ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210030
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
The state wants to know how to upgrade the route.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has begun a study to determine whether the "TransAmerica Corridor" would be a practical investment.
The study will evaluate the existing highways that would be used to link Beckley, W.Va., Roanoke, Lynchburg, Petersburg and Virginia Beach. The roads in question are Interstate 64 from Beckley to Clifton Forge, U.S. 220 from Clifton Forge to Roanoke, and U.S. 460 from Roanoke to Virginia Beach, VDOT said.
"The purpose of the study is to define what it would take to develop an upgraded highway between Beckley and Virginia Beach," Fred Altizer, administrator of VDOT's Salem district, said Thursday.
The 18-month, $544,500 study, being conducted by Michael Baker Jr. Inc., a Virginia Beach consulting firm, will focus on environmental impact, socioeconomic data, engineering possibilities, traffic counts and estimated cost, VDOT said.
"We are going to take a broad look at existing roads, not create specific plans for construction. That step would come much later, if at all," Altizer said.
There is no construction funding for the TransAmerica Corridor in Virginia, he said.
VDOT said public comments on the roadway will be a key part of the study. The consulting firm will establish a telephone hot line and use VDOT's Internet Web site - www.vdot.state.va.us - to provide and receive information. Public information meetings also will be held in the corridor study area.
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