Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)

H.B. Elkins <hbelkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Speaking of I-64, the alignments in West Virginia and Virginia are a prime
> example of what you're talking about. Dipping 60 miles south on I-77, then an
> eastward stretch and a 30-mile northward job on I-81, before heading southeast
> again, is poor design.
>
> What should have been done was to have I-64 follow the alignment of I-79 east of
> Charleston to near the US 19 exit at Sutton (Exit 57) then have the route head
> southeast through the general vicinity of Webster Springs and Cass to Staunton,
> Va., where it could pick up the current alignment east of I-81.

I disagree. No such alignment was ever considered feasible, for several
reasons. Those sections of WV and VA are some of the most remote and
scenic areas of those states, with some of the highest and most rugged
terrain in those states, and the amount of long curves and doglegs would
be similar to or greater than the historical, saving little or no
distance, and the historical puts 5 small cities along I-64 that would
not be near a Sutton-Staunton route, which would serve no major towns
between Sutton and Staunton.

Highland County VA is often called the "Little Switzerland", and its
residents would have on balance strongly opposed such an I-64 route
which would have cut right through that county. US-250 in that county
is very lightly traveled to this day, while US-60 was a busy highway
through Clifton Forge, Covington and Lewisburg, even before I-64 was
(rightly) built through there.

--
Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Interstates that may have been poorly routed (Long)
    ... >> Speaking of I-64, the alignments in West Virginia and Virginia are a prime ... where it could pick up the current alignment east of I-81. ... Virginia and in West Virginia up to Sam Black Church (where the road ... Corridor L from Sutton to Beckley, with the corridor level road running ...
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