervisor Doug Bywaters. He said he wanted to emphasize the importance of reopening Route 17. “It's a hazard on us to have trucks on Route 522 at Chester Gap coming over the mountain,“Che said.
Earlier in the hearing Warrenton Mayor J. W. Lineweaver had urged the nine-member Transportation Board, which held the annual hearing, to “keep truck traffic off Route 17 and the old Warrenton by-pass until completion of the northern spur.” The northern spur would connect Route 17 through traffic to the new eastern by-pass of Warrenton.
However, planning for that project, which would alleviate truck congestion on Broadview Avenue, has set back by Warrenton residents who complain about the possible environmental impact of that road. VDOT is working on an environmental impact statement. Commissioner Ray Pethtel said after the hearing. No date has been set to start construction.
On the other hand, construction of four lanes from the old Warrenton by-pass to Interstate 66 is ahead of schedule, Mr. Pethtel said. Route 17 may be opened to truck traffic as early as June, and it will certainly be possible to open the road to truck traffic in August, which was the
74.0%