Wasteful Charlottesville highway highlights problem with Bob McDonnell’s road plans (Lynchburg: 2013, neighborhoods)

[phoenixmike11]

Wasteful Charlottesville highway highlights problem with Bob McDonnell’s road plans - The Washington Post

More great transportation planning from VA.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by phoenixmike11

Wasteful Charlottesville highway highlights problem with Bob McDonnell’s road plans - The Washington Post

More great transportation planning from VA.

This bypass has been in the planning stages for 50 years. The only reason it hasn't been built is for a serious case of NIMBYism which is what Charlottesville locals thrive on. There have been tons of legal challenges and they're just now starting to move on. As someone who absolutely despises Mcdonnell and stays very much in tune with Charlottesville, I can tell you that this is not something that can be pinned to him.

Anyone who thinks this is a road to nowhere clearly has not been to Charlottesville in 30 years. 29 is now 8-10 lanes for a stretch of 6-7 miles, and it's the only major road through the area. It gets as congested as Route 50 during rush hour and is the only option for people traveling north or south through charlottesville.

The major problem with this road is that when it was conceived, the sprawl had not gone that far north. Unfortunately, they're trying to push the bypass through using the original plans, which means it'll end about 5 miles too far south and in the middle of the congestion. It really needs to be an all or nothing sort of road that basically bypasses Charlottesville beginning at the Albermarle County line.

I agree that Northern Virginia doesn't get as much as it gives in terms of Road funding, but Charlottesville is not the leech that many other parts of the city are. It is set back from the Interstate and has no high speed thoroughfare like a beltway or GW parkway in which to get places. It also contributes a large portion of taxes and deserves to get some roads in return. This isn't southwestern virginia we're talking about here.

[FindingZen]

This thread was moved from the Northern Virginia forum to the Charlottesville forum for increased relevancy and response.

[badger74]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

This bypass has been in the planning stages for 50 years. The only reason it hasn't been built is for a serious case of NIMBYism which is what Charlottesville locals thrive on. There have been tons of legal challenges and they're just now starting to move on. As someone who absolutely despises Mcdonnell and stays very much in tune with Charlottesville, I can tell you that this is not something that can be pinned to him.

Anyone who thinks this is a road to nowhere clearly has not been to Charlottesville in 30 years. 29 is now 8-10 lanes for a stretch of 6-7 miles, and it's the only major road through the area. It gets as congested as Route 50 during rush hour and is the only option for people traveling north or south through charlottesville.

The major problem with this road is that when it was conceived, the sprawl had not gone that far north. Unfortunately, they're trying to push the bypass through using the original plans, which means it'll end about 5 miles too far south and in the middle of the congestion. It really needs to be an all or nothing sort of road that basically bypasses Charlottesville beginning at the Albermarle County line.

I agree that Northern Virginia doesn't get as much as it gives in terms of Road funding, but Charlottesville is not the leech that many other parts of the city are. It is set back from the Interstate and has no high speed thoroughfare like a beltway or GW parkway in which to get places. It also contributes a large portion of taxes and deserves to get some roads in return. This isn't southwestern virginia we're talking about here.

Absolutely. People and business in Lynchburg and any cities south of Cville have wanted this for decades. It's just late and need a redesign to the north.

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by badger74

Absolutely. People and business in Lynchburg and any cities south of Cville have wanted this for decades. It's just late and need a redesign to the north.

Oh then I assume those businesses and people will pay for it, as well as the beautification projects needed in Cville to conceal it as well?

[badger74]

The same people will pay for it as paid for the interstate that C'Ville stole away from Lynchburg many years ago. If Cville is too sensitive to have a highway going through it they can pay for the decorations. Cville got the money for the bypass decades ago. They just spent it on other things. Now they have to repay that or build the road.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by badger74

The same people will pay for it as paid for the interstate that C'Ville stole away from Lynchburg many years ago. If Cville is too sensitive to have a highway going through it they can pay for the decorations. Cville got the money for the bypass decades ago. They just spent it on other things. Now they have to repay that or build the road.

Proof for this? Have heard this spouted several times in here, but can find no actual documentation. Given the geology and geography of the area, it would have never made sense to locate it further south. Plus, even back then, people knew Charlottesville was far more important than Lynchburg..

[badger74]

The route was set (and Lynchburg had a much larger population) until some Cville connected politcos got Kennedy to change it at the 11th hour.

Interstate 64 in Virginia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by badger74

The route was set (and Lynchburg had a much larger population) until some Cville connected politcos got Kennedy to change it at the 11th hour.

Interstate 64 in Virginia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh, an unlinked citation ( Interstate 64 in Virginia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ), despite all other signs pointing to the original route. If that's what the citizens of lynchburg continue to talk about... so be it... Sucks to be lnychburg... keep rotting on the (non-existent) vine.

[badger74]

Actually just fine to be Lynchburg. Half the COL and nicer better safer neighborhoods without all the traffic. We looked at Cville and passed--then found L the next day. L's economy is doing very well too.

Lynchburg area emerging from recession with strong growth numbers - wdbj7.com