George-

Given the growth in local traffic and massively increased development along US 29 north of where the Western Bypass is due to come back to US 29, the proposed by-pass will do little to speed traffic through Charlottesville.

The cost of such a short route, which will do very little for through traffic, even if there were funds to start construction now, make it a very suspect use of scarce road-building funds.

Moreover, the connection between such a road and potential employment benefits is not borne out by analysis.

What is needed is a new north south alignment east of Charlottesville. Butch Davies seems to have the most workable idea.

Al Weed (electronic mail, February 6, 2004)