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Roanoke & Franklin counties, VA
Virginians for Appropriate Roads was
formed in 1999 to organize local opposition to a
new terrain interstate. Many of VAR's members
have been involved in the I-73 fight since 1994
or earlier. VAR has been successful in networking
with the national group Friends of the Earth
(FOE), which assisted in a newspaper ad during
the public hearings on the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement in December 2000. FOE has also
helped with the publication of a color brochure.
During the 2000 public hearings, "Improve
220" received the largest number of
favorable comments given for any I-73 option.
According to VDOT records, 3,614 comments favored
improving U.S. 220. The "Central
Option" received 1,082 comments.
"East", the option chosen for
construction, received only 302 favorable
comments. In addition, VAR has been successful in
obtaining historic resource eligibility for
portions of SE Roanoke. VDOT and FHWA made
several attempts to have that eligibility thrown
out. However, the status for SE Roanoke remained
intact and in March 2004, VDOT announced a new
route avoiding SE Roanoke. VAR continues its
efforts promoting an upgrade of U.S. 220 with no
new terrain construction. The current alternative
would plow through the Old Order German Baptist
community in Franklin County. It would also have
severe impacts to critical habitat of the
endangered Roanoke logperch. VAR and BREDL will
continue efforts to save these areas. Contact information:
posted online May 13, 2004 |