Thinking about where you are going to move? Check out some traffic analysis here.
Browsing Category Transportation
Virginia’s “Road to Ruin”
Interesting new blog about transportation issues in Virginia. Thanks to Waldo for the link.
Meadowcreek Parkway vote this evening
There was a great deal of public discussion on the original letter outlining the criteria for City Council to support the Parkway, but there has been NO public debate of this fundamental change in policy….I serve on the Transportation Funding Task Force that is looking into finding ways of paying for road projects and I have to tell you that there is little hope that we will find a source of funds that will pay for the interchange and the many other road projects in our area in the short term. Yes, we may be able to find $25 million to pay for the interchange, but by the time we raise that much money, the cost of the parkway will have doubled and the Interchange will cost $50 million….First, it is irrational to think that the overall transportation system in our area will be hurt by building more roads…. If the Bypass suffersfrom the addition of the Parkway, we should blame ourselves for failing to look ahead and build more roads in the past 50 years.If the desire of City Council is to KILL the parkway, please just pass such a motion so that then we can all move on. We’re sure you are aware that recent surveys indicate that a majority of City residents want the Parkway built, so we would hope that Council does not want to kill the Parkway…. ÊI serve on the Transportation Funding TaskForce that is looking into finding ways of paying for road projects and I haveto tell you that there is little hope that we will find a source of funds thatwill pay for the interchange and the many other road projects in our area in theshort term. ÊYes, we may be able to find $25 million to pay for theinterchange, but by the time we raise that much money, the cost of the parkwaywill have doubled and the Interchange will cost $50 million.ÊÊWefind little credibility in the argument that the intersection fails if theparkway is built…. ÊIf the Bypass suffers fromthe addition of the Parkway, we should blame ourselves for failing to look aheadand build more roads in the past 50years.ÊIfthe desire of City Council is to KILL the parkway, please just pass such amotion so that then we can all move on. ÊWe?re sure you are awarethat recent surveys indicate that a majority of City residents want the Parkwaybuilt, so we would hope that Council does not want to kill the Parkway.ÊWhatever happens, we hope that you will not practice secretive politicsand avoid the sunlight of publicparticipation.ÊThankyou for your consideration.
More on Meadowcreek
The DP is on the ball.Most people involved with the parkway, which has been on Charlottesville’s and Albemarle County’s wish list for decades, consider the interchange a necessity…. Tolbert anticipated having the engineering designs completed in 30 months, at which point a steering committee of neighborhood representatives and public officials would recommend one for construction once funding is secured.Therein lies the biggest catch.The interchange is anticipated to cost about $25 million, none of which has been set aside.At the rate VDOT disburses road construction cash, Tolbert said it could be another 20 years before the city and county have collected enough money.And this is the fun part…. to find the money to save just in case a miracle happens and those in government put the people first. Self-preservation in government leads to ineffectiveness and incentive to delay action rather than assume the role of actual leaders and LEAD.
More on local roads
Yet another group TALKING about roadsThe DP has a story today about yet another group of people talking about how we really, really, really need roads. For about thirty (30!) years, the Meadowcreek Parkway has “been discussed.””Construction projects such as the Meadowcreek Parkway, the eastern connector and the Southern Parkway have taken on near-mythological status as they are perennially discussed, debated and delayed.””The primary holdup, most parties agree, is state transportation money, which has been delivered to local governments in smaller amounts every budget cycle.”Not necessarily. The money was in the coffers at one time. Public outcry by a powerful, vocal minority has stopped progress in its’ tracks each and every time progress is nigh.Here is an interesting article about the difficulties facing the doomed-before-it-was-built Buck Mountain Reservoir.