| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Paula K Jones . 434-856-8176 lynchburginfo@VirginiaDOT.org |
LYN-04-097 May 1, 2004 |
U.S. 58 BYPASS OF DANVILLE TO OPEN Road to be called Archie T. Gammon Highway
The three projects that comprise the US 58 Bypass of Danville will finally be put to the test next week following opening ceremonies for the Archie T. Gammon Highway. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 7, 2004. The road will officially open to traffic several hours later once finally signing and removal of barriers is complete.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors requested the naming of the Bypass by resolution last year and the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved in October 2003. Gammon, a Pittsylvania County native, died January 11, 1945 near Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge following a valiant effort to save his comrades. Having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was a member of the U.S. Army’s Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division (the “Super Sixth”). He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism. A Danville Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, is also named in Gammon’s memory.
Branch Highways of Roanoke, VA and Haymes Brothers, Inc. of Chatham were awarded one and two contracts for construction of the new roadway, respectively. The Branch project, approximately $20.1 million in cost, began at the intersection with existing US 58 and ran 4.1 km south of the intersection with existing US 58. An approximately $26 million Haymes Brothers project began at this point and ended 2.1 km west of existing US 29. The second Haymes Brothers project, valued at approximately $23 million, started at that point and ended 1.6 km east of existing US 29. The final touches in preparation for opening the road to traffic are currently underway.
The public is invited to the event that will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the weigh station. Take U.S. 58 West from the City of Danville to Route 870 (Vandola Road). Take a right on Route 872 (Vandola Church Road) and, then, left on Route 1260 (Oak Ridge Farms Road) to the new highway. Assistance will be provided to the event site.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors requested the naming of the Bypass by resolution last year and the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved in October 2003. Gammon, a Pittsylvania County native, died January 11, 1945 near Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge following a valiant effort to save his comrades. Having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was a member of the U.S. Army’s Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division (the “Super Sixth”). He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism. A Danville Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, is also named in Gammon’s memory.
Branch Highways of Roanoke, VA and Haymes Brothers, Inc. of Chatham were awarded one and two contracts for construction of the new roadway, respectively. The Branch project, approximately $20.1 million in cost, began at the intersection with existing US 58 and ran 4.1 km south of the intersection with existing US 58. An approximately $26 million Haymes Brothers project began at this point and ended 2.1 km west of existing US 29. The second Haymes Brothers project, valued at approximately $23 million, started at that point and ended 1.6 km east of existing US 29. The final touches in preparation for opening the road to traffic are currently underway.
The public is invited to the event that will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the weigh station. Take U.S. 58 West from the City of Danville to Route 870 (Vandola Road). Take a right on Route 872 (Vandola Church Road) and, then, left on Route 1260 (Oak Ridge Farms Road) to the new highway. Assistance will be provided to the event site.
Page last modified: Dec. 29, 2004
