VA 61 to 70
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Photo: VA 63 southbound at SR 613 Haysi (photo by Mapmikey 8/18/07)
From: Tazewell (Tazewell County)
To: Narrows (Giles County)
Total Length: 48.16 miles  
ROUTE LOG
VA 16: 0 - 0
US 19, US 460: 0.86 - 0.86
US 19 Bus, US 460 Bus: 1.29 - 2.15
Bland-Tazewell Line: 13.87 - 16.02
US 52 SB: 10.53 - 26.55
I-77 (exit 64): 0.06 - 26.61
US 52 NB: 0.40 - 27.01
Giles-Bland Line: 7.42 - 34.43
VA 100: 13.17 - 47.60
US 460: 0.56 - 48.16
 Creation: Appeared in July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 127, running from VA 81 (now VA 16) Tazewell east to near the Bland County Line. This is the 2nd VA 61. The 1933 draft route log had this as VA 86

VA 61 (1933 Official)
VA 61 only in Tazewell County
1933 Official

Adjustments: In Sept 1934 (CTB), VA 61 was extended east to the Bland County line.
In Sept 1942 (CTB), a second piece of VA 61 was created, replacing SR 641 from VA 8 (now VA 100) Narrows west 6.46 miles.
In May 1943 (CTB), the second piece was extended west to the Bland County line over more SR 641.

VA 61 (1944 Official)
VA 61 now in Giles County, too.
1944 Official

In May 1945 (CTB), the second piece was extended west to US 21-52 Rocky Gap over more SR 641.
In June 1947 (CTB), the two pieces of VA 61 were connected via upgrade to the remaining SR 641.

VA 61 (1947 Official)
VA 61 in eastern Bland County
1947 Official
VA 61 (1948 Official)
VA 61 finally complete
1948 Official

About 1947, VA 61 was extended over VA 8 across the New River from Narrows to the new US 460 (current frontage rd to 460).
In April 1949 (CTB), VA 61 swapped routings with SR 678 between Rocky Gap and Round Bottom.

VA 61 (1946 Bland County)
VA 61 east of Rocky Gap
1946 Bland County
VA 61 (1951 Bland County)
VA 61 removed from SR 678
1951 Bland County

In March 1952 (CTB), VA 61 was moved onto its current bridge over the New River and US 460, leaving behind abandoned routing.
In Jan 1964 (CTB), VA 61 was removed from SR 724 from Narrows west to Shumate. VA 61 was moved to the north side of Wolf Creek, over what had been SR 752.
In July 1969 (CTB), VA 61 swapped routings with SR 724 between Chapel and Shumate.
In Dec 1988 (CTB), VA 61 was rerouted at US 52 Rocky Gap to its present approach from Narrows, over new bridges and a little SR 675, the old route is a bit of SR 669 but the rest abandoned.
Improvements:  Paved upon designations in Tazewell and Giles Counties;
In 1953 VA 61 was paved in Bland County east of Rocky Gap
The rest of VA 61 was paved in 1954.
VA 61 is multilane only at the I-77 jct, since about 1974.
Posted:  Fully posted; cutouts remain in Tazewell as of 2010; error US 61 shield up for several years leaving VA 16.
Multiplexes:  US 52 (0.46 mi)
Legislative names:  None
Other names:  Riverside Dr (Tazewell); Clearfork Rd (Tazewell Co); Clear Fork Creek Hwy (Bland Co w of Rocky Gap); Wolf Creek Rd (Rocky Gap to Narrows); Park Dr/Monroe St/McArthur Ln/Fleshman St (Narrows)
Scenic Byway:  None
Comment: VA 61 is a fairly decent drive east of I-77. West of I-77 the ride has more sharp curves.
The 1939 VDOT report on primary system development had recommended that VA 61 be decommissioned from SR 623 Burkes Garden Rd to its then-eastern end at the Bland County line.

Previous VA 61's:
VA 61 #1: Appeared on the 1933 draft route log, running from US 58 Cumberland Gap south to Tennessee. This would've been a renumbering of VA 100. What is unusual about this designation is that the draft list did have all US routes with no state route concurrencies. So the fact this was part of US 25E is surprising, unless VDOH was somehow trying to eliminate US 25E. When the July 1933 map came out, VA 61 was actually assigned to its current routing.
Also of note this showed a more logical pattern in the 1933 renumbering given where 62, 63 etc. were placed.

1933 draft route log
VA 61 at Cumberland Gap!
1933 draft route log

VA 61Y: Appeared March 1952 when VA 61 was put on its new crossing of the New River at Narrows. The new bridge crossed the river and US 460. At the end of the bridge, roads curled off both directions to connect to US 460 (now the frontage road in this vicinity). The road curling north was VA 61Y.
VA 61Y made it to at least 1975 but not long after because when US 460 was rebuilt as a 4-lane route through here, VA 61Y no longer touched US 460. Today it is just Fleshman St. 		VA 61-Y
VA 61-Y
1975 Giles County
From: east of Danville (Pittsylvania County)
To:North Carolina State Line at Milton, NC (Pittsylvania County).
The road continues as NC 62 to NC 109 Thomasville, NC.
Total Length: 4.01 miles  
ROUTE LOG
US 58, US 360: 0 - 0
NC STATE LINE: 4.01 - 4.01
 Creation: Appeared in May 1946 (CTB) as an upgrade to SR 726, running as it does today. This is the 3rd VA 62.
Adjustments: In Oct 1951 (CTB), VA 62 was removed from an abandoned loop about a mile from the NC Line.
Improvements:  Paved upon designation; no multilane segments
Posted:  Fully posted
Multiplexes:  None
Legislative names:  None
Other names:  Milton Hwy
Scenic Byway:  None
Comment: No excitement within Virginia, but on NC 62 north of Burlington there are several early 1920's bridges still in use.
Previous VA 62's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
US 58: 0 - 0
TN STATE LINE: 3.70 - 3.70


1946 ROUTE LOG
US 23, VA 70: 0 - 0
SR 600: 3.27 - 3.27

VA 62 #1: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 101, running from US 58 Ewing south to the Tennessee Line.
In Sept 1942 (CTB), VA 62 was downgraded to SR 744.
VA 62 #2: Appeared Sept 1942 (CTB) as an upgrade to SR 600, running from US 23 (now just E. Main St) Appalachia north 3.27 miles towards Stonega.
In May 1946 (CTB), VA 62 was renumbered as VA 78.

VA 62 (1933 Official)
VA 62 #1
1933 Official
VA 62 (1944 Official)
VA 62 #2
1944 Official
VA 62 (1947 Official)
Current VA 62
1947 Official

From:  St. Paul (Wise County)
To:  Haysi(Dickenson County)
Total Length:  39.28 miles  
ROUTE LOG
US 58 ALT: 0 - 0
VA 270: 0.75 - 0.75
Russell-Wise Line: 0.85 - 1.60
Dickenson-Russell Line: 8.83 - 10.43
VA 83 WB: 13.90 - 24.33
VA 83 EB: 4.94 - 29.27
VA 80, VA 83: 10.01 - 39.28
 Creation: Appeared in March 1958 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 64, running from St. Paul to VA 83 Fremont. This is the 2nd VA 63. See scan in VA 64 entry.
Adjustments: In 1966, VA 63 was extended east with VA 83 to Clinchco, then replaced VA 83 northeast to Haysi. This renumbering was authorized in the March 1961 CTB.
In April 1986 (CTB), VA 63 was given its routing around Hamlin, leaving behind a bit of SR 619.
In July 1986 (CTB), VA 63 was rerouted away from central St Paul (became VA 270 and instead continued west as new primary routing to US 58 ALT as it runs today.

VA 83 (1965 Official)
VA 83 Clinchco to Haysi
1965 Official
VA 83 (1966 Official)
VA 63 extended to Haysi
1966 Official
Posted:  Fully posted; cutout was still present in Haysi in 2009.
Multiplexes:  VA 83 (4.94 mi)
Legislative names:  None
Other names:  Wise St (St. Paul); Dante Rd (Russell Co); Dante Mountain Rd (Dickenson Co); Dickenson Hwy (VA 83 duplex); Big Ridge Rd (VA 83 to Haysi)
Scenic Byway:  No segments
Comment: Not sure what utility the extension to Haysi really has. That portion of VA 63 is gnarly and difficult to drive. South of VA 83 is surprisingly nimble.

Previous VA 63's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
US 58: 0 - 0
TN STATE LINE: 7.30 - 7.30

VA 63 #1: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 102, running from US 58 west of Jonesville south to a half mile short of Tennessee.
In Aug 1933 (CTB), VA 63 was extended south to the Tennessee line.
In May 1946 (CTB), VA 63 was downgraded to SR 758.
VA 63 (1933 Official)
VA 63 #1
1933 Official

I-64
VA 64  not currently assigned
Previous VA 64's:

1957 ROUTE LOG
US 58 ALT: 0 - 0
Russell-Wise Line: 2 - 2
Dickenson-Russell Line: 9 - 11
VA 83: 14 - 25
 VA 64: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of:

VA 103 from the Tennessee Line below Blackwater north to Jonesville
US 411 and VA 10 from Jonesville to Woodway via Pennington Gap
VA 11 from Woodway through Big Stone Gap, Appalachia, Norton, Coeburn, St. Paul and Dickenson before ending at US 19 (now Gilbert St) Lebanon. Big Stone Gap to Norton was a duplex with US 23.

(1933 Official)
VA 64's initial routing from Lebanon southwest to Tennessee
1933 Official

VA 64 used today's VA 70 from the Tennessee Line to about the Powell River, then abandoned alignments up to US 58. VA 64 used US 58 west, then US 58 ALT north of Jonesville to Ben Hur except it likely used SR 715, 716, and 760, plus it looks like some alignments have been destroyed.
In Ben Hur the route likely used some SR 645 and SR 644 then modern 58 ALT to Sulphur Springs, where the route probably used Combs Rd to Pennington Gap. The route in Pennington Gap seems to have been modern 58 ALT, then US 421 south of town. The route then seems to have used a bit of SR 630 plus a dead end alignment back to US 421. The route used SR 785 into Woodway.
VA 64 followed today's SR 642 northeast to US 58 ALT, then followed US 58 ALT east to Big Stone Gap except it used Dacota Ave in the Cadet area. In Big Stone Gap VA 64 turned north on US 23 Business. VA 64 used US 23 Business through Appalachia except it used Callahan Ave around where VA 78 ends today. VA 64 continued east on 23 Business to Dorchester, then followed SR 790 through Dorchester Junction which turns into Main Ave SW in Norton.
VA 64 followed Main Ave to 12th St SW (not current SR 619 which was rerouted for the interchange with 23 Bypass nearby). Then north on SW 12th to Park Ave NW. VA 64 headed east on Park, then followed today's VA 74 out of Norton. At the Laurel Grove Cemetery VA 64 switched to Ramsey Rd to get over to US 58 ALT.
VA 64 used 58 ALT, then SR 762 Matthews Rd, then 58 ALT, then likely SRs 688-798 through Tacoma, a smidge of 58 ALT, then SR 813 Old Norton-Coeburn Rd. VA 64 followed VA 158 through Coeburn.
East of Coeburn, VA 64 used SR 893 Bull Run Rd, then back onto US 58 ALT. VA 64 followed 58 ALT for the most part to St. Paul except it used the Bull Hill Rd loop near Burtons Ford.
East of St. Paul, VA 64 seems to have followed pretty much 58 ALT down to just short of VA 65, where it cut east on Memorial Drive, SR 683. VA 64 used SR 683 back down to 58 ALT. VA 64 stuck with US 58 ALT except for SRs 836 and 715, then used VA 71 east to Lebanon. In Lebanon, VA 64 turned onto Old Fincastle Rd and ended at Gilbert Dr (then-US 19).
In Feb 1938 (CTB), VA 64 was removed from SRs 700 and 701 east of Seminary in Lee County.
In Feb 1939 (CTB), VA 64 was removed from SRs 715, 716, 717, 718, 719 north of Jonesville (some now abandoned since).
In April 1940 (CTB), VA 64 was extended west to the current south end of VA 82 in Lebanon, replacing a rerouted US 19
In Oct 1940 (CTB), VA 64 swapped routes with VA 71 to instead run from Dickenson southeast to US 19 Hansonville. The old route to Lebanon is still VA 71 except in town it is Old Fincastle Rd and a bit of VA 82.
Additionally, everything west of St. Paul was renumbered as VA 70 except Slemps to Woodway became VA 65 and Woodway to Pennington Gap became part of VA 66. Instead, VA 64 replaced VA 70 north from St. Paul to end at VA 83 (now this abandoned bridge over the McClure River across from SR 663) Fremont.
In May 1943 (CTB), VA 64 was built onto the current US 58 ALT alignment southeast of VA 65, leaving behind SR 683.
In Sept 1945 (CTB), VA 64 was removed from SR 699 at Bolton.
It appears that by 1950 VA 64 was pretty much on modern 58 ALT's alignment east of St. Paul.
About 1951, VA 64 south was truncated to St. Paul, replaced by US 58 ALT from St. Paul to Hansonville.
In Nov 1957 (CTB), VA 64 was given its bypass of Dante leaving behind extended SRs 608 and 627. Also VA 63 was removed from SR 769 north of Dante.
In March 1958 (CTB), VA 64 was renumbered as VA 63. Today it is still VA 63 except in downtown St. Paul it used VA 270.

(1941-42 Official)
VA 64 rerouted to Fremont
1941-42 Official
(1951 Official)
VA 64 truncated to St. Paul
1951 Official
(1959 Official)
VA 64 becomes VA 63
1959 Official

From:  Clinchport (Scott County)
To:  Banners Corner (Russell County)
Total Length:  34.06 miles  
ROUTE LOG
US 23, US 58, US 421: 0 - 0
VA 72 SB: 14.72 - 14.72
VA 72 NB: 8.39 - 23.11
Russell-Scott Line: 5.10 - 28.21
US 58 ALT: 5.85 - 34.06
 Creation:  VA 65 was created March 1958 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 66, running generally as it does now. This is the 2nd VA 65.
Adjustments:  In Feb 1970 (CTB), VA 65 was extended southwest from its original end (today's SR 883) to the relocated US 23-58-421 over what had been US 23-58-421.
In Sept 1971 (CTB), VA 65 was removed from SR 828 near Banners Corner.
In March 1979 (CTB), VA 65 was rerouted in Dungannon. Initially, VA 65 cut south at the curve south of SR 1007, then crossed the RR onto Emmet St which curls around to Washington St which used to cross the Clinch River, then VA 65 used SR 659 east to current VA 65. The new (current) routing replaced a bit of VA 72, then was new construction east across the Clinch River to meet up with existing VA 65 (now SR 659).
Improvements:  paved upon inception; no multilane segments.
Posted:  Fully posted;
Multiplexes:  VA 72 (8.39 mi)
Legislative names:  Heritage Bridge over Stony Creek (since 1-18-01).
Other names:  Clinch River Hwy (Scott Co); Veterans Memorial Hwy/Sinking Creek Hwy (Dungannon); Mew Rd (Russell Co)
Scenic Byway:  No segments
Comment:  Unlike the paralleling VA 71, VA 65 has some sections that are quite twisty, especially west of Dungannon.
The 1939 VDOT report on primary system development had recommended that VA 65 (then-VA 70) be decommissioned from US 58 ALT southwest to SR 649 west of Fort Blackmore (entirety of VA 70 west of today's 58 ALT).
VA 65 (1959 Official)
Current VA 65
1959 Official
VA 65 (1958 Scott County)
VA 65 original Dungannon routing
1958 Scott County
Previous VA 65's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
US 58, US 421: 0 - 0
VA 64 EB: 2 - 2
VA 66: 4 - 6
VA 64 WB: 1 - 7
KY STATE LINE: 8 - 15


1942 ROUTE LOG
VA 66: 0 - 0
VA 70: 8 - 8

VA 65 #1: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 104, running from US 58 Dot west through Pennington Gap to the Kentucky State Line. See scan under VA 64 entry.
In Oct 1938 (CTB), VA 65 was extensively rebuilt, leaving behind numerous abandoned sections, plus SRs 711, 713, and 714.
In Oct 1940 (CTB), VA 65 was renumbered as VA 66. Today it is part of US 421, plus SR 785 through Woodway and SR 706 in Pennington Gap.
VA 65 #2: Appeared in Oct 1940 (CTB) as a renumbering of part of VA 64, running from VA 66 (now SR 785) Woodway east to VA 70 (now US 58 ALT) east of Dryden. See scan under VA 66 entry.
In May 1943 (CTB), VA 65 was downgraded to SR 642.

I-66
VA 66  not currently assigned
Previous VA 66's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
VA 64, VA 65: 0 - 0
VA 64: 6.06 - 6.06


1957 ROUTE LOG
US 23, US 58, US 421: 0 - 0
VA 72: 22 - 22
US 58 ALT: 13 - 35
 VA 66 #1: Appeared July 1933 as a renumbering of part of VA 103 running from VA 64-65 (now US 421) Pennington Gap northeast to Dryden.
In Aug 1936 (CTB), VA 66 was extended east 1.5 miles.
In Sept 1937 (CTB), VA 66 was extended east to VA 64 (now SR 642).
In Oct 1940 (CTB), VA 66 was renumbered as part of VA 70. Today it is US 58 ALT except it used OLD US 58 ALT through Dryden.

(1933 Official)
VA 66 #1
1933 Official
(1937 Official)
VA 66 extended to VA 64
1937 Official

VA 66 #2: Appeared Oct 1940 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 70 from VA 64 (now US 58 ALT) Banners Corner southwest to a few miles beyond Fort Blackmore where there was a break in the route. VA 66 also replaced VA 70 from US 23-58-421 Clinchport to Pattonsville, then duplexed with US 58-421 to Dot, then replaced VA 65 through Pennington Gap to the Kentucky State Line.

VA 66 (1941-42 Official)
VA 66 #2
1941-42 Official

In Sept 1942 (CTB), VA 66 was extended west 3.88 miles towards Clinchport over SR 645.
In May 1943 (CTB), VA 66 was extended to US 23-58-421 (now SR 883) Clinchport over more SR 645.
VA 66 (1944 Official)
VA 66 completed plus removed from SR 645 below Pattonsville.
1944 Official

Also in May 1943 (CTB), VA 66 was placed on US 58 from Pattonsville to Clinchport and was removed from today's SR 638 and SR 600.
Around 1950, VA 66 west was truncated to Clinchport, replaced by US 421. VA 66 had used modern US 421 except SR 785 through Woodway, to Dot. Along today's US 58-421, VA 66 used SR 915 off Wallen Ridge, then SR 702 to Stickleyville. Then it used US 58-421 over Powell Mountain, then headed south on SR 638 through Pattonsville and east on SR 604 then modern 58-421 to Duffield. US 58 then followed SR 871 through Natural Tunnel back to modern US 58 via SR 872. US 58 used SR 882, abandoned routing, SR 883 to current VA 65.
VA 66 (1951 Official)
VA 66 west truncated to Clinchport
1951 Official

In March 1952 (CTB), VA 66 swapped routings with current SR 683 east of Dungannon.
In March 1958 (CTB), VA 66 was renumbered as VA 65, which it remains except: SR 828 near Banners Corner and its routing through Dungannon. VA 66 cut south at the curve south of SR 1007, then crossed the RR onto Emmet St which curls around to Washington St which used to cross the Clinch River, then VA 66 used SR 659 east to current VA 65.
From:  Honaker (Russell County)
To:  , Jewell Ridge (Buchanan County)
Total Length:  22.36 miles  
ROUTE LOG
VA 80: 0 - 0
Tazewell-Russell Line: 10.44 - 10.44
US 460 WB: 1.61 - 12.05
US 460 EB, US 460 Bus Begin: 1.38 - 13.43
US 460 Bus EB: 0.89 - 14.32
US 460: 0.50 - 14.82
Buchanan-Tazewell Line: 7.54 - 22.36
 Creation:  Appeared in Oct 1940 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 83 running generally the way it does now. This is the 2nd VA 67.
Adjustments: In 1947 (CTB), VA 67 west was truncated to its current VA 80 jct. Originally VA 67 went further west to VA 80's original routing (now Clover Rd in Honaker).
In Dec 1953 (CTB), VA 67 was removed from the SR 637 loops at Gardners.
Sometime in the early 70s, VA 67 was placed on one-way splits with its now-US 460 Business Duplex through Richlands.
In March 1954 (CTB), VA 67 was removed from the SR 670 loop west of Raven.
Improvements:  Fully paved upon inception;
VA 67 was multilaned on its US 460 duplex in 1970.
Posted:  Fully posted;
Multiplexes:  US 460 (1.38 mi)
US 460 Bus (0.89 mi)
Legislative names:  None
Other names:  Swords Creek Rd (Russell Co); Raven Rd (Tazewell Co w of US 460); Front St/Norfolk St/2nd St/Railroad St (Richlands); Jewell Ridge Rd (n of Richlands)
Scenic Byway:  None
Comment:  VA 67 is 23 miles long and has no 55 mph speed limits anywhere. 		VA 67 (1941-42 Official)
Current VA 67
1941 Official
Previous VA 67's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
US 23, VA 64: 0 - 0
KY STATE LINE: 8 - 8

VA 67 #1: Appeared in July 1933 aS a renumbering of part of VA 106, running from US 23/VA 64 (now US 23 Business) west to the Kentucky line on top of Black Mountain.
In Oct 1940 (CTB), VA 67 was renumbered as VA 160 which it remains except the eastern most bit is now part of VA 68.

VA 67 (1933 Official)
VA 67 #1
1933 Official
I-68
From:  Appalachia (Wise County)
To:  , near Exeter (Lee County)
Total Length:  6.13 miles  
ROUTE LOG
US 23 Bus: 0 - 0
Lee-Wise Line: 6.13 - 6.13
 Creation:  Appeared in July 1933 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 119 running generally the way it does now. This is the only VA 68.
Adjustments: About 1986, VA 68's eastern end was reconfigured. From 1933-86, VA 68 met US 23 about a half-mile south of where it does now. VA 68 was placed on newly constructed route over to VA 160, then replaced VA 160 over to US 23 Business. It appears the CTB did not formally make this change until 1999 but the bridges are dated 1986. The 1988 Official shows the change as well.
Improvements:  Fully paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted:  Fully posted;
Multiplexes:  None
Legislative names:  None
Other names: Exeter Rd.
Scenic Byway:  None
Comment:  I'm guessing it was envisioned to connect this to KY 38 at some point (as opposed to US 421 way far away), but nothing has ever occurred in Lee County with this.

(1969 Wise County)
VA 68 ending well south of VA 160 (1933-86)
1969 Wise County
(1995 Wise County)
VA 68 ending well south of VA 160 (1933-86)
1995 Wise County

From: Poplar Camp (Wythe County)
To: Austinville (Wythe County)
Total Length: 3.59 miles  
ROUTE LOG
US 52: 0 - 0
I-77 (exit 24): 0.30 - 0.30
SR 636: 3.29 - 3.59
 Creation:  Appeared in March 1958 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 81, running as it does now. This is the 2nd VA 69.
Adjustments:  None
Improvements:  paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted:  Fully posted although its western endpoint is not marked. There are also TO 69 shields on SR 619 at SR 636 across the New River from Austinville.
Multiplexes:  None
Legislative names:  None
Other names:  Lead Mine Rd
Scenic Byway:  No segments
Comment:  Since US 52 is blown off by I-77 at Jacksons Ferry, VA 69 is the exit to take to access the Shot Tower Historical Area. 		VA 69 (1959 Official)
Current VA 69
1959 Official
Previous VA 69's:

1951 ROUTE LOG
US 23, VA 64: 0 - 0
SR 603: 5.59 - 5.59
 VA 69 #1: Appeared in July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 133, running from US 23/VA 64 Kent Junction north to Dunbar.
In April 1951 (CTB), VA 69 was downgraded to SR 603. 		VA 69 (1933 Official)
VA 69 #1
1933 Official
From: Jonesville (Lee County)
To: Tennessee State Line below Blackwater (Lee County)
Total Length: 11.88 miles  
The route continues as TN 70 to the NC Line, then as NC 208 to end at US 25-70 near Hot Springs, NC.
ROUTE LOG
US 58: 0 - 0
TN STATE LINE: 11.88 - 11.88
 Creation:  Appeared in June 1962 (CTB) as an upgrade to SR 798, running generally as it does now. This is the 3rd VA 70.
Adjustments:  In Feb 1969 (CTB), VA 70 was straightened out in the SR 612 area.
In June 2000 (CTB), VA 70 was largely rebuilt north of the Powell River, leaving behind a number of abandoned segments, plus OSR 70 (below SR 614) and also SR 922 (now part of SR 864)
Improvements:  paved upon inception; no multilane segments
Posted:  Fully posted
Multiplexes:  None
Legislative names:  Trail of the Lonesome Pine (3-24-30 designation predates VA 70); Samuel B Robinette Memorial Bridge over Blackwater Creek (4-6-42); D.C. Sewell Sr Memorial Bridge over Powell River (3-12-42)
Other names:  None
Scenic Byway:  entire route (since 3-8-93)
Comment:  VA 70 is still narrow and largely untouched below the Powell River bridge, with a number of 15 mph curves.
Previous VA 70's:

1940 ROUTE LOG
US 58: 0 - 0
US 23, US 58: 6 - 6
GAP IN ROUTE
SR 651: 0 - 6
VA 72 NB: 22 - 22
VA 72 SB: 1 - 23
VA 64 EB: 12 - 35
VA 64 WB: 3 - 38
VA 59: 27 - 65


1953 ROUTE LOG
US 58: 0 - 0
TN STATE LINE: 13 - 13
VA 70 #1: Appeared in July 1933 as a renumbering of US 411/VA 10 from US 58 (now SR 604-638 jct) Pattonsville in a loop around to US 23-58 Clinchport; a second piece ran from VA 59 (now across from SR 665) Fremont south through Dante and St. Paul to Banners Corner, then southwest through Dungannon, then over towards Natural Tunnel, ending at the Scott SR 649 bridge over Cove Creek west of Duncan Mill. All of this was a renumbering of VA 123.
(1933 Official)
VA 70 St. Paul to Fremont
1933 Official

VA 70 (1933 Official)
VA 70 #1 Pattonsville to St. Paul
1933 Official

About 1935, VA 70 was rerouted from SR 649 to instead follow SR 651 towards Clinchport.
In Sept 1936 (CTB), VA 70 was moved from 4th Av to 5th Av in St. Paul.

(1935 Official)
VA 70 bending towards Natural Tunnel
1935 Official
(1936 Official)
VA 70 bending towards Clinchport
1936 Official

In Oct 1940 (CTB), VA 70 was renumbered as VA 66 from Banners Corner west (including the separate Pattonsville piece), and VA 64 from Banners Corner to Fremont. Today this is SR 638 and SR 600 from Pattonsville to Clinchport; VA 65 except: its routing through Dungannon: VA 70 cut south at the curve south of SR 1007, then crossed the RR onto Emmet St which curls around to Washington St which used to cross the Clinch River, then VA 70 used SR 659 east to current VA 65; SR 683 loop east of Dungannon; SR 828 near Banners Corner; US 58 ALT to St. Paul; VA 270; VA 63 to Fremont except: SR 619 loop Hamlin; SR 608/627 in Dante; SR 769 loop.
VA 70 #2: Appeared in Oct 1940 (CTB) as a renumbering of VA 64 from the Tennessee Line north through Jonesville and Pennington Gap; replaced VA 66 through Dryden to today's SR 642; replaced VA 64 east to Big Stone Gap. Appalachia, Norton, Coeburn and ending at VA 64 (now VA 270) St. Paul.

VA 66 (1941-42 Official)
VA 70 #2
1933 Official

More specifically, VA 70 followed: today's VA 70 from the Tennessee Line to about the Powell River, then abandoned alignments up to US 58. VA 70 used US 58 west, then US 58 ALT north of Jonesville to Ben Hur except it likely used SR 760, plus it looks like some alignments have been destroyed.
In Ben Hur the route likely used some SR 645 and SR 644 then modern 58 ALT to Sulphur Springs, where the route probably used Combs Rd to Pennington Gap. The route in Pennington Gap seems to have been modern 58 ALT east, then old US 58 ALT through Dryden, then current 58 ALT east to Big Stone Gap except it used Dacota Ave in the Cadet area. In Big Stone Gap VA 70 turned north on US 23 Business. VA 70 used US 23 Business through Appalachia except it used Callahan Ave around where VA 78 ends today. VA 70 continued east on 23 Business to Dorchester, then followed SR 790 through Dorchester Junction which turns into Main Ave SW in Norton.
VA 70 followed Main Ave to 12th St SW (not current SR 619 which was rerouted for the interchange with 23 Bypass nearby). Then north on SW 12th to Park Ave NW. VA 70 headed east on Park, then followed today's VA 74 out of Norton. At the Laurel Grove Cemetery VA 70 switched to Ramsey Rd to get over to US 58 ALT.
VA 70 used 58 ALT, then SR 762 Matthews Rd, then 58 ALT, then likely SRs 688-798 through Tacoma, a smidge of 58 ALT, then SR 813 Old Norton-Coeburn Rd. VA 70 followed VA 158 through Coeburn. East of Coeburn, VA 64 used SR 893 Bull Run Rd, then back onto US 58 ALT. VA 70 followed 58 ALT for the most part to St. Paul except it used the Bull Hill Rd loop near Burtons Ford.
In June 1942 (CTB), VA 70 was removed from SR 726 and SR 727 loops in eastern Lee County.
About 1951, VA 70 north was truncated to Jonesville, replaced by US 58 ALT.
In May 1954 (CTB), VA 70 was downgraded to SR 798.

(1951 Official)
VA 70 truncated to Jonesville
1951 Official
(1955 Official)
VA 70 downgraded to SR 798
1955 Official
(1963 Official)
VA 70 back in the game
1963 Official

VA 70 ALT: Appears in several CTB minutes in 1949-50, referring to Kentucky Ave in Norton which was to eventually become mainline VA 70. By the time this was placed into the primary system in 1958, VA 70 had become US 58 ALT.

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Page last modified 27 March 2022