Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 5, 1993                   TAG: 9308050141
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: STEVE KARK CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

SUPERVISORS ENDORSE I-73 PLAN

They passed a resolution Tuesday endorsing the concept of building Interstate 73, a new road that would link Detroit, Mich., and Charleston, S.C.

The resolution recommends that the proposed highway follow the path of U.S. 460 from the West Virginia border near Bluefield through Giles and Montgomery counties. At Christiansburg it would follow the path of Virginia 8 through Montgomery and Floyd counties to the North Carolina border.

Although both West Virginia and North Carolina have publicized the routes that the proposed highway would take through those states, the Virginia Department of Transportation has not formally considered a route for the proposed highway.

I-73 is part of the 1991 federal highway act, a long-term plan that would create a national highway system that would expand on the interstate system. There is no direct interstate link between the Midwest and the Southeast.

West Virginia already has been granted money toward the project, which is known in transportation circles as the brainchild of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. Transportation officials in West Virginia and North Carolina estimate that it could be built as early as 2010.

Supervisor Samuel "Ted" Timberlake said the county wanted to demonstrate its unity with other counties along this proposed route. The Floyd County supervisors endorsed the same route July 19, and the Giles action followed Floyd's request for support.

Montgomery County supervisors have not discussed the route.