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Local Projects in Transportation Bill ; Airport Connector Road and Road-Widening Near Biotech Park Attain Federal Funding

Posted on: Monday, 1 August 2005, 03:00 CDT

A highway and transit bill passed by Congress would bring $8.6 million for a Richmond International Airport connector road and $3.4 million for widening several streets in the Virginia Biotechnology Park downtown.

James B. Donati, chairman of the Capital Region Airport Commission, said the connector road -- between the Pocahontas Parkway and Richmond airport -- is an important part of helping the airport grow by providing greater access to a growing customer base from the region.

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, said the Biotechnology Park funding would help improve interstate access, reduce congestion and support new traffic flow to the research park.

Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder hailed passage of the funding bill as "a tremendous step forward" when it comes to preparing for what he called an upcoming boom in activity around the research park.

The $286 billion highway and transit Measure also would provide $5 million for a new GRTC Transit System bus facility and $1.6 million for work on the Mayo Bridge.

It would provide $5.4 million for transportation projects in preparation for the 400th anniversary in 2007 of Jamestown's founding.

The bill would provide $937 million per year in highway funding for Virginia.

A total of $5 million would go for widening U.S. 17 in Stafford County and $2.09 million for fixing an overpass at the Fredericksburg train station that has dropped chunks of concrete onto a sidewalk below.

Other projects include $800,000 for widening state Route 10 in Chesterfield County from U.S. 1 to Meadowville Road and $1.6 million to improve the Interstate 95 interchange at Temple Avenue in Colonial Heights.

The bill authorizes $800,000 for transportation-related improvements at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond; $800,000 for reconstruction of the entranceway to Montpelier, the home of President James Madison, in Orange County; and $6.4 million for rebuilding the Robertson Bridge in downtown Danville.

Details about the individual projects were announced by lawmakers who pressed for funding, including Sens. John W. Warner and George Allen, Virginia Republicans; and Cantor, J. Randy Forbes, R-4th, Jo Ann Davis, R-1st, and Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-5th.

Source: Richmond Times - Dispatch

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