Should a tunnel connect Loudoun and Montgomery counties?

WASHINGTON – For decades, there has been talk of a second Potomac River crossing. But what about a tunnel that would connect Va. 28 in Loudoun County with Interstate 270 in Montgomery County?

{#Tunnel Poll}Virginia Delegate Randy Minchew, a Republican who represents part of Loudoun County, has floated the idea. He requested the state study the idea when he asked the state to study a bridge across the river.

The proposal – so far – hasn’t gained any traction. In fact, nobody is endorsing it.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has opted to avoid the idea, sending it back to a committee.

Extending Va. 28 would mean the road would run through a hazardous waste dump in Loudoun County. On the Montgomery County side, the road would have to cross through an agricultural preserve.

With traffic constantly congested and more people crossing state lines to work, Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio says a tunnel should be studied.

“Is there a godly way to do what is common sense? Logic?

“This will take many decades of understanding of what needs to be, what can’t be and what must be,” he says.

WTOP’s Hank Silverberg contributed to this report. Follow Hank and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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