Many opponents of the Western Bypass now approved U.S. 29 want the next project's environmental review to take a fresh look at how the four-lane highway that affect the health of students attending various schools along the right of way.
Many residents have risen so much, and rejected the environmental health concerns related to the bypass during the public hearings this month.
Although not addressed by Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization before its 3-2 vote to authorize 6. 2 miles of the road Wednesday, the issue is expected to be closely scrutinized as part of the final road design and construction.
"Current information, based on relatively recent studies shows that children whose homes and schools are near highways have a higher long-term cases of respiratory illness and learning disabilities," said county resident Beth Kuhn Albemarle in the July 20 meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
A pdf "target =" _blank "> Environmental Impact Statement approved by the Federal Highway Administration in 1993 evaluated near the highway road to Albemarle High School, Jack Jouett Middle School and Mary Greer Elementary School.
However, the document states the road "does not directly impact any of these schools" even though the road would be between 600 feet and 1200 feet of two schools.
A supplemental environmental impact statement in 2002 used the same language. Since then, Agnor-Hurt Elementary opened in the Berkmar Drive near the bypass route. The southern terminus also cover more ground around St. Anne-Belfield School.
Dr. Charles Bättig, a retired anesthesiologist and defender of the ring road, said: "The danger is in the dose."
"Yes, there are plenty of nasty compounds in the environment, many of them turn out to be natural," said the MPO Bättig Wednesday after several speakers described health problems. "The fact that you can name 100 different chemicals in your body does not mean they are poisonous."
Dr. Thomas Platt Millls directs the division of allergy and immunology at the University of Virginia Department of Medicine. He said scientists now have a better understanding of how air pollution can cause asthma and other respiratory diseases.
"The evidence that having children attending schools near motorways has increased very significantly over the past 10 years," said Platt-Mills. "The data is clear that this is a real risk and should not be done without thinking about it."
Kuhn and others, appealed to the CTB to delay the vote until more research could be conducted.
"Currently about 4,000 children attend these schools," said Kuhn. "Many of these students spend their entire K-12 education in the vicinity of the road."
Walmsley Cooper, who works at VDOT "s section of the environmental review, said the CTB that he expects the Federal Highway Administration to request a re-evaluation before the project can go to the building.
"We have an environmental approval, but the time has passed so we think we want an environmental assessment FHWA," said Walmsley. "The goal will be to decide if another impact statement is required. "
Doug Hecox, an official release from the Federal Highway Administration, said the environmental impact statements are only valid for three years if no major steps to advance the road project have occurred. After that time, a written reevaluation of the EIS is necessary.
"An EIS for this project was completed and signed, and an additional EIS was signed in 2003," Hecox said. "We have to go back and re-evaluate in writing that both the EIA and supplemental EIS are still valid or if changes have occurred in the area, changes in neighborhoods and changing traffic patterns. "
Hecox said the re-evaluation to look at whether new tests to ensure effective mitigation measures in place and the project is well planned as possible.
Scott Vande Pol, a pathologist at the University of Virginia, who lives in Lamb Street, said the environmental review must take into account the effect of air pollution in school children.
"Previous environmental assessments have not addressed this issue," said Vande Pol. "The impact statements only refer to what we are mandated to address. For example, they have to face the endangered species, use of agricultural land and historic properties. But they do not address the health of children. "
Supervisor Rodney L. Thomas , who voted in favor of the road as one of the representatives of Albemarle MPO, said he will push the issues of school to be evaluated as part of the project's environmental assessment.
"I'll be an advocate for sound barriers to reduce the impact on schools and property," said Thomas.
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