Roanoke, VA to North Carolina line

Oct. 15, 2007: Virginians for Appropriate Roads (VAR) has filed legal action against Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) seeking an injunction prohibiting FHWA from providing financial assistance for I-73 and prohibiting Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its contractors from commencing construction of the project.
Read VAR Press Release.

June 2, 2004: Read Press Release and link to Report - Interstate 73 is one of the most wasteful highway projects in the nation, according to a new report released today by Virginians for Appropriate Roads (VAR), Citizens Concerned about I-73, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS), and Friends of the Earth (FoE). The report, Road to Ruin, identifies the 27 most wasteful highway projects in the country.

Sept. 22, 2003: Keeper of the National Register reaffirms status of Southeast Roanoke, VA Historic District; Historic resources form hurdles to I-73's construction. - The Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places has reaffirmed the historic status of the Southeast Roanoke Historic District, a late 19th/early 20th century mixed-use working class neighborhood nominated as an historic district by Virginians for Appropriate Roads (VAR) and found eligible for inclusion in the National Register last October. VAR is a BREDL chapter. Read VAR Press Release and additional information (includes link to map and agency letters)

Nov. 14, 2002: Portion of SE Roanoke declared eligible for historic designation: Virginians For Appropriate Roads (VAR), a BREDL chapter, has won a battle in the nearly decade-long fight against a new terrain interstate from Roanoke, VA to the North Carolina state line.

Feb. 08, 2002: View I-73: The Incredible Shrinking Interstate animation.

May 17, 2001: CTB chooses build/new-terrain route for I-73.

May 17, 2001: CTB Resolution choosing build/new-terrain route for I-73.

May 02, 2001: VAR, BREDL, & FFC letter to DOT/FHWA expressing our concerns with insufficient I-73 DEIS and request for Supplement or new DEIS.

Agency comments on I-73

April 25, 2001: Press Release /EPA letter/comments - EPA has environmental objections with I-73 (Roanoke, VA - NC border) project. EPA recommends a supplement be prepared to address significant issues and alternatives. Feb. 6, 2001 - April 12, 2001: U.S. Dept. of Interior correspondence with VDOT regarding I-73 DEIS (includes Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife comments) ; January 11, 2001 Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation comments ; February 1, 2001 Army Corps of Engineers comments

Jan. 11, 2001 - BREDL comments and Air Quality Report regarding I-73 DEIS. I-73 DEIS fails to address reasonable alternatives, secondary and cumulative impacts, air quality, and other major issues.

Take Action: Use our automatic emailer to send comments to Virginia Dept. of Transportation regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for I-73. DEADLINE WAS JAN. 12, 2001. Read our Sample Letter that was automatically emailed to Mr. Earl Robb, VDOT State Environmental Administrator and Mr. Fred Altizer, VDOT Salem District Manager.

Nov. 1, 2000 - VDOT releases DEIS on I-73 (Roanoke, VA - NC border segment). Comments deadline was Jan. 12, 2001.

Summer 2000 - "I-73: Weighing the Costs" An independent review of modern highway economics and an application of this information to the I-73 decision-making process. By Emily Manetta.


April 26, 1999 - VAR Press Release: I-73 listed as one of the 50 most wasteful projects in the nation