A Sea Of Red

Interesting article from WDBJ7 on Lynchburg's transportation issues in relation to attracting businesses. Not really anything in depth or unknown but an interesting read:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/off-the ... y/38156484

Interestingly, NC seems to have no problems growing their network of Interstate highways. I think the dependence on highways has declined in the last ten years due to people's fuel costs. Virginia has seen a decline in gas tax revenue over the same period, adding to the state's lack of appetite for infrastructure development.

We will never get a Costco until we get an interstate. <Hangs Head>

rogers3 wrote:Interestingly, NC seems to have no problems growing their network of Interstate highways. I think the dependence on highways has declined in the last ten years due to people's fuel costs. Virginia has seen a decline in gas tax revenue over the same period, adding to the state's lack of appetite for infrastructure development.

Yea there seems to be quite the contrast between how the two states do things, and the results obtained. Heck, even just look at the population numbers of Richmond vs Charlotte since 1970. Very telling. But definitely is interesting. Never knew we were the largest city in VA without an interstate. Sad title I suppose.

rhezick wrote:

rogers3 wrote:Interestingly, NC seems to have no problems growing their network of Interstate highways. I think the dependence on highways has declined in the last ten years due to people's fuel costs. Virginia has seen a decline in gas tax revenue over the same period, adding to the state's lack of appetite for infrastructure development.

Yea there seems to be quite the contrast between how the two states do things, and the results obtained. Heck, even just look at the population numbers of Richmond vs Charlotte since 1970. Very telling. But definitely is interesting. Never knew we were the largest city in VA without an interstate. Sad title I suppose.

Be careful when comparing cities in VA and any other part of the country. In nearly every other state, actual cities can annex land and expand, but in VA they're independent and cannot expand their borders. Your point still stands and is valid, but its probably better to compare the metro areas as a whole rather than just the actual cities. Just wanted to throw that out there.

Interstate 64 was supposed to go thru Lynchburg, but politics got involved and they ran it thru Charlottesville.

The thing that hurts Lynchburg, is the number of traffic lights on U.S. 29 north of Charlottesville. If I were Governor, I would order VDOT and the National Guard to remove everyone of them. This would open up a north-south trade and travel route thru Central Virginia. Heck, it would help most of the east coast.
U.S. 29 north of Charlottesville is a disgrace to the entire state.

Our beloved governor dropped the final hammer on the proposed C-ville bypass when he took office, IIRC. I don't think any thing will happen there any time soon. That was probably Lynchburg's best hope of having an interstate come through.

He had to placate the locales that got him elected up north.

ATrain wrote:

rhezick wrote:

rogers3 wrote:Interestingly, NC seems to have no problems growing their network of Interstate highways. I think the dependence on highways has declined in the last ten years due to people's fuel costs. Virginia has seen a decline in gas tax revenue over the same period, adding to the state's lack of appetite for infrastructure development.

Yea there seems to be quite the contrast between how the two states do things, and the results obtained. Heck, even just look at the population numbers of Richmond vs Charlotte since 1970. Very telling. But definitely is interesting. Never knew we were the largest city in VA without an interstate. Sad title I suppose.

Be careful when comparing cities in VA and any other part of the country. In nearly every other state, actual cities can annex land and expand, but in VA they're independent and cannot expand their borders. Your point still stands and is valid, but its probably better to compare the metro areas as a whole rather than just the actual cities. Just wanted to throw that out there.

True, although more so because of the moratorium established in 87 on further annexation I believe but yes the metro would be a better indicator. The metro for both areas in the 70's were actually on par. Now, Richmond's metro stands at 44th (next to Raleigh-Cary) and Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia at 22nd. Heck Mecklenburg county is about as populous as the entirety of Richmond's MSA.

Humble_Opinion wrote:He had to placate the locales that got him elected up north.

As far as I know, it was only Charlottesville people who were against the by-pass. NoVa and certainly this area were for it. And a lot of state money had been spent studying and planning it.

Perhaps another difference Richmond and Charlotte: NC revamped their banking laws in the 70's, so when federal deregulation came about, their banks bought Virginia banks. NC also had the foresight to create the Research Triangle which enabled the Raleigh region to surpass Richmond as well.

alabama24 wrote:We will never get a Costco until we get an interstate. <Hangs Head>

Hey. We were the first city in America to get a Cracker Barrel not located off an Interstate. Have faith!
There was also a time we were the largest city in America, not just Va, without an Interstate

Purple Haize wrote:

alabama24 wrote:We will never get a Costco until we get an interstate. <Hangs Head>

Hey. We were the first city in America to get a Cracker Barrel not located off an Interstate. Have faith!
There was also a time we were the largest city in America, not just Va, without an Interstate

That last one is a myth, kind of like how Demoss wasn't strong enough to support any weight on the 3rd and 4th floors.

the 3rd and 4th floor still aren't strong enough. The building will collapse any day now!!!!

I'm not a business man and never have pretended to be (despite getting an MBA), but why is having an interstate so important to businesses?

Interstates are important because normally a large number of vehicles pass thru daily, and commerce is easier with interstates for tractor trailers carrying cargo.

I was once told that the huge Walmart Distribution Center near Petersburg would be in Lynchburg if we had an Interstate.

ATrain wrote:

Purple Haize wrote:

alabama24 wrote:We will never get a Costco until we get an interstate. <Hangs Head>

Hey. We were the first city in America to get a Cracker Barrel not located off an Interstate. Have faith!
There was also a time we were the largest city in America, not just Va, without an Interstate

That last one is a myth, kind of like how Demoss wasn't strong enough to support any weight on the 3rd and 4th floors.

things had to be reinforced when the decision was made to place brick all the way up. Someone still has the email somewhere