From 581,  turn into 73

Virginia lawmakers cannot oil every squeaky wheel, but they aren’t likely to grease a silent one. Knowing this, Roanoke City Council will make some noise and call for the construction of Interstate 73 from Interstate 81 to the state border. Not that council members realistically expect to see the entirety of it this decade or next, but any little piece will help.

Should Virginia invest in a segment that extends Interstate 581 through Roanoke County and into Franklin County, that highway could be renamed I-73. City officials flirted briefly with just asking for the name change, given its value to economic developers who could say Roanoke has not one, but two interstates. But unless the pavement lives up to the pitch, none would be fooled by the ruse.

Which brings in the second advantage to getting a segment under way: momentum. A few miles here could signal Virginia’s seriousness in building its part of the interstate, which could prompt North Carolina to recommit, and so on. None of which will happen overnight. And none of which will happen unless the region starts talking loudly and often of the interstate’s importance.

Roanoke intends to put it high on its legislative agenda. Others would be wise to follow suit. Let’s make some noise.

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