The Virginia Department of Transportation wants to build a two lane road alongside existing Route 340, beginning about four tenths of a mile inside the Warren county line, and extending more than 20 miles into Page County.  Long term plans call for taking up the old road when construction of the new is completed, and then, in about 20 years, turning the two lanes into four.

But residents of the area say they don't want their rural character and layers of history plowed under just so trucks can go a little faster.  And they don't want to become another Fairfax County.  So they have formed an alliance called Scenic Route 340, and are circulating a petition to stop the department from going ahead with its plan, while they are going door to door to make local residents aware of what is happening.

According to VDOT's own figures, the road is already as safe or safer than most other roads of its size.  The Department's $26 million plan is based on the outmoded idea that "bigger is better, faster is better" and is inherently flawed, say the members of Scenic Route 340.  Their goal is to have VDOT consider alternative ways to upgrade the highway without losing its rural and historic character and scenic beauty.

The contact for the Scenic 340 Project is Christine Andreae, 367 Overall Road, Bentonville, VA  22610
Fax:  (540) 635-8187, Email:  andreae@rma.edu.

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