Route 58 West bypass opens

DANVILLE - A large crowd gathered Friday to welcome the opening of the Archer T. Gammon Highway Route 58

Bypass near Danville.

The multi-million dollar bypass, named for a Pittsylvania County native who died during the Battle of the Bulge on Jan. 11, 1945, carries traffic around the western edge of Danville.

Construction of the Route 58 bypass is part of a 650-mile program that stretches across the southern part of the state.

Branch Highways of Roanoke, 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 U.S. 58, and ran 4.1 km south of the intersection with existing U.S. 58.

At approximately $26 million, Haymes Brothers project began at this point and ended 2.1 km west of existing U.S. 29.

The second Haymes Brothers project, valued at approximately $23 million, started at that point and ended 1.6 km east of existing U.S. 29.

"This is one of the most beautiful bypasses that you will ever see in this state and I'm proud of that," said Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Coy Harville.

Danville Mayor John Hamlin said the bypass will help ease congestion on Riverside Drive and improve commerce in the area.

Keynote speaker Kenneth White, the Lynchburg District representative on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, praised Gammon for his heroism.

White said the Route 58 bypass is part of a larger goal for the state - that of a four-lane highway from the Atlantic coast to the southwestern tip of Virginia.

"Route 58 is Virginia's longest roadway and traverses five VDOT districts and runs through 14 counties and four cities," White said.

Gammon's younger brother Calvin Gammon said he was proud that his brother was being recognized.

"He was just a plain country boy," Gammon added.

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