Roanoke Lobbies for I-64

State Senators Speak About Plans of the Water Level Route Association in Roanoke, Va.

4/10/1958

In Roanoke, Va., a reporter interviews two state senators regarding the formation of the Water Level Route Association, an organization created to respond to a proposal for a new interstate highway and to lobby for the relocation of the proposed route from northern Virginia to southern Virginia. An unidentified senator informs the reporter that southwestern Virginia is in support of the relocation. Senator Mosby Perrow explains that the State Highway Commission has been charged with determining the best possible route for the highway and that the Water Level Route Association intends to argue their case to the commission.

Anchor Script

Anchor script text: The State higway department is now making a study on the feasibility of relocating the east-west link. (start film) Senator Perrow says after the information is gained, it's up to the highway department to make the difficult decision. (show film) SOUND UP November First has been set as the target date for the completion of a study of two proposed routes for an east-west interstate highway. This was announced by a Highway Department official at Hotel Roanoke yesterday. (Start film) The board of directors of the Water Level Route Association met at the Hotel, following a giant barbecue yesterday. (Show film) A large crowd - including State legislators from all over Southwest Virginia - gathered at Lakeside Park yesterday for a rally to drum up support for a southerly route for the highway - Route 81. Roanoke and Lynchburg Chambers of Commerce backed the well-organized rally. These groups favor a route by way of Clifton Forge, Roanoke and Lynchburg to Richmond. The Water Level Route Association was formed and State Senator Mosby Perrow of Lynchburg named its permanent chairman. Later, completion plans for the Highway Department study were announced. (Back to M.)

Roanoke Mayor Willis Anderson Decries I-64 Decision

2/23/1961

Hoping for the selection of the southern route plan of Interstate 64, which would pass through Roanoke, Mayor Willis Anderson laments the decision of the federal highway bureau to build the northern route. The Virginia highway department had chosen the southern route until they were overruled by the federal decision to build the road through Charlottesville and Staunton.

Anchor Script

Anchor script text: Leaders of Southwest Virginia view THE decision of the U-S Bureau of Public Roads as a blow to hopes of future development. After almost 2 years of delay, the Bureau rejected a Virginia Highway Commission recommendation and chose a Northern Route for Interstate Highway 64. The Virginia Highway Commission had recommended the Southern Corridor for the super-highway, which would have brought it by way of Roanoke. Now, the highway will run from Richmond to Charlottesville and Staunton and then to Clifton Forge. State Highway Commissioner H. H. Harris holds out some slim hope that the decision may be appealed. Congressman Richard H. Poff says He's shocked, and has offered his assistance to any appeal. William P. Booker--president of the Chamber of Commerce says he's greatly disappointed. (start film) And Roanoke Mayor Willis Anderson summed up reaction in the city with this statement on the DECESION. (SHOW FILM) (((SOUND UP)))

I-64 Nears Completion 10 Years After Groundbreaking

10/12/1971

Delay in I-64 construction in the Blue Ridge Mountains highlights the challenges of building a highway over mountainous terrain. 

Anchor Script

Anchor script text: HIGHWAY 64 NOONER OCT. 19-71 CS A PORTION OF INTERSTATE 64 AT CLIFTON FORGE WILL SOON BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC. TAKE FILM SIL THE NEARLY FOUR MILE SEGMENT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO OPEN OCTOBER SEVENTH--BUT PROBLEMS WITH SINKING PIERS ON AT LEAST TWO BRIDGES HAVE CAUSED A DELAY IN OPENING THE SECTION. IT IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE SOMETIME IN NOVEMBER BEFORE THE PROBLEMS CAN BE CLEARED UP AND THE SECTION OPENED. COST OF THE PROJECT IS JUST UNDER 13 MILLION DOLLARS. THIRTEEN BRIDGES HAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED FOR THE PROJECT WHICH CROSSES NUMEROUS GORGES AND THE JACKSON RIVER. WHEN COMPLETED-- INTERSTATE 64 WILL BE THE MAJOR EAST WEST ROUTE RUNNING THROUGH VIRGINIA FILM OUT