I-73 in VA

[WillWeaverRVA]

I moved the WillWeaverRVA's post here on I-73 being discussed by the CTB next week.  However, if anyone wants to discuss the other items in the general Virginia thread (such as the Powhite Parkway), please do so.

That's what I happens when I don't look hard enough for the existing topic. 

[The Ghostbuster]

I have the feeling that constructing Interstate 73 within the state of Virginia was always a pipe dream, even though I think it should eventually be done. Since environmental studies were completed, no movements have been made towards the corridor (since it ranks at the bottom of viable projects, and still faces strong opposition as well), and I doubt the CTB meeting will change anything.

[PColumbus73]

I have the feeling that constructing Interstate 73 within the state of Virginia was always a pipe dream, even though I think it should eventually be done. Since environmental studies were completed, no movements have been made towards the corridor (since it ranks at the bottom of viable projects, and still faces strong opposition as well), and I doubt the CTB meeting will change anything.

Taking the whole Michigan - South Carolina route into consideration, the Virginia section is rather pointless. Why take I-73 and make a hard right-angle turn in Roanoke when you could shave time and distance by using I-74 / 77?

Assuming I-73/74 north of West Virginia officially dies, I see the potential for I-73 to create a simplified connection between I-81 & 95, without the climb that I-77 does in Fancy Gap. If they changed the narrative of I-73 from 'connecting the Great Lakes to the Ocean' to 'Taking through traffic off of I-95 and out of Richmond and DC', maybe it would sell better?

[WillWeaverRVA]

I have the feeling that constructing Interstate 73 within the state of Virginia was always a pipe dream, even though I think it should eventually be done. Since environmental studies were completed, no movements have been made towards the corridor (since it ranks at the bottom of viable projects, and still faces strong opposition as well), and I doubt the CTB meeting will change anything.

Indeed, the presentation about I-73 is now up and the recommendation is to rescind CTB's approval of the I-73 corridor pending a new EIS. This ain't happening.

[plain]

I-73 in Virginia makes since only south of Roanoke, as it would connect that city (and I -81 of course) to the Triad. But building it would be very difficult, as been pointed out countless times already.

North (West ) of Roanoke is pointless, unless there's a desire to connect Roanoke to the WV Tpk directly. I don't see the need for that, not to mention it would be even more difficult to build such.

[vdeane]

Let's appreciate that the identified route for I-73 in VA doesn't include the Martinsville Southern Connector at all.  How wasteful.

[Henry]

I-73 in Virginia makes since only south of Roanoke, as it would connect that city (and I -81 of course) to the Triad. But building it would be very difficult, as been pointed out countless times already.

North (West ) of Roanoke is pointless, unless there's a desire to connect Roanoke to the WV Tpk directly. I don't see the need for that, not to mention it would be even more difficult to build such.

Roanoke got the easiest part out of the way when they built I-581. Building I-73 between there and Martinsville will definitely be a challenge, which is another reason to believe that the project was a bust from the start. Outside NC, nothing has been constructed so far, nor will it be for a very long time.

[sprjus4]

Let's appreciate that the identified route for I-73 in VA doesn't include the Martinsville Southern Connector at all.  How wasteful.

I-73 was studied first. The MSC came several years later, and in my opinion makes more sense even for the whole I-73 corridor between NC and Roanoke because it would use a good portion of the existing Martinsville bypass as opposed to building a new, parallel one.

The existing bypass is mostly interstate grade, only lacking the shoulders and maybe some geometric improvements in spot areas, but would be significantly cheaper to upgrade than bypassing it. It already handles a 65 mph speed limit.

[froggie]

Looks like the CTB is going to be discussing I-73 during their meeting next week.

Looking through the presentation, VDOT is recommending rescinding both the I-73 EIS and the HCA (Henry County Alternative alignment).  They'd have to redo the EIS at this point anyway since even the HCA was well over a decade ago.

Nevermind that, in the same CTB meeting, VDOT is recommending retention of the Martinsville Southern Connector project, which relocates US 220 mostly west of its existing alignment between the NC line and the Martinsville bypass.  If they're keeping the MSC, it's pointless to continue to recommend having I-73 go east of the city.

[MBHockey13]

Looks like the CTB is going to be discussing I-73 during their meeting next week.

Looking through the presentation, VDOT is recommending rescinding both the I-73 EIS and the HCA (Henry County Alternative alignment).  They'd have to redo the EIS at this point anyway since even the HCA was well over a decade ago.

Nevermind that, in the same CTB meeting, VDOT is recommending retention of the Martinsville Southern Connector project, which relocates US 220 mostly west of its existing alignment between the NC line and the Martinsville bypass.  If they're keeping the MSC, it's pointless to continue to recommend having I-73 go east of the city.

https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/07/16/commonwealth-transportation-board-revisits-routing-decision-interstate-73/

The board is now considering a recommendation to rescind the 2001 decision that established the corridor for I-73 in Virginia, and confirm the route for the Southern Connector, a new bypass around Martinsville.

Salem District Board Member Ray Smoot said he believes local officials and state lawmakers are on board with those recommendations.

"And that looking at ways that we can enhance transportation in ways that are perhaps fundable in the future and address much of the issues that are trying to be addressed is a good resolution," Smoot said.

Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin Co.) serves on the multi-state I-73 commission. He supports the Southern Connector, and said it could become part of I-73 in the future.


"I think building the Southern Connector first means that we're committed to I-73 over the long haul, but in the short term what we need is that connection between 58 Bypass and I-73 in North Carolina, so I'm not giving up hope," Stanley told WDBJ7 in an interview.

The Southern Connector will require hundreds of millions of dollars, but that's much cheaper than the billions needed for I-73.

[kernals12]

And the CTB has killed the routing of I-73.

[PColumbus73]

Not entirely surprising. So, does this effectively kill I-73 in VA, or is it an indefinite delay?

If it's the former, would this also kill I-74 in VA since the two are tethered together?

[WillWeaverRVA]

Not entirely surprising. So, does this effectively kill I-73 in VA, or is it an indefinite delay?

If it's the former, would this also kill I-74 in VA since the two are tethered together?

I-74 in Virginia is not related to I-73 in Virginia - it has an actual formal routing, overlapping I-77 from the NC state line to I-81. As a result, I-74 in Virginia is technically already finished despite being completely unsigned.

I-73 is effectively dead - CTB killed the routing because it's been way too long since all the relevant studies were done, and that process needs to start all over again. We're probably not going to see I-73 in Virginia during our lifetimes.

[PColumbus73]

Is the state specifically not interested in I-73, or is it more about favoritism toward DC and the eastern part of Virginia, or they simply have more pressing projects?

At this point, I think it's safe to refer to I-73/74 as solely Carolina interstates and merge them into one I-73 family with associated 3dis.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Is the state specifically not interested in I-73, or is it more about favoritism toward DC and the eastern part of Virginia, or they simply have more pressing projects?

At this point, I think it's safe to refer to I-73/74 as solely Carolina interstates and merge them into one I-73 family with associated 3dis.

Virginia has shown interest in I-73, and it chose a route back in 1994 that would have subsumed the US 460 freeway in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech's Smart Road, and I-581 in Roanoke, among others. Problem is, there is massive opposition to I-73 in Henry County and Martinsville, as well as in parts of Roanoke (the original proposed routing didn't use all of I-581), and this opposition stalled any attempts to design or build I-73.

At this point the only part of I-73 in Virginia that is likely to get built is the Martinsville Southern Connector, and even that has incredible amounts of opposition.

[sprjus4]

Is the state specifically not interested in I-73, or is it more about favoritism toward DC and the eastern part of Virginia, or they simply have more pressing projects?

At this point, I think it's safe to refer to I-73/74 as solely Carolina interstates and merge them into one I-73 family with associated 3dis.

Virginia has shown interest in I-73, and it chose a route back in 1994 that would have subsumed the US 460 freeway in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech's Smart Road, and I-581 in Roanoke, among others. Problem is, there is massive opposition to I-73 in Henry County and Martinsville, as well as in parts of Roanoke (the original proposed routing didn't use all of I-581), and this opposition stalled any attempts to design or build I-73.

At this point the only part of I-73 in Virginia that is likely to get built is the Martinsville Southern Connector, and even that has incredible amounts of opposition.

I'm not sure opposition is the problem here... it's the money. VDOT would've built I-73 twenty years ago if they had the money.

The Martinsville Southern Connector was estimated a few years ago to cost nearly a billion dollars for a short segment of freeway. Good luck finding that money when I-81 is pressing for widening.

[Strider]

Is the state specifically not interested in I-73, or is it more about favoritism toward DC and the eastern part of Virginia, or they simply have more pressing projects?

At this point, I think it's safe to refer to I-73/74 as solely Carolina interstates and merge them into one I-73 family with associated 3dis.

Virginia has shown interest in I-73, and it chose a route back in 1994 that would have subsumed the US 460 freeway in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech's Smart Road, and I-581 in Roanoke, among others. Problem is, there is massive opposition to I-73 in Henry County and Martinsville, as well as in parts of Roanoke (the original proposed routing didn't use all of I-581), and this opposition stalled any attempts to design or build I-73.

At this point the only part of I-73 in Virginia that is likely to get built is the Martinsville Southern Connector, and even that has incredible amounts of opposition.

The MSC does not have an incredible opposition. The local people support the project. The opposition came from the agency that have NOTHING to do with the routing of I-73.

[Strider]

Not entirely surprising. So, does this effectively kill I-73 in VA, or is it an indefinite delay?

If it's the former, would this also kill I-74 in VA since the two are tethered together?

I-74 in Virginia is not related to I-73 in Virginia - it has an actual formal routing, overlapping I-77 from the NC state line to I-81. As a result, I-74 in Virginia is technically already finished despite being completely unsigned.

I-73 is effectively dead - CTB killed the routing because it's been way too long since all the relevant studies were done, and that process needs to start all over again. We're probably not going to see I-73 in Virginia during our lifetimes.

I-73 is not dead.

[froggie]

I-73 is not dead.

You've been saying that for 20 years.  Look how far it's gotten you.

Will's right.  I-73 will not be built in our lifetimes, if at all.

[Strider]

I-73 is not dead.

You've been saying that for 20 years.  Look how far it's gotten you.

Will's right.  I-73 will not be built in our lifetimes, if at all.

Did you see/hear they saying "No more I-73?" or "We can not build I-73 anymore?" Or those exact words? If not... there you go. Until they say those things, I-73 isn't dead.

[froggie]

While "dormant" might be a more appropriate word than "dead", you're now just arguing semantics.  And it doesn't change what I said.

And if you're REALLY going into the word weeds, notice that Will said effectively dead.

[WillWeaverRVA]

While "dormant" might be a more appropriate word than "dead", you're now just arguing semantics.  And it doesn't change what I said.

And if you're REALLY going into the word weeds, notice that Will said effectively dead.

Exactly, I said it was effectively dead because a process that has taken 30 years to get to this point now has to start all over again.

[PColumbus73]

While "dormant" might be a more appropriate word than "dead", you're now just arguing semantics.  And it doesn't change what I said.

And if you're REALLY going into the word weeds, notice that Will said effectively dead.

Exactly, I said it was effectively dead because a process that has taken 30 years to get to this point now has to start all over again.

Sounds like I-73 is simply a low priority for Virginia. Makes sense with the aforementioned I-81 widening, and projects in DC and Hampton Roads. If there was a serious effort to build it, there would have been some construction by now.

[kernals12]

In South Carolina, the consensus on I-73 seems to be that it's a fantasy project that the state will never be able to pay for, in the same category as the eternally proposed extension of I-526 to John's Island.

At the rate things are going, I-73 is just going to be 2 disjointed sections of freeway near Greensboro, NC.

Time to stick a fork in it.

[WillWeaverRVA]

In South Carolina, the consensus on I-73 seems to be that it's a fantasy project that the state will never be able to pay for, in the same category as the eternally proposed extension of I-526 to John's Island.

At the rate things are going, I-73 is just going to be 2 disjointed sections of freeway near Greensboro, NC.

Time to stick a fork in it.

There's actually about 101 miles of freeway designated as I-73, and it's one segment. At this point, just renumber it to an I-x40 or an I-x85 and be done with it.