ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996                  TAG: 9606210030
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

THE END IS IN SIGHT

LENGTH: Short :   21 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  GENE DALTON/Staff. The yearlong widening of Virginia 177
          - the 'Gateway' connector between Radford and Interstate 81 in 
          Montgomery County - to a four-lane divided highway is nearing 
          completion. Last week one of the new eastbound lanes was opened to 
          traffic and the road should be fully passable in mid-July, according
          to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Completion of the 
          widening project is a key to development efforts in the corridor, 
          which leads to the site of Carilion Radford Community Hospital's 
          proposed new facility south of I-81. color.