Oppose

Oppose

Road Plans

To the Editor:

Are you concerned about future transportation needs and the impact they have on the county? If so, you’re not alone, and you’re invited to a public meeting sponsored by the County Supervisors on Monday May 1 at the Courthouse at 7:00 PM to discuss your transportation concerns.

Roads, cars, and trucks are vital to Rappahannock County and our way of life here. Nobody questions that. And nobody questions the need to plan ahead as the seemingly inevitable and inexorable urban sprawl from the D.C. area moves towards the county.

The County Supervisors and the Planning Commission recently listened to Richard Keller present results of a study his company, Kellerco, carried out for Planning District 9 (PD9) as part of a federal grant. The study indicated that roads within the county would potentially serve as a major north/south corridor from Front Royal to Culpeper with bypasses around villages. The study, based on traffic figures and projections supplied by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), raised questions and eyebrows.

Some of Keller’s predictions for future needs oft the county are allegedly based on a one-time traffic count made during the height of the tourist season on a major fall weekend. As such, a spot check cannot reasonably be used as a projection for the future. He had no time to answer questions during or after his presentation.

Keller’s recommendations include:

• Widening of Route 522 to 4 lanes from Sperryville to Culpeper. Upgrading of the route from Massies Comer to Chester Gap.

• Bypasses around Sperryville, Flint Hill, and Woodville.

• Upgrading of Route 231 (presently a designated Virginia Byway) to serve, with Route 522, as a major interstate truck route from 1-81 in Front Royal to Charlottesville, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area.

• Adding 2 more lanes to the present 4 lanes of Route 211..

• Upgrading of Routes 621 and 729 to make them major access corridors to take the load off Routes 21.1522.

• Several stop lights and overpasses throughout the county, including Massies Comer.

Most residents want the county to define its own future. Your input and help are needed. The results of this study, if implemented, would radically change the character of the county. Come to the meeting at the County Courthouse in Washington, May 1 at 7:00 PM. Ask questions and get the answers you want. Keller has agreed to attend.

For more information call the Ragged Mountain Resouce Center at 675-1879, Melinda Alexander at 9873125, or Bruce Sloane evenings at 987-8859.

BRUCE SLOANE

Sperryville

Editor’s note: The proposal does not appear to call for any upgrading of Route 231. It does show an alignment for the Sperryville by-pass that would line up with Route 231, but that is an unlikely location since there is a house at that intersection.