It may take a while to recoup the money, but I think it can be economically valid. The tour included a look at the facility's control tower and a bus ride through its rain-making machines.
Scientists have about eight years to do experiments on the road full time.
The road's second phase, which includes Virginia's highest bridge, is under construction over Wilson Creek and the Ellett Valley and is due to be completed in the fall. It's well ahead of that pace because the nation's carmakers are contracting out their research and development projects to independent facilities such as Tech's, Dingus said. The institute has about 133 employees, including 90 part-time Tech students. Former Roanoke County Supervisor Dick Robers, who first proposed the highway in 1989 after reading an article in The Wall Street Journal, attended Thursday's tour. Robers said the project's environmental and financial costs have been worth it.