<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0XYbwE_1GxuCI4900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0XYbwE_1GxuCI4900" width="1429" height="953" ></figure>After years of earth moving and traffic snarls, an ambitious road-widening project in Southside Virginia is ready for prime time.State leaders this weekend cut the ribbon on the newly completed eastbound lanes of Route 58 over Lovers Leap Mountain in Patrick County.For the past five years, work crews widened one of Virginia’s steepest and most winding highway segments.They expanded 7.4 miles of U.S. 58 from two lanes to four between Vesta and the four-lane Stuart Bypass.Branch Civil began performed the $352 million effort. They excavated more than 10 million cubic yards of soil and rock at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 feet.The funding came through 13 years ago.“This project will offer a safer and more navigable route for freight traffic, visitors and Virginians and position this area for growth and opportunity in the future,” said Ken King, VDOT Salem District Engineer.This is the penultimate project in the Route 58 Corridor Development program that was established in 1989. It covers the portion of the highway between Virginia Beach and I-77.“Once complete, the entire commonwealth gains a safer, modern mountain crossing, a stronger tourism gateway, better positioning for business recruitment and integration into a statewide economic corridor,” said CTB Member Dr. Raymond Smoot. “This project will make a difference for the thousands of commuters, travelers and truckers who use Route 58 today, tomorrow and in the future and I am looking forward to seeing where the road will take us.”The final effort will widen Route 58 from Vesta to the I-77 interchange in Hillsville. That’s about a four-mile segment.“This boosts mobility for commercial vehicles, commuters, tourists and residents which drives inter-regional commerce and travel.  This also improves access to urban centers like Danville and Martinsville, facilitates rural development, and integrates local economies with state and interstate systems,” Smoot added.</div></body>

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After years of earth moving and traffic snarls, an ambitious road-widening project in Southside Virginia is ready for prime time. State leaders this weekend cut the ribbon on the newly completed eastbound lanes of Route 58 over Lovers Leap Mountain in Patrick County. For the past five years, work crews...

Lover's Leap widening complete

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After years of earth moving and traffic snarls, an ambitious road-widening project in Southside Virginia is ready for prime time. State leaders this weeken

Lover's Leap widening complete

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