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

DATE: TUESDAY, September 28, 1993                   TAG: 9309290339
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley Bureau
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

CHRISTIANSBURG DMV EXPANSION PLANNED

The Christiansburg office of the Department of Motor Vehicles may be expanded by more than 1,600 feet by next fall.

DMV officials say the expansion is necessary because of extremely crowded conditions at the Virginia 114 location, which was built in 1976. The present building is 2,670 square feet.

Expansion plans are in a very preliminary stage, said Jeanne Chenault, a DMV spokeswoman in Richmond. Plans are being developed now, with a goal of completing construction next summer or in the fall of 1994.

Chenault said the expansion is necessary because the number of customers served at the branch is increasing. During fiscal 1993, 143,031 transactions occurred at the branch. That ranks as the 28th busiest of 76 branches, Chenault said.

The expansion will increase customer service areas, administrative areas and general storage space.

According to a proposed project description submitted to the New River Valley Planning District Commission, the driveway on the west side of the building will be eliminated to make room for the addition. Existing handicapped parking spaces will be relocated and expanded so they are closer to the main entrance off Virginia 114, eliminating a drive around the building for handicapped people.

by CNB