I want to thank those that attended the public hearing and sent in emails, however I wish more of you would have participated.
 
Here's a Freelance Star link semi-reporting on the River Crossing Public Hearing.
 
https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/rappahannock-river-crossing-study-advances-to-federal-phase/article_6f259512-f426-11ed-9d13-5b9ed6070eaa.html  
 
Once again the Freelance Star is not reporting that I and over 4,600 River Crossing Supporters exist. I started the petition on Election day 2019 when I collected over 700 signatures on a paper petitions in 7 hours at the Hartwood precinct. Since then the online petition has grown to almost 4,000 for over 4,600 signatures, but in 3.5 years the Freelance Star has not acknowledged that we exist.
 
The meeting went as expected when you have 5 different Road Corridor options, with some directly impacting peoples homes. A 6th option was presented at the hearing that looped around the Small 25 house England Run Lane neighborhood. I can't blame them from showing up in force to the hearing, when the other option would directly impact ZERO houses. In order to qualify for Federal funding many options have to be studied, but when you have 5 options you end up getting 5 times the opposition, especially if houses are directly impacted.
 
Four people spoke in favor of a river crossing. I saw a few other supporters at the meeting, but I think they were intimidated by the emotions in the room and ended up not speaking. I have also been contacted by a few supporters that live at Celebrate Virginia. I believe they are also intimidated to show support.

After the hearing the FAMPO policy Committee voted 7 to 2 to advance the river crossing to the next phase.

Here's my speech that wasn't reported.

 
I'm Joe Brito of Stafford. I represent over 4,600 people that want a New North to South Road Built with a Trail that includes a river crossing.

Our region has a weak Transportation Grid with only two main North to South Roads that have 16 lanes combined. We have 10 East To West Road that have 34 lanes. 16 Main North to South Lanes verses 34 East to West Lanes. That's a significant North to South Lane deficit.

We need alternate Routes to get us out of Gridlock. A new Bridge is the first step. No build is not an OPTION. The Gridlock is hurting businesses, Costing our Region Millions in Lost Revenue and deteriorating our quality of life.

You must move forward with a New River Crossing. 78% of respondents to the FAMPO SURVEY indicated they were in favor of a River Crossing. No Elected Official in this room received 78% of the vote.

Connecting the Population Centers to the Destination, Recreation, Medical and Work Centers with the shortest possible Routes is Smart Planning. It will provide a high time saving factor.

If the average Driver can save 3 miles of driving for 25,000 cars per day it will massively reduce driving and Air Pollution in our Region by 75,000 miles per day, while reducing congestion on our existing Roads. The Traffic Modeling shows the new bridge will reduce driving in our region by as much as 300,000 miles per day in the year 2050.

Linking the Transportation and Trail grid system together with 5 Existing Roads to form a City Grid System with many Alternate Routes is Needed for our Region. Traffic will naturally flow to Alternate Routes to avoid the most congested areas of Route 3, Route 17, Route 630 and Route 1.

Maximizing the Use of over $100 M of Underutilized Infrastructure gives us more Bang for the Buck to get us out of Gridlock.

Improving Fire and Rescue Transport Times to avoid the Falmouth Intersection can't be overstated.

Building the New Bridge to provide an Alternate Route before the Falmouth Bridge Reconstruction is a must. Ambulances use the Falmouth bridge on a Daily Basis. We have to mitigate the impact of the Falmouth Bridge reconstruction, before Construction Starts.

Building a Road with a Trail Network that can be Utilized as the East Coast Greenway Trail will promote Tourism and Economic development. The Trail keeps up with the future Demand of electric Bikes, Scooters and Wheel Chairs.

Building the road and trail network in conjunction with the FRED Bus service, so as they compliment and enhance each other Checks off two FAMPO Goals # 5: Plan for and establish a multi-modal transportation system that supports the economic vitality of the region.

Goal 6: Provide multi-modal transportation options that enhance the quality of life and improve mobility for vulnerable groups such as, minority, low-income, seniors, and limited mobility groups.

The new road should include bus stop lanes next to the trail and bike racks.

I want to thank those that attended the public hearing and sent in emails, however I with more of you would have participated.
 
Here's a Freelance Star link semi-reporting on the River Crossing Public Hearing.
 
https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/rappahannock-river-crossing-study-advances-to-federal-phase/article_6f259512-f426-11ed-9d13-5b9ed6070eaa.html 
 
Once again the Freelance Star is not reporting that I and over 4,600 River Crossing Supporters exist. I started the petition on Election day 2019 when I collected over 700 signatures on a paper petitions in 7 hours at the Hartwood precinct. Since then the online petition has grown to almost 4,000 for over 4,600 signatures, but in 3.5 years the Freelance Star has not acknowledged that we exist.
 
The meeting went as expected when you have 5 different Road Corridor options, with some directly impacting peoples homes. A 6th option was presented at the hearing that looped around the Small 25 house England Run Lane neighborhood. I can't blame them from showing up in force to the hearing, when the other option would directly impact ZERO houses. In order to qualify for Federal funding many options have to be studied, but when you have 5 options you end up getting 5 times the opposition, especially if houses are directly impacted.
 
Four people spoke in favor of a river crossing. I saw a few other supporters at the meeting, but I think they were intimidated by the emotions in the room and ended up not speaking. I have also been contacted by a few supporters that live at Celebrate Virginia. I believe they are also intimidated to show support.

After the hearing the FAMPO policy Committee voted 7 to 2 to advance the river crossing to the next phase.

Here's my speech that wasn't reported.

 
I'm Joe Brito of Stafford. I represent over 4,600 people that want a New North to South Road Built with a Trail that includes a river crossing.

Our region has a weak Transportation Grid with only two main North to South Roads that have 16 lanes combined. We have 10 East To West Road that have 34 lanes. 16 Main North to South Lanes verses 34 East to West Lanes. That's a significant North to South Lane deficit.

We need alternate Routes to get us out of Gridlock. A new Bridge is the first step. No build is not an OPTION. The Gridlock is hurting businesses, Costing our Region Millions in Lost Revenue and deteriorating our quality of life.

You must move forward with a New River Crossing. 78% of respondents to the FAMPO SURVEY indicated they were in favor of a River Crossing. No Elected Official in this room received 78% of the vote.

Connecting the Population Centers to the Destination, Recreation, Medical and Work Centers with the shortest possible Routes is Smart Planning. It will provide a high time saving factor.

If the average Driver can save 3 miles of driving for 25,000 cars per day it will massively reduce driving and Air Pollution in our Region by 75,000 miles per day, while reducing congestion on our existing Roads. The Traffic Modeling shows the new bridge will reduce driving in our region by as much as 300,000 miles per day in the year 2050.

Linking the Transportation and Trail grid system together with 5 Existing Roads to form a City Grid System with many Alternate Routes is Needed for our Region. Traffic will naturally flow to Alternate Routes to avoid the most congested areas of Route 3, Route 17, Route 630 and Route 1.

Maximizing the Use of over $100 M of Underutilized Infrastructure gives us more Bang for the Buck to get us out of Gridlock.

Improving Fire and Rescue Transport Times to avoid the Falmouth Intersection can't be overstated.

Building the New Bridge to provide an Alternate Route before the Falmouth Bridge Reconstruction is a must. Ambulances use the Falmouth bridge on a Daily Basis. We have to mitigate the impact of the Falmouth Bridge reconstruction, before Construction Starts.

Building a Road with a Trail Network that can be Utilized as the East Coast Greenway Trail will promote Tourism and Economic development. The Trail keeps up with the future Demand of electric Bikes, Scooters and Wheel Chairs.

Building the road and trail network in conjunction with the FRED Bus service, so as they compliment and enhance each other Checks off two FAMPO Goals # 5: Plan for and establish a multi-modal transportation system that supports the economic vitality of the region.

Goal 6: Provide multi-modal transportation options that enhance the quality of life and improve mobility for vulnerable groups such as, minority, low-income, seniors, and limited mobility groups.

The new road should include bus stop lanes next to the trail and bike racks.