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 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
What To Do With Rt. 729
; With all the recent press surrounding Route 28 in Fauquier, 17 fatalities since 1992, much has been made of dangerous roadways upon which we travel daily. Route 729 in Rappahannock and Culpeper counties is just such a road. Over the years numerous accidents and fatalities have occurred along its 21 mile stretch from Route 211 to Route 229. Last week it claimed two more lives., one from Rappahannock, one from Culpeper. ; Law enforcement officials in this county believe it’s up to residents to “police themselves” and slow down on the road, to develop a! healthy respect for its myriad twists and turns. ! Many residents point fingers at the Virginia Department of Transportation for not doing more to make the road safer. Especially at the site of last week’s tragedy where the bridge was replaced two years ago. They have speculated that if VDOT had taken more time and done a little rerouting then, those two young people might still bb here. Maybe, maybe not. And, VDOT was under pressure to get the road reopened quickly.
The tree which in effect killed Mary Beth Williams and Tori Leigh Smoot has since been removed by concerned citizens of the county. It remains to be seen if the tree on the opposite side of the road from which the latest accident occurred will also be removed. Last year it also took a life. ; Culpeper County has had its share of fatalities too. ; While most of the fault lies with the individuals for either exceeding the speed limit or not paying sufficient attention there may be more which can be done to make the road safer.
VDOT is concerned enough that Resident Engineer Bob Moore Will be at the June 2 meeting of the Rappahannock Board of Supervisors to discuss the issue with county residents. ; If you have suggestions or ideas about improving Rt. 729 it would be an opportune time to express them. • Until then, slow down or take another road. We must learn from the mistakes of the past or be doomed to repeat them. If you must travel Rt. 729, remember those that went before you. If they could, they’d tell you to be careful.
95.2%