No Bypass or no Western Bypass?

Are PEC, SELC and CATCO really against the bypass because it is a costly, environmentally damaging road? 

If so, then why do these organizations support the Meadowcreek Parkway, particularly phase II of the parkway? According to VDOT, the MCP phase II, (which is very similar to bypass alternative 7a – differing only in its northern termination with Rt 29), is more environmentally damaging, impacts more archaeological sites and takes less traffic off Route 29 than the proposed 29 bypass*. Wouldn’t it make sense to oppose both roads and insist that both be removed from the TIP?

While the MCP phase II may be more environmentally damaging than the bypass, it does not threaten any wealthy western Albemarle neighborhoods. Instead, it runs through wetlands and a City park. Unlike the bypass, there is no well funded opposition, willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to stop the MCP. 

STAMP applauds the efforts of Western Albemarle neighborhoods to stop the bypass, and encourages them to look beyond their backyards, towards the good of the entire community. 

Environmentalists must work together to stop both bypasses and focus transportation improvements in the exiting route 29 corridor.

*From “VDOT RT29 Environmental Impact Statement”, approved 12/14/92	
	Alternative 10	Alternative 7a	
Reduction of traffic on RT29 in cars per day	10600 to 14000	700 to 4300	
Number of wetland sites impacted	3	4	
Number of streams crossed	13	27	
Number of floodplain areas crossed	4	9	
Total acres of habitat rated “high value” impacted	91.7	193.9	
Archaeological sites impacted	2	16	
Ranking of alternatives for greatest noise impact	Fourth highest	Highest