The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has received strong criticism for the way it snuck an unannounced vote on the controversial U.S. 29 Western Bypass past citizens. And deservedly so.
As The Daily Progress reported, with the hour approaching midnight at their June 8 meeting, a majority of supervisors suddenly suspended their own procedural rules so that they could vote to reverse the county’s longstanding opposition to the bypass without giving advance notice. The public had no opportunity for input and is rightfully upset.
This community has long insisted on making sensible improvements to U.S. 29. Spending over a quarter-billion dollars of taxpayers’ money on a road that would do little to improve traffic on US. 29, while inflicting tremendous damage on the community, doesn’t pass the test.
Among other problems, the route would run close to the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, generating new threats to the public drinking water supply. It would impact several area schools, damage established neighborhoods and invite sprawl west of the city. With the Virginia Department of Transportation’s own studies showing that less costly and more effective solutions are available, it’s no wonder our community has opposed the bypass for years.
So why the sudden switch? It was based on a vague deal some supervisors struck with the Virginia secretary of transportation, who apparently promised money to build the bypass and other county projects if local decision-makers add it to our region’s transportation plans. But the deal is not in writing, the details are fuzzy, and the repercussions for our area are unclear. Even supervisors seem uncertain about what projects the deal includes, the details and sequence of those projects, how they will be paid for and how all this could impact future transportation funding for our region.
An engaged citizenry is the foundation of good government. But that requires our elected officials involve the public before they make decisions. The supervisors must revisit their decision after putting all pertinent information on the table and then hearing from the public. Otherwise, this community could be forced to swallow a half-baked deal we don’t understand for a project that doesn’t make sense.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement