1958 - U.S. 220 Hookup Study Urged

[NW Mailing List]

Roanoke Times - February 22, 1958

U.S. 220 Hookup Study Urged

Grade Crossing Elimination Urged

  City Engineer H. C. Broyles has proposed a re-study of the downtown 
segment of the proposed U.S. 220 throughway from the south end of 
Hunter memorial Bridge to Franklin road bridge for the purpose of 
possibly eliminating the Tazewell avenue grade crossing.
   In a letter to be submitted to City Council Monday by City Manager 
Arthur S. Owens, Broyles suggests that the Norfolk and Western 
Railway be asked to bear half the estimated $3,000 cost of the new 
engineering studies.
   A preliminary re-study has already been made by the Engineering 
Department and it has been found that considerable work, including 
additional field surveys, will be required in order to make an 
intelligent and proper analysis of the grade crossing problem.
   Due to the heavy work load that is imposed on his department, 
Broyles pointed out, it is felt that this is a problem that will have 
to be worked out beyond the normal city working hours.
   He suggested that the restudy be made by the department personnel 
on the same basis as the preliminary survey study for the north-south 
throughway south of the viaduct, and the employes have agreed to the 
undertaking.
   The final plans for the throughway provided for four-lane traffic 
over the Tazewell avenue crossing, with the throughway spanning the street.
   Broyles recalled that there was dissatisfaction at a public 
hearing on the plans because the proposed improvements failed to 
provide what was considered the necessary outlet for the southeast area.
   Council has the throughway plans under study and the Department of 
Highways, which has approved them, has done some preliminary 
programming with the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, but the entire 
project hinges on Council's decision.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link