Why are there 2 freeways running from I-81 to Blacksburg, VA?

[bugo]

The 2013 Rand McNally atlas shows a completed freeway from I-81 to Blacksburg, and an under construction freeway that is being built just to the east.  Why are they building another freeway?  Is the old one substandard?  I can't imagine why Blacksburg, VA needs 2 parallel freeways.

[NE2]

Google "Smart Road".

[broadhurst04]

To handle traffic from VA Tech, perhaps? Especially on football game days.

[Beltway]

The 2013 Rand McNally atlas shows a completed freeway from I-81 to Blacksburg, and an under construction freeway that is being built just to the east.  Why are they building another freeway?  Is the old one substandard?  I can't imagine why Blacksburg, VA needs 2 parallel freeways.

Google "Smart Road".

It is complete and not under construction, albeit not open to public traffic.  Sometime in the future it will be dualized and extended to I-81, and it will be part of I-73.

The existing highway is the US-460 Christiansburg-Blacksburg Bypass.

[74/171FAN]

The 2013 Rand McNally atlas shows a completed freeway from I-81 to Blacksburg, and an under construction freeway that is being built just to the east.  Why are they building another freeway?  Is the old one substandard?  I can't imagine why Blacksburg, VA needs 2 parallel freeways.

Google "Smart Road".

It is complete and not under construction, albeit not open to public traffic.  Sometime in the future it will be dualized and extended to I-81, and it will be part of I-73.

The existing highway is the US-460 Christiansburg-Blacksburg Bypass.

People at Virginia Tech are saying that this will be done within the next 20 years.  Personally I am not so sure about that unless its a toll road and with the US 460 Bypass I would never consider using it in that case.

[Beltway]

People at Virginia Tech are saying that this will be done within the next 20 years.  Personally I am not so sure about that unless its a toll road and with the US 460 Bypass I would never consider using it in that case.

It would reduce the distance by about 40% between the two end points of the completed 5.7 mile Smart Road.  The I-81 southerly traffic accessing US-460 would still connect directly to US-460, but the I-81 northerly could use the Smart Road.

[hbelkins]

The 2013 Rand McNally atlas shows a completed freeway from I-81 to Blacksburg, and an under construction freeway that is being built just to the east.  Why are they building another freeway?  Is the old one substandard?  I can't imagine why Blacksburg, VA needs 2 parallel freeways.

The US 460 bypass had just been completed when I went to a week-long grant writing seminar in Blacksburg in the spring of 2003. They did not even have all the overhead guide signs installed.

I always thought that area would be a great place for a road meet. It would be nice if someone in the area could arrange a meet that involved a tour of the Smart Road. Plus, Christiansburg used to be full of cutouts and unisigns that would be eye candy for sign geeks. If Michael Summa still lives in the area, he possibly could join in. He'd certainly be a guest of honor. 

[mgk920]

The 2013 Rand McNally atlas shows a completed freeway from I-81 to Blacksburg, and an under construction freeway that is being built just to the east.  Why are they building another freeway?  Is the old one substandard?  I can't imagine why Blacksburg, VA needs 2 parallel freeways.

Google "Smart Road".

It is complete and not under construction, albeit not open to public traffic.  Sometime in the future it will be dualized and extended to I-81, and it will be part of I-73.

The existing highway is the US-460 Christiansburg-Blacksburg Bypass.

Google Maps aerial images shows this road, including an impressive viaduct bridge, with a turnaround loop at each end, as though it is currently being used as a test track.

Interesting.

Mike

[hbelkins]

Google Maps aerial images shows this road, including an impressive viaduct bridge, with a turnaround loop at each end, as though it is currently being used as a test track.

Interesting.

Mike

That's basically what it is. They can create various weather scenarios on it (fog, etc.) to test out vehicular features.

[Beltway]

It is much more than a "test track".

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/constsal-smartrdoverview.asp

[1995hoo]

To handle traffic from VA Tech, perhaps? Especially on football game days.

Cows and sheep don't need freeways!

[amroad17]

To handle traffic from VA Tech, perhaps? Especially on football game days.

Cows and sheep don't need freeways!

Only near Lancaster, PA.