U. S. 58 road construction projects are planned in the Commonwealth Transportation Board's six-year improvement project. Reference the Martinsville Bulletin (www.martinsvillebulletin.com) and Gov. McDonnell's News Release

U.S. 58, county road projects funded Friday, April 22, 2011 By PAUL COLLINS - Bulletin Staff Writer The Commonwealth Transportation Board’s draft six-year improvement program includes $120 million in new construction money to widen 8.2 miles of U.S. 58 from Laurel Fork to the Meadows of Dan bypass. Information on the projects comes from Jason Bond, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Transportation; Lisa Hughes, VDOT resident engineer for this area; and VDOT documents. Five-mile section of U.S. 58 The draft plan includes $69 million to widen U.S. 58 from two lanes to four lanes from three-tenths of a mile east of Big Reed Island Creek in Laurel Fork to nearly a quarter-mile east of Route 632 (Mapleshade Road), a 5.033-mile stretch in Carroll County. The total cost of the project is estimated at about $75,373,000, including about $2,865,000 for preliminary engineering (complete), about $3,508,000 for right of way (under way) and $69 million for construction. Previous allocations totaled about $6,382,000. The tentative start date for construction is on or after July 1, 2012. 3.2-mile section of U.S. 58 The draft plan includes $51 million in new construction money to widen U.S. 58 from two lanes to four lanes from nearly a quarter-mile east of Route 632 (Mapleshade Road) to 0.27 miles west of existing Route 600 in the Salem Highway District. The total cost of the project is estimated at $63,354,000, including $4,986,000 for preliminary engineering (complete), $7,368,000 for right of way (under way) and $51 million for construction. Previous allocations totaled $12,354,000. The tentative start date for construction is on or after July 1, 2012. Public hearing A public hearing on the draft plan is set for at 6 p.m. May 12 at the VDOT district office at 731 Harrison Ave., Salem. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will vote on the draft plan in June, and what that board approves will become effective July 1, 2011. Reference: Martinsville Bulletin, April 22, 2011, page 1