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Pending the signature of Gov. Northam, Arlington officers may have the ability to rename Lee Freeway (U.S. Route 29) as they see match throughout the county’s borders.
In an nearly however not fairly party-line vote, the state Senate voted 22-17 in help of the measure giving Arlington energy over the roadway’s identify. All Democrats and Sen. William Stanley (R-Glade Hill) voted to help it.
Arlington leaders object to the identify due to its connection to Accomplice Gen. Robert E. Lee.
The laws, patroned by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-McLean-Arlington), earlier handed the Home of Delegates on a largely party-line 58-41 vote. It applies solely to Arlington, to not some other jurisdiction.
Beneath state legislation, solely the Common Meeting or Commonwealth Transportation Board has the ability to vary the names of most major roadways. A number of years in the past, the Commonwealth Transportation Board acceded to a request of the Arlington authorities to vary the identify of Jefferson Davis Freeway (U.S. Route 1) to Richmond Freeway inside Arlington’s borders.
Arlington’s part of U.S. Route 29 stretches about 5 miles from Rosslyn to East Falls Church earlier than persevering with west and south to Danville, a complete of 248 miles in Virginia from the Key Bridge to the North Carolina line.
Sullivan’s measure would require the Arlington authorities, if it adjustments the identify, to reimburse the Virginia Division of Transportation for the price of all new signage.