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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993                   TAG: 9310280132
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

U.S. 58 NEEDS A NARRATOR AS IT CROSSES STATE

The U.S. 58 Talking Highway is looking for a Voice of Virginia that will give motorists a running narrative along the 508-mile highway.

The talking highway is a series of low-powered radio transmitters that will provide information about the area motorists are driving through, said Connie Gendron, executive director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History. The museum is sponsoring the project.

"It will be the world's longest talking highway," Gendron said. "It will be the story of the natural resources and historic highlights" from Cumberland Gap to Virginia Beach.

The system is similar to one in New Mexico that has actor Ricardo Montalban To nominate a narrator for the highway, write to The Voice of Virginia, The Virginia Museum of Natural History, 1001 Douglas Ave., Martinsville 24112. explaining the sights.

"We are hoping the public will the Voice of Virginia," Gendron said.

Nominees include NBC "Today" show weatherman Willard Scott, a Northern Virginia native; singer-songwriter Roy Clark, who grew up in Southside, and actors and Virginia sometime-residents Richard Gere, Sissy Spacek and Alan Alda.

The talking highway would have about 25 transmitters. Signs would tell drivers to tune in to an AM frequency on their radios. They would be able to hear the three- or four-minute message at least twice before passing out of range.

"We are hoping to have fairly continuous coverage," Gendron said. "There are a lot of things out there that people aren't aware of. Our hope is to get tourists to consider Route 58 the highway of choice through Virginia."

The state Transportation Board last week approved initial financing to plan and design the talking highway. Gendron said the board is expected to approve in April the $491,000 needed to build the system.

\ To nominate a narrator for the highway, write to The Voice of Virginia, The Virginia Museum of Natural History, 1001 Douglas Ave., Martinsville 24112.

by CNB