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299 <br /> <br /> Regarding the Locust Avenue and Park Street bridges, Mr. Tolbert said that the <br />railing has been changed and lighting added, but they will be no wider. <br /> <br />There was agreemem that Hillsdale Drive should be a priority. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he agrees that Hillsdale Drive is a priority, but said he does not <br />understand why there is no funding. <br /> <br />Mr. Rue said he was shocked by that as well and will be workktg on it. <br /> <br /> Mr, Lynch said the MPO is cominuing to ask for the flexibility of using urban <br />funds for transit operations. <br /> <br /> MS. Richards said that she is not aware of any districts that have been able to use <br />urban funds for transit operations, and that they have only used the funds for capital <br />purposes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox suggested that Council agree to a percentage of urban funds it would like <br />to use for transit operations. <br /> <br /> Regarding Route 29 North intersection improvements, Mr. Caravati said he thinks <br />the Route 250 Bypass and Emmet Street intersection should also be a part of the study of <br />the intersections. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards noted that Council previously adopted a resolution withdrawing the <br />grade separated interchange at Hydraulic and Route 29, and this would have to be <br />rescinded in order to have the area studied. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said the major concerns about the grade separated interchange was <br />that it was massively overdesigned and would have a major economic impact on City <br />businesses. Mr. Toscano said that if it is studied, the economic impacts will have to be <br />studied as well. Mr. Toscano said he also feels that if Council is going to bring this issue <br />up again that it should have a public hearing on it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that the best thing to be done is to improve the efficiency of Route <br />29, and he would like to really look and see if a grade separated interchange can be built <br />there. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said a study needs to include other options than just grade separated <br />interchanges, such as other types ofimprovemems. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he is frustrated with the time it takes to get VDOT to conduct a <br />study, and asked whether it would be possible for the City to conduct the study, <br />especially in light of the proposed Sperry project, and get reimbursed by VDOT. Mr. <br />Cox asked if Council is prepared to study the issue independent of VDOT. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch said he thinks we should pursue the matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that perhaps such a study could qualify for strategic investmem <br />funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said we may want to look at the entire stretch of Route 29, and perhaps <br />eliminate some traffic lights or say that no more will be installed. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said she thinks Council needs to think further about these issues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said that all of these things have a cost, and if City funds are used it <br />will take away from other needs. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati agreed. <br /> <br /> <br />