He added after the meeting that a bypass would also hinder his ability to sell his property should he choose to leave because of the project.

“I can’t sell my house,” he said. “I’m going to be stuck.”

Officials from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the county have taken heat from the community for what some have seen as a lack of communication about the project.

Emily Stock, manager for rail planning at the department who presented an overview of the project, began her presentation by acknowledging that more could have been done to involve Hanover residents in the planning process.

“I understand that the process that we’ve used to inform and involve the community and the local governments has not gone far enough — especially in Hanover,” she said. “I apologize for that.”

In response to a question from Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, Stock said all congressional offices located “in the alignment” of the track were notified.

“The 1st Congressional District is in there. You have not contacted my office,” he said to applause from the audience.

He added that citizens and the county are owed cost analyses.