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I-73 in VA

Started by 74/171FAN, June 04, 2009, 07:50:37 PM

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Roadsguy

Quote from: VTGoose on March 23, 2020, 08:38:13 AM
Quote from: Strider on March 22, 2020, 11:59:31 PM
I am just glad that VDOT is working on it. Once MSC is finished, hopefully they can incorporate it into I-73 (I know they will). Between Martinsville and Roanoke.. who knows. Maybe they're just taking it slow. As of Roanoke area, I-581 is already there, but it is now a placeholder for I-73. They can change signage from I-581 to I-73 if they want to.

I look forward to attend to more meetings about MSC once the coronavirus outbreak slows down.

Tagging I-581 as anything more than "Future I-73" accomplishes nothing. There is a large gap between VA 419 and Martinsville that will require new highway on new right of way. Between the expense of that, the resistance of people in the area, and the pressing needs to fix I-81, this highway will remain in the "fictional" realm for a long time.

Bruce in Florida (temporary relocation from Blacksburg, waiting on a new grandchild)

I suppose that if they signed the existing freeway segments as I-73, it might get some locals to start clamoring for it to be completed. That probably wouldn't help much, but how many people in Roanoke and Martinsville even know that I-73 exists?
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.


LM117

#776
Quote from: VTGoose on March 23, 2020, 08:38:13 AM
Quote from: Strider on March 22, 2020, 11:59:31 PM
I am just glad that VDOT is working on it. Once MSC is finished, hopefully they can incorporate it into I-73 (I know they will). Between Martinsville and Roanoke.. who knows. Maybe they're just taking it slow. As of Roanoke area, I-581 is already there, but it is now a placeholder for I-73. They can change signage from I-581 to I-73 if they want to.

I look forward to attend to more meetings about MSC once the coronavirus outbreak slows down.

Tagging I-581 as anything more than "Future I-73" accomplishes nothing. There is a large gap between VA 419 and Martinsville that will require new highway on new right of way. Between the expense of that, the resistance of people in the area, and the pressing needs to fix I-81, this highway will remain in the "fictional" realm for a long time.

Bruce in Florida (temporary relocation from Blacksburg, waiting on a new grandchild)

Another strike against I-73 is that SW VA has pretty much lost what little political clout it had after the General Assembly changed hands. Guess where the leaders of the House and Senate are from...
“I don’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch!” - Jim Cornette

Beltway

#777
Quote from: LM117 on March 23, 2020, 09:35:12 AM
Another strike against I-73 is that SW VA has pretty much lost what little political clout it had after the General Assembly changed hands. Guess where the leaders of the House and Senate are from...
If the motor fuel taxes passed by the GA are signed into law, they will be paying 17 cents per gallon more after July 2021.

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Beltway

#778
Quote from: 1 on March 23, 2020, 01:57:50 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 01:55:17 PM
If the motor fuel taxes passed by the GA are signed into law, they will be paying 17 cents per gallon more after July 2021.
That would be more than doubling the current price of gas. Are you sure about this?
Yes.  5 cents more on 7-1-2020, another 5 more cents more on 7-1-2021.

The 7 cents increment on H.R., NoVA and the I-81 counties will go statewide on 7-1-2020.

If the bill is signed into law.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
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Beltway

Quote from: 1 on March 23, 2020, 02:40:19 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 02:30:58 PM
Quote from: 1 on March 23, 2020, 01:57:50 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 01:55:17 PM
If the motor fuel taxes passed by the GA are signed into law, they will be paying 17 cents per mile gallon more after July 2021.
That would be more than doubling the current price of gas. Are you sure about this?
Yes.  5 cents more on 7-1-2020, another 5 more cents more on 7-1-2021.
The 7 cents increment on H.R., NoVA and the I-81 counties will go statewide on 7-1-2020.
If the bill is signed into law.
Per mile or per gallon?
GALLON ... I will fix the posts...
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

sprjus4

^

With a gas tax increase of that amount, one would hope significant progress is made along corridors such as I-81 in the next decade.

Beltway

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 03:07:22 PM
With a gas tax increase of that amount, one would hope significant progress is made along corridors such as I-81 in the next decade.
Of course it will, and likely get at least part of I-73 under construction in the 2020s.

But at what cost?  Raising road use taxes is one of the few things that you and I would support from this regime, but that number is uncomfortably large IMO.

Currently per gallon:
Gasoline    Sixteen and two-tenth cents (0.162)
Diesel       Twenty and two-tenths cents (0.202)

The 0.5% sales tax increment that is dedicated to highways provides the effect of another about 5 cents per gallon.

One of the bills will provide a Central Virginia Transportation Authority that will be able to impose local taxes and project funding along the lines of the authorities in H.R. and NoVA.

I suppose the Roanoke-Salem-Blacksburg region could conceivably have one of these.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

AcE_Wolf_287

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 04:45:21 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 03:07:22 PM
With a gas tax increase of that amount, one would hope significant progress is made along corridors such as I-81 in the next decade.
Of course it will, and likely get at least part of I-73 under construction in the 2020s.

But at what cost?  Raising road use taxes is one of the few things that you and I would support from this regime, but that number is uncomfortably large IMO.

Currently:
Gasoline    Sixteen and two-tenth cents (0.162)
Diesel       Twenty and two-tenths cents (0.202)

The 0.5% sales tax increment that is dedicated to highways provides the effect of another about 5 cents per gallon.

One of the bills will provide a Central Virginia Transportation Authority that will be able to impose local taxes and project funding along the lines of the authorities in H.R. and NoVA.

I suppose the Roanoke-Salem-Blacksburg region could conceivably have one of these.

Do you think if Virginia had a turnpike or a tollway, they would have the necessary funding for I-73 if thats the problme they need, and if your talking about raising gas prices, i dont know if doing that may be a good idea but you never may never know how it could help out!

Beltway

Quote from: AcE_Wolf_287 on March 23, 2020, 04:48:01 PM
Do you think if Virginia had a turnpike or a tollway, they would have the necessary funding for I-73 if thats the problme they need, and if your talking about raising gas prices, i dont know if doing that may be a good idea but you never may never know how it could help out!
Toll-assisted funding can be utilized on a project if they want.

I-73 could have something like that, say if 2/3 came from road use taxes and 1/3 came from toll revenue bonds.  Keep the toll down to a reasonable level.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

VTGoose

Quote from: AcE_Wolf_287 on March 23, 2020, 04:48:01 PM
Do you think if Virginia had a turnpike or a tollway, they would have the necessary funding for I-73 if thats the problme they need, and if your talking about raising gas prices, i dont know if doing that may be a good idea but you never may never know how it could help out!

While funding is an issue, the bigger problem is finding a route between Roanoke and Martinsville. The earlier study looked at a variety of locations that all had problems of one type or another -- terrain, development in the way, etc. It may be that by the time funds might be available, the need for the road will be obsolete.
"Get in the fast lane, grandma!  The bingo game is ready to roll!"

sprjus4

^

I believe AcE_Wolf_287 was more or less saying if Virginia had an existing turnpike, could utilizing toll revenue collected on that facility help to fund the construction of I-73?

Strider

Quote from: VTGoose on March 23, 2020, 08:38:13 AM
Quote from: Strider on March 22, 2020, 11:59:31 PM
I am just glad that VDOT is working on it. Once MSC is finished, hopefully they can incorporate it into I-73 (I know they will). Between Martinsville and Roanoke.. who knows. Maybe they're just taking it slow. As of Roanoke area, I-581 is already there, but it is now a placeholder for I-73. They can change signage from I-581 to I-73 if they want to.

I look forward to attend to more meetings about MSC once the coronavirus outbreak slows down.

Tagging I-581 as anything more than "Future I-73" accomplishes nothing. There is a large gap between VA 419 and Martinsville that will require new highway on new right of way. Between the expense of that, the resistance of people in the area, and the pressing needs to fix I-81, this highway will remain in the "fictional" realm for a long time.

Bruce in Florida (temporary relocation from Blacksburg, waiting on a new grandchild)

Resistance of people in the area? Okkkkkay. Go to the workshops and tell me I am wrong. I-73 is no longer in fictional realm. It already exists in NC.

Beltway

Quote from: VTGoose on March 23, 2020, 07:54:57 PM
While funding is an issue, the bigger problem is finding a route between Roanoke and Martinsville. The earlier study looked at a variety of locations that all had problems of one type or another -- terrain, development in the way, etc. It may be that by the time funds might be available, the need for the road will be obsolete.
They could simply use the last officially approved corridor, if the western alternates have more problems than they would alleviate.
. . . .
https://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/I-73_Map_December_2012.jpg
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

Beltway

Quote from: Strider on March 23, 2020, 08:04:53 PM
Resistance of people in the area? Okkkkkay. Go to the workshops and tell me I am wrong. I-73 is no longer in fictional realm. It already exists in NC.
I-73 is a worthy addition to the Interstate system, between SC I-95 and VA I-81.

North of there, I will leave that to those states to evaluate.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

sprjus4

#789
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 08:51:31 PM
Quote from: Strider on March 23, 2020, 08:04:53 PM
Resistance of people in the area? Okkkkkay. Go to the workshops and tell me I am wrong. I-73 is no longer in fictional realm. It already exists in NC.
I-73 is a worthy addition to the Interstate system, between SC I-95 and VA I-81.
How about the segment between I-95 and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina?

While South Carolina has also not completed any of the I-73 corridor, their highest priority is this segment over the piece between Rockingham and I-95.

The major purpose of I-73 between I-95 and I-81 would be serving movements from Greensboro along with the towns along the way. Thru I-95 to I-81 traffic already has I-77 as a connecting piece. Though, it would help to supplement the I-77 corridor, notably during peak weekends, bypassing Charlotte and Columbia traffic congestion. The routing of I-73 along the western loop completed in 2009 around Greensboro is a high-capacity 8-lane freeway that has adequate capacity for decades to come, and the area as a whole does not face nearly the amount traffic congestion that Charlotte and Columbia face. I'd say the biggest issue with I-73 in Greensboro is continuity, particularly with the southern interchange with I-85 / I-73 with northbound traffic currently utilizing a single-lane 25 mph loop.

sprjus4

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 08:48:34 PM
Quote from: VTGoose on March 23, 2020, 07:54:57 PM
While funding is an issue, the bigger problem is finding a route between Roanoke and Martinsville. The earlier study looked at a variety of locations that all had problems of one type or another -- terrain, development in the way, etc. It may be that by the time funds might be available, the need for the road will be obsolete.
They could simply use the last officially approved corridor, if the western alternates have more problems than they would alleviate.
. . . .
https://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/I-73_Map_December_2012.jpg
From what Henry County and Martinsville have said, there were more wetland / environmental impacts associated with the eastern alternatives over the favored western alignment. Not to mention, a completed north-south freeway built near interstate standards is in place on the western side that is only existent on the eastern side south of US-58.

Beltway

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 09:10:44 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 08:48:34 PM
They could simply use the last officially approved corridor, if the western alternates have more problems than they would alleviate.
From what Henry County and Martinsville have said, there were more wetland / environmental impacts associated with the eastern alternatives over the favored western alignment. Not to mention, a completed north-south freeway built near interstate standards is in place on the western side that is only existent on the eastern side south of US-58.
Yeah, you have said that many times.  Another poster cited problems with the western routes that might hinder getting them approved, so I cited the already NEPA approved route.

Fact is the western routes didn't survive the NEPA process 2005-2012, for whatever reasons some may think valid or not.  Henry County and Martinsville apparently didn't make a good case back then for a western route.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

Beltway

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 09:01:00 PM
The major purpose of I-73 between I-95 and I-81 would be serving movements from Greensboro along with the towns along the way.
I-73 is far enough east of I-77 that it would be its own corridor. 

The Roanoke-Salem and Greensboro areas would be major metros that would have Interstate service connecting to I-95 and I-81, plus there are a few smaller cities along the way.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

sprjus4

#793
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 09:59:18 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 09:01:00 PM
The major purpose of I-73 between I-95 and I-81 would be serving movements from Greensboro along with the towns along the way.
I-73 is far enough east of I-77 that it would be its own corridor.
For traffic bound between I-95 North to I-81 North, the I-73 and I-77 / I-26 corridors offer the same distance for the connection. With I-73 completed, both corridors would offer equal travel times and distances. I-73 would certainly help to draw traffic off of I-77 / I-26, notably during peak travel times.

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 09:59:18 PM
The Roanoke-Salem and Greensboro areas would be major metros that would have Interstate service connecting to I-95 and I-81, plus there are a few smaller cities along the way.
True on both points, though Greensboro would benefit the largest for access to I-95 South and I-81 North. The construction of I-73 south of Greensboro over the past 20 years and continuing today with the upcoming Rockingham Bypass has already greatly improved this connection, bypassing small towns and providing a 4-lane corridor and will only enhance once South Carolina builds their portion, again bypassing the remaining small towns and completing the 4-lane connection. Roanoke-Salem already has direct access to I-81, and to I-95 South via I-77 / I-26. Like my comment above, I-73 would provide a second option to I-95 South.

sprjus4

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 09:53:30 PM
Yeah, you have said that many times.  Another poster cited problems with the western routes that might hinder getting them approved, so I cited the already NEPA approved route.

Fact is the western routes didn't survive the NEPA process 2005-2012, for whatever reasons some may think valid or not.  Henry County and Martinsville apparently didn't make a good case back then for a western route.
It's already been said a new NEPA process would be required for any portion of I-73 north of Martinsville to update information.

If the Martinsville Southern Connector is constructed as currently planned, the likelihood of an eastern route being revived would be minimal. They already dismissed the eastern route options for the MSC due to the main traffic movement (US-220 north) not being served / would be circuitous.

Beltway

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 10:10:31 PM
It's already been said a new NEPA process would be required for any portion of I-73 north of Martinsville to update information.
Has that been stated by VDOT and FHWA?  They have a mass of data already assembled that could be used in an EIS Reevaluation or expedited new EIS

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 10:10:31 PM
If the Martinsville Southern Connector is constructed as currently planned, the likelihood of an eastern route being revived would be minimal. They already dismissed the eastern route options for the MSC due to the main traffic movement (US-220 north) not being served / would be circuitous.
The way in which the ALC balloons eastward south of US-58, the recommended MSC would not necessarily form a longer route if I-73 followed US-58 east of the city.
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)

sprjus4

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 10:23:58 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 10:10:31 PM
It's already been said a new NEPA process would be required for any portion of I-73 north of Martinsville to update information.
Has that been stated by VDOT and FHWA?  They have a mass of data already assembled that could be used in an EIS Reevaluation or expedited new EIS
Why was the Martinsville Southern Connector EIS completely redone from scratch, despite the original EIS covering that area?

Roadsguy

I just noticed in the DEIS design for the MSC northern terminus interchange that the ramps carrying US 220 aren't even two lanes...
Mileage-based exit numbering implies the existence of mileage-cringe exit numbering.

Strider

Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 08:51:31 PM
Quote from: Strider on March 23, 2020, 08:04:53 PM
Resistance of people in the area? Okkkkkay. Go to the workshops and tell me I am wrong. I-73 is no longer in fictional realm. It already exists in NC.
I-73 is a worthy addition to the Interstate system, between SC I-95 and VA I-81.

North of there, I will leave that to those states to evaluate.

Yeah, I agree. Between I-81 in Roanoke and I-95 or Myrtle Beach is a worthy addition. That is where I want to see I-73 built. It doesn't need to go north of Roanoke, but it has been in the plans for years.

Beltway

Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 10:26:49 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 23, 2020, 10:23:58 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 23, 2020, 10:10:31 PM
It's already been said a new NEPA process would be required for any portion of I-73 north of Martinsville to update information.
Has that been stated by VDOT and FHWA?  They have a mass of data already assembled that could be used in an EIS Reevaluation or expedited new EIS
Why was the Martinsville Southern Connector EIS completely redone from scratch, despite the original EIS covering that area?
As said before, FHWA identified the MSC project as one that would meet the One Federal Decision (OFD) Executive Order, August 2018.  One of the first uses of that process, there have been only 3 so far in the nation. 

* Study initiated in early 2018 to analyze Improvements to U.S. Route 220 between the North Carolina State line and U.S. 58 south of Martinsville
* FHWA has identified the study as one of three that will comply with the One Federal Decision (OFD) Executive Order
* OFD applies time limits on study activities and results in permits being issued during the study phase


http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/resources/2019/may/pres/2.pdf
http://www.roadstothefuture.com
http://www.capital-beltway.com

Baloney is a reserved word on the Internet
    (Robert Coté, 2002)



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