Resident warns of perilous junction

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: June 19, 2008

Reva resident Justin Embrey knows first hand about the dangers that could occur while driving through one of Culpeper’s busiest intersections.

His brother-in-law Joshua Lee Burke, 22, and Victoria Ashley Burke both of King George were killed Sept. 1 during Labor Day weekend following a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of U.S. 29 and Alanthus Road in Brandy Station.

A tow truck northbound on U.S. 29 plowed into their 2003 GMC Chevy pickup truck, Embrey said, leaving the couple’s 3-month-old daughter an orphan and his family in “total dismay.”

Their backseat passenger, John Ifiah Lizotte — who was ejected and found on the median — was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital for his injuries.

Today, Lizotte receives daily medical assistance from his mother and a medically trained professional.

This fatal wreck occurred within minutes of the proposed overpass at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Route 666 where the county’s new high school, Eastern View, opens this fall. The thought of novice motorists driving to get to class frightens school officials to no end.

But a slowing economy, decreasing revenues and increasing maintenance costs has forced the Virginia Department of Transportation to put the brakes on a number of highly anticipated road projects in Culpeper.

Three major Culpeper projects have been put on hold following funding constraints: the proposed $35.7 million interchange near the intersection of the ominously named Route 666 and U.S. 29, the outer loop that would potentially connect U.S. 522 and Rixeyville Road and the third phase of the Route 3 widening project in Stevensburg.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board announced its approval for a $10.1 billion six-year transportation program Thursday for Virginia’s 2009-14 six-year program geared toward public transportation, rail and highway projects starting July 1.

That’s a $1.1 billion funding shortfall statewide over the next six years impacting nearly 600 projects in Virginia — including previous six-year programs and candidate proposals shared in a series of public town hall meetings held last fall.

“I think it is ridiculous that they are going to postpone the overpass that is planned,” Embrey wrote Thursday afternoon via e-mail.

“How many people have to be killed crossing this stretch of road before they will decide to delegate funds from another area to preserve the future: our children?” Embrey posed. “I have lived in this county my entire life and I can not believe how things are being handled here anymore. I am ashamed of our leadership in this state to allow things like this to be put off or even canceled.”

However, local officials have worked tirelessly to get that overpass project underway.

The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors passed two separate resolutions — one in November and the other in May — in support of moving the Route 3 funding to the interchange at Route 666 and U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor’s $2 million earmark request in 2005 is the main reason the current improvements are taking place.

“Culpeper County made a strong push this year for the interchange at Route 15/29 and (Route) 666. That project is extremely important with Eastern View High School Opening this fall,” said Culpeper County Planning Director John Egertson.

“It is unfortunate that the VDOT six-year improvement plan was subject to significant cuts, which will delay projects throughout the state,” he added.

According to Egertson, John “Butch” Davies, Culpeper’s CTB representative, has fought hard over the years for the $35.7 million overpass.

“And I thank him for his efforts,” Egertson added. “We have other projects in the plan, but this year, and probably until it is completed, we will be focused on the interchange at Green’s Corner (Route 666).”

Pierce R. Homer, Virginia secretary of transportation, said VDOTs focus for this year’s program is not to add any new projects.

“It is about making difficult choices in the face of a $1.1 billion revenue shortfall,” said Homer. “Because of falling revenues and a slowing economy, we must focus only on safety and projects that we can advance through the pipeline to make the most of the funds we have available.”

“The majority of the projects in the plan are targeted to much-needed bridges, pavement rehabilitation projects and safety programs. We have to make tough decisions about what projects we can afford,” Homer added.

The Code of Virginia requires the commonwealth to adopt an annual six-year improvement program by July 1 based upon the most recent official transportation revenue estimates issued by the Department of Taxation.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .