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 New River Bridge-Tunnel Debates BeginJenn Peterson | Staff Writer 
Radford and Pulaski government officials have been in debate over plans to
build a
bridge tunnel for the New River. The debate stemmed from shipping
and freight companies complaining that they couldn't send their larger
boats down the New
River due to the size of Memorial Bridge, which connects
Radford to Fairlawn.
The bridge is currently used by commuters and is an important part of commuting in this area. Many Radford students depend on this bridge every day for commuting and getting around the area. At recent negotiations, an idea was proposed that a bridge-tunnel should be built for the New River. This would allow commuters to get to the other side of the river and would also allow larger ships to easily sail down the river. The plans are simple: this bridge-tunnel will be similar to the one in the Chesapeake Bay. It will start out as a bridge, go down into a tunnel under the river and then rise up into a bridge again. The plan is still under heavy negotiation. If the proposal passes, a one-man company called Billy Bob's construction will get the contract, and it will cost taxpayers $180 million or more, depending on how well Billy Bob can learn how to use the cement mixer. Construction would begin this summer with a planned completion date of Fall 2010. While the bridge-tunnel is under construction, a ferry will be used to transport commuters across the river for $40 each way. City officials in Radford and Pulaski hope the bridge-tunnel will improve commerce in the area and possibly upgrade Radford's image as a small town to a riverside trading hub. Responses: Refresh frame to view latest entries.
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