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Since the Kings Highway
Bridge closed on March 19th 2005, over 3,000 commuters has paid over 3
million dollars ($3,000,000) in gas at an understated $2.25 a gallon. I purchased gas today for $2.89 per gallon and
often as much as $3.00 a gallon. This does not include additional vehicle
wear and tear or the enormous financial impact on the businesses on
both sides of the bridge that rely heavily on these commuters to support
their businesses.
VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) said we won't see a new
bridge for at least 10 years and the commonwealth transportation board
said that we are a low priority for a new bridge.
We propose that the demolition of the KHB is not an adequate solution to
our transportation problem. We would like a solution now, not 10 years
from now.
Citizens are willing to pay a toll to cover the repair cost and the
demolition of the KHB will cost over a million dollars.
We propose repairing the bridge and limiting the traffic to lightweight
vehicles (3-5 tons), or bring in a movable bridge, which we believe
will cost more.
For
the first time in three hundred years our two historic villages of
Driver and Chuckatuck have been severed. In 1702 the Sleepy Hole Ferry
connected our villages and the ferry was used until the Kings Highway
Bridge was built in 1928. The Kings Highway Bridge is a historical
landmark and is one of a handful of swing span bridges that are still in
existence today.
We
want to work with the city of Suffolk for a solution and not advocate
the demolition of our treasured landmark.
We
have a great deal of support from our communities to solve this problem
for both the citizens and businesses.
WE WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT NOW!!
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