A Most Unwelcome 'Bypass' Proposal
On November 6th, 2006 a private transportation consultant firm hired by Prince William and Fauquier Counties released a preliminary draft study of the 'Buckland Bypass', a road that would connect Fauquier commuters on Route 29 to Route 66 while bypassing Gainesville. All three 'Bypass' options as presented by the firm, Rinker Design Associates, cross directly through the heart of Stoney Lonesome Farm.
The 'Buckland Bypass' would plow through the middle of our fields and our main pond, a critical source of irrigation water for us as we expand in the future. Given that we can hear a rooster from far across the valley on the other side of Broad Run, you can imagine the deafening, rumbling noise pollution that this road will mean for all residents in this valley. Add to this the exhaust fumes, oil and other toxic runoff, and the road will have a terrible impact on the quality of life here, not to mention the quality of the drinking water in Lake Manassas, which eventually feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.
More about our Farm, the Broad Run Valley, and the Importance of Local Food
Our farm is nestled in the Broad Run valley-a special place of incredible beauty, with thick forests, flood plains, and farmland.
Local families and citizens value the food we grow on our farm because we raise it in a clean, natural manner. While we are not "Certified Organic", our customers know our practices and value the sheltered environment our farm represents, away from major roads and pollutants. We are certain that this road would have a severely negative impact on our family farm business, if not destroy it outright.
Our farm currently provides vegetables to 75 families, but we have the potential on this land to grow food for several hundred families. Numerous farms with less acreage have CSA programs of this size. We have the land and community demand for this type of larger program, but currently we are focused in strengthening all aspects of our CSA program before expanding.
Potential future food production on our farm and adjacent farmland is an important concept to consider, because the proposed 'Bypass' cuts through one of the few remaining agricultural areas immediately accessible to local folks in the Gainesville area.
"Food Security" is an increasingly relevant topic gaining attention
in the wake of high energy prices and food distribution scares. One of the most
effectie ways to provide food to citizens in the event of national distribution
shortages is a viable network of local food production on local farm land. This
has been a major focus of mine as Director of the Local Food Project at Airlie
Center. The conclusion of much of my research is that we need to preserve and
protect remaining local farmland now, for an uncertain future.
Questioning the Merits of the Proposed Bypass
A main argument for the 'Buckland Bypass' is to preserve an architecturally and historically significant bridge over Broad Run at Buckland (currently beneath Rt.29), which was an innovative transportation solution at the time of its original construction. It is ironic that the effort to preserve this innovative historical bridge has focused on a transportation solution that completely lacks innovation - the 'Bypass' not only destroys a critical agricultural and environmental area, but directs East-bound commuters further West on Rt. 66.
Proponents of the 'Buckland Bypass' have argued that it would be a cheaper solution to the traffic problems affecting Gainesville than widening Rt.29. The preliminary draft study conducted by Rinker Design Associates says otherwise - each of the three 'Buckland Bypass' options would cost well over two hundred million dollars to build, while the widening of Rt.29 would cost less than half the amount of the Bypass.
In addition to the exorbitant price tag of the 'Bypass', daily expenses will be passed on to commuters. Because all three proposed 'Bypass' routes land East-bound commuters West of Haymarket on Rt. 66, the 'Buckland Bypass' would add several miles to daily round-trips, and the added gas costs this detour represents. Further, there is strong discussion of making the Bypass a toll road.
Because all 'Buckland Bypass' traffic would still end up on Rt. 66, there is zero evidence that the 'Bypass' would lower commute times. If anything, this new road would simply encourage more "extreme commuting", a phenomena researched and documented in a pile of studies. When new roads are built, more cars quickly appear. More people decide to live further away from offices and work sites, more developments get the green light, etc.
Will the 'Buckland Bypass' pave the way for more development in rural Fauquier
and Culpeper Counties? You can bet on it.
What We Need
We need innovative transportation solutions to local traffic woes. We need to look beyond the worn-out mantra of "More Lanes & Roads Will Solve Our Problems" - akin to "More Gasoline will Put Out this Fire".
We need good, energy-efficient design for county and regional development, operating in concert with a public transportation system that moves citizens quickly and affordably through the region. County, State and Federal officials put off a more effective public transportation system, arguing that such a system is cost-prohibitive. But so is three to four dollar/gallon gas. A public transportation system that effectively connects commuters from exurban town centers to suburban and metro town centers is a wise investment for the future.
Last, we need leaders who will stand up for public transportation and local farmland - the two are most certainly connected. No new road is cheap to build anymore, and for Stoney Lonesome Farm, the proposed 'Buckland Bypass' is most costly. The 'Bypass' would cost this farm its future.
You can be assured that we will fight this 'Bypass' proposal with our CSA members and others who care about our farm, local farmland, and local food. Your concern for the well-being of our farm and life here is sincerely appreciated. If all of us do something to voice our concerns, we believe that common sense will prevail in this matter.
Sincerely,
Pablo & Esther Elliott
More Info on the Bypass Proposal
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site of the proposed 'Bypass' - our main pond.