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Spotsy supervisors need more info on toll road authority Date published: 4/28/2010
Spotsylvania supervisors said last night that if they are going to support a toll road authority, they will need to see more details about the concept.
Supervisors didn't get any details last night during one of two required public hearings on the creation of a George Washington Toll Road Authority that would have the power to build roads and pay for them with tolls. No one spoke during the public hearing. One project the toll road authority could fund is a new Interstate 95 interchange near the Virginia Welcome Center that would connect to a toll road that bypasses State Route 3 to Gordon Road. This project is estimated to cost $250 million. "I do look forward to some detailed analysis and justification for when and where we will build this road," said Supervisor Gary Jackson. Supervisor Benjamin Pitts was also disappointed that there were not any details available last night about any toll road projects. He said he wants to know where the toll road would start. Supervisor Jerry Logan said he was surprised by the comments from other supervisors that they didn't know very much about a potential Route 3 bypass. "Gentlemen, this isn't the first time you've seen this," Logan said. If a new interchange and bypass were built, they would take 30,000 vehicles a day off Route 3. By 2035, the traffic would return to current levels. The state law that allows toll authorities requires two public hearings in Spotsylvania County and the city of Fredericksburg. The city already held one public hearing in March but has not scheduled a second one. Only one person spoke at the city's first public hearing. County Administrator Doug Barnes apologized for not having a presentation ready for supervisors. The second public hearing in the county is on May 11. Barnes said Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization staff will have a presentation about the authority and proposed projects. He said there are currently two alignments for the interchange and bypass that supervisors will see on May 11. Jackson said that several years ago the Board of Supervisors approved funding for a study of the feasibility of a toll road but that study was never completed. He said a Route 3 bypass has taken on many different names and processes, but none ever became a reality. FAMPO is working with Virginia Department of Transportation and federal highway officials to study the project before requesting federal aid. "This is something we are not experienced in doing and I think we need to be careful," Jackson said. Dan Telvock: 504/374-5438
Larry, you haven't answered any of my questions. So, where is this conspiracy notion of yours coming from, if not to focus our readers attention away from the real issues at hand? Have you somehow drawn from my comments that a conspiracy is in the making? If so, please let us all know. Have you found anything factually wrong with message I've brought to the table? If so, where? Feel free to cherry pick all you want, and if taking what I've said, out of context to support YOUR fuzzy portrails, that's OK too
Larry...what is it that you don't get about my blog comments. You want for me to congratulate Supv. Jackosn for asking insightful questions and NOT getting an answer back from FAMPO staff, present at the BOS meeting, or BOS members who serve on the FAMPO boards and committees who are bringing the TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY, to and thru the Spotsylvania County BOS under the guise of Chapter 801 (you should already have your copy posted on Stotsy's website) to the public.
what the toll ends up being and how much time they could actually save--even if they got the numbers they project, looks like it would be a short term solution (2035)
this road until they know the toll analysis which usually in a
chart showing how many people are willing to pay a
particular toll - and whether or not the best toll in terms of
revenue produced will actually pay for the road.
I would not agree with those who say the BOS will vote in
favor regardless of the toll data.
Assuming 30,000 rides will come off Rt3 is based upon what assumptions? Assuming all drivers that live past Gordon Rd will pay the toll is flawed. What I do know for sure: 1) it always cost more than projected, 2) it never brings in the revenue projected, 3) the benifet always falls short of projections. Flawed assumptions make for poor decisions by the BOS.
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