For Immediate Release
January 22, 2004

PROPOSED OUTER CONNECTOR BELTWAY
AT CHANCELLORSVILLE IS DEFEATED

Regional transportation organization rejects the controversial highway project by a vote of 9-to-1

(Chancellorsville, Va.) - At a public hearing on Wednesday, the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) voted to eliminate the controversial Outer Connector beltway project from its long-range transportation plan. The Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield released the following statement in the wake of the overwhelming, 9-to-1 vote:

"When the Chancellorsville Coalition was formed in 2002, its member groups identified the Outer Connector beltway around Fredericksburg as one of the principal threats to the integrity of the battlefield. On Wednesday evening, that threat was finally and decisively eliminated.

"The Chancellorsville Coalition opposed the Outer Connector for several reasons. If constructed, the beltway would have cut a swath through the Mullins Farm property, the scene of fighting on May 1, 1863. Further, a highway interchange planned for the intersection of Route 3 (the historic Orange Turnpike) and the Outer Connector would have placed enormous development pressures on the battlefield.

"The Coalition refused to be deceived by Outer Connector proponents who falsely portrayed the beltway as a "parkway" that would attract little or no additional development.

"On December 10, 2003, members FAMPO dealt the Outer Connector a substantial defeat by voting to remove it from the region's 20-year transportation plan. Six weeks later, on January 21, 2004, Chancellorsville Coalition members showed up in force for a public hearing on the fate of the Outer Connector. By a vote of 9-to-1, the Outer Connector, like the Dogwood Development Plan that proceeded it, was overwhelmingly defeated.

"The Chancellorsville Coalition intends to continue working with county officials, local residents, and park service personnel to further protect the battlefield. In addition, we hope that landowner John Mullins will reconsider plans to develop the May 1, 1863 battlefield. The Coalition believes that a compromise deal can be reached that both protects the property and assures Mr. Mullins a substantial return on his investment."

The Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield is an informal group of 12 national and local preservation, conservation and civic groups representing more than 600,000 members nationwide. The coalition is dedicated to preserving and protecting Chancellorsville battlefield. Its website is located at www.chancellorsville.org.

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Contact: Jim Campi of the Civil War Preservation Trust at 202-367-1861 x205.