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Resident urges thorough no-build analysis of proposed Rappahannock River crossing; FAMPO vote advances project to NEPA phase
Summary
A resident urged the board to press FAMPO for a full assessment of a proposed Rappahannock River crossing and to evaluate a no-build alternative. Board reports later noted FAMPO voted 9-1 for an option C and that the project will move into the NEPA study phase.
During public presentations, resident David Caprera urged the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors to press the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) to fully analyze a no-build alternative for a proposed Rappahannock River crossing west of I-95. Caprera cited a national report ranking the Rappahannock among endangered rivers and said a major bridge crossing could harm the river, increase traffic on Route 3 and the River Road corridor, and affect scenic and historic resources.
Caprera thanked Supervisor Lori Hayes and the board for prior attention to the issue and urged the board to reinforce concerns during an early August vote on the proposed FAMPO budget that Caprera said could cost "nearly up to $300,000,000." He asked that FAMPO staff be instructed to assess a no-build alternative upfront to benchmark impacts and possibly save taxpayer money.
In board reports later in the meeting, Supervisor Laurie Marshall (FAMPO chair) said the FAMPO board voted 9-1 in favor of option C and indicated the project will move into the NEPA (environmental) phase for further study and environmental review. Marshall and other supervisors indicated they would continue to seek funding and regional support for the county's priorities related to the crossing and noted the NEPA phase does not guarantee construction.
The board took no formal local action on the river crossing at this meeting beyond the public comment and subsequent board reports about FAMPO's action.
