Map of the possible loop road. See more images from
VDOT's plan.

Six years ago VDOT held two public hearings
on a proposal to build a beltway around Harrisonburg. Public sentiment was overwhelmingly against this road project. With approximately 1,800
in attendance only three people spoke in favor of the road. At one of those public hearings VDOT employ-
ees were overheard discussing the crowd’s oppos-
ition saying, “Meetings like this are great! They give people a chance to blow off steam and get everything
off their chests. In three or four months, this will all die down and we’ll be able to get on with doing what we
want to do.” Now, six years later, VDOT is hoping
public sentiment has changed.

If you were not able to attend the hearing on May 11, send your comments to VDOT!
Comment Deadline: May 26, 2006
Comments to:
Christopher Collins
Environmental Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

More information on the message we want to send to VDOT.

See VDOT's candidate alternatives map.

Other ways to express your opposition:

1. Write or call Governor Kaine. Ask him to direct VDOT to eliminate the Harrisonburg bypass from I-81 plans, to work within the existing highway right of way, and to consider lower cost, lower impact alternatives to the bypass and major highway widening. Go to his website or call 804-786-2211.

3. Write to VDOT Tell officials you want lower cost, lower impact alternatives to the bypass and major highway widening. Make official comments here.

More News

I-81: Nearly 300 Attend Bridgewater Hearing, 90% Oppose I-81 Widening!
Rockingham residents, poultry farmers, former General Assembly members and more turned out last night in Bridgewater to oppose VDOT's massive I-81 plans. More

Hear Kim Sandum of CAP and Trip Pollard of the Southern Environmental Law Center on WMRA's Insight radio show.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement released 3-30 for the Southeast Connector (aka the Loop Road). Read the statement. To see a newsclip from WHSV-TV, go to their website, scroll down to Featured Videos, and click on Southeast Connector.

Large-scale development in McGaheysville considered at a public meeting Wednesday, March 22. Learn more

CAP sends a letter to the Washington Post on how VDOT could save billions by dropping its plans for an I-81 monstrosity. Read.

CAP sends a letter to the Rockingham Board of Supervisors 3-22. Read.

VDOT Suggests new route for I-81 AROUND Harrisonburg Proposed Beltway in Rockingham could be I-81
I-81 Study Released 11.29.05
See Shen. Valley Network Release & Study

Map of Proposed Beltway in Rockingham County
Data from proposed Harrisonburg-Rockingham MPO Vision Plan

To Be or NOT TO BE, that is the Question!

VDOT wants you to choose between several bad ideas, Please share your opinion that we don't need a loop road, beltway, alternative I-81 or a SE connector.

Thanks to the over 225 people who came to the Public hearing Speaking Against a Beltway Around Harrisonburg!     

They are proposing at least one full loop around Harrisonburg - East, West, North & South sides! 
See the Map and Click Here for more information.

Links

Check out Recent News Stories

The Daily News Record

Rail Solutions

VDOT's version of Loop Road website

Current contact info for MPO input
(click on Harrisonburg)

VDOT website on I-81

CAP is a member of Shenandoah Valley Network, which sent Congress a letter on I-81 with Virginia Trucking Association and Virginia Manufacturers Association. Read Letter

The Community Alliance for Preservation is a community group formed due to the amount of concern in Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg regarding the proposed loop road. Their goal is to protect the quality of life in the area.