Opponents of an Interstate 73 project list social, environmental and cultural reasons against the highway. Here's a sampling of the groups and their concerns.
NO EASTERN CORRIDOR
Blue Ridge Concerned Citizens oppose the eastern corridor and want I-73 to go through Roanoke on Interstate 581.
The eastern corridor:
- Probably would connect with Interstate 81 at Daleville, already the second busiest interchange on I-81. I-73 would just make traffic worse.
- Would affect a rural lifestyle in Blue Ridge.
- In Bedford and Botetourt counties, could harm one endangered species, the smooth coneflower. Harm also is possible to one threatened species, the Virginia sneezeweed.
- Would disturb historical buildings, including the original spring house from the Blue Ridge Springs resort, dated from the middle to late 19th century.
NO WESTERN CORRIDOR
The I-73 Regional Impact Network opposes the western corridor in Roanoke County and wants the road to follow I-581 through Roanoke.
Environmental concerns:
- The Roanoke River, home of endangered Roanoke logperch and exclusive home of the orangefin madtom would be disturbed by construction and catch runoff from I-73.
- The piratebush has been found by biologists in the Twelve O'Clock Knob area in Roanoke County. This parasite, which grows on pine trees, is listed statewide and globally as an endangered species. It was recently found in the western corridor, and VDOT said the corridor would be adjusted because of this plant.
JUST IMPROVE U.S. 220
Virginians for Appropriate Rural Roads wants to improve U.S. 220 instead of building a more invasive interstate.
Environmental concerns:
- The eastern cougar has reportedly been seen in Southwest Virginia. But there hasn't been a confirmed sighting in more than 100 years, said the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Information Service. The group says sightings justify considering cougars in the environmental impact study.
- The Indiana bat is on the federal endangered list. More than 200 of them live in a cave in Bland County, according to a consultant hired by the Sierra Club. None is known to live in counties along the I-73 study area, but the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service says the bat could be present in Botetourt and Roanoke counties.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the threatened bald eagle nests in and around the Chesapeake area. It has been seen in Roanoke, Franklin and Bedford counties, the group says.
- The black vulture and turkey vulture are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The I-73 study area is heavily populated by turkey vultures.
- American ginseng is present through the I-73 study area. It is listed on the Convention for International Trade and Endangered Species.
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