Virginia State Route 43
Encyclopedia
Virginia State Route 43 (SR 43) is a primary state highway
in the U.S. state of Virginia
. The state highway consists of two disjoint segments that have a total length of 61.2 miles (98.5 km). The southern portion of the state highway runs 39.79 miles (64 km) from U.S. Route 29 Business (US 29 Business) in Altavista
north to the Blue Ridge Parkway
at Peaks of Otter
. The northern segment has a length of 21.41 miles (34.5 km) between the Blue Ridge Parkway near Buchanan
and US 220 in Eagle Rock
. The two sections of SR 43 are connected by 4.9 miles (7.9 km) of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The southern portion of the state highway connects Altavista with Bedford
and Peaks of Otter. The northern section of SR 43 follows the James River
through a narrow valley between Buchanan and Eagle Rock.
, which forms the boundary between Campbell
and Pittsylvania
counties. The junction is also adjacent to the crossing of Norfolk Southern Railway
's Altavista and Danville district rail lines. SR 43 heads northwest as Bedford Avenue to the town limit at the highway's diamond interchange
with US 29 (Wards Road). The state highway continues north as Bedford Highway toward Lynch Station
, where the highway curves to the southwest to parallel the north bank of the Roanoke River. At Leesville
, a short distance north of the impoundment of the river to form Leesville Lake
, SR 43 begins to follow Goose Creek and enters Bedford County
. The state highway, now named Leesville Road, veers northwest and intersects SR 626 (Smith Mountain Lake Parkway) and SR 628 (Mentow Drive) in the hamlet of Mentow. SR 628 is also known as Bishop Creek Road, which provides a shorter, parallel route to SR 43 between Lynch Station and Mentow.
In the hamlet of Gillespie, SR 43 intersects SR 24 (Wyatts Way); the two highways head west concurrently
as Glenwood Drive. West of Gillespie, SR 24 continues west as Shingle Block Road and SR 43 heads north along Virginia Byway toward Bedford, where the highway becomes South Street. Just after entering the independent city
, the state highway crosses over US 460 with no access. Just south of downtown, SR 43 splits into a pair of two-way street: northbound follows Talbott Street and Otey Street to Main Street while southbound follows South Street, which is one-way southbound for one block immediately south of Main Street. SR 43 turns west onto Main Street and has a very short concurrency with US 460 Business. Two blocks to the west, SR 43 turns north onto Bridge Street, where the highway runs together with US 221 and SR 122 Business across Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge District. North of the railroad bridge, SR 43 turns west onto Peak Street; US 221 and SR 122 Business heads northeast on Longwood Avenue.
SR 43 exits the city of Bedford on Peaks Road, which crosses the Otter River
on its way to Blue Ridge Mountain. The state highway enters Jefferson National Forest and ascends the mountain among the Peaks of Otter. The southern section of SR 43 reaches its northern terminus at the Blue Ridge Parkway adjacent to the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The Blue Ridge Parkway heads northwest to Bearwallow Gap, where the northern section of SR 43 begins at an interchange. The state highway, which is named Parkway Drive, enters Botetourt County
and descends Cove Mountain to the town of Buchanan. SR 43 turns onto Main Street and has a short concurrency with US 11 to cross the James River
. On the north side of the river, the state highway turns west onto First Street and leaves the town as Narrow Passage Road, which re-enters the national forest. SR 43 passes under Interstate 81
with no access and parallels the river to the community of Eagle Rock, where the highway is known as Second Street and passes through a water gap between Rathole Mountain and Crawford Mountain. The state highway follows the river north a short distance to its northern terminus at US 220 (Botetourt Road).
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|Campbell
|rowspan=2|Altavista
|0.00
|
|Southern terminus
|-
|1.58
|
|Interchange
|-9.32
|rowspan=2|Bedford
|rowspan=2|Gillespie
|16.94
|
|South end of concurrency with SR 24
|-
|19.52
|
|North end of concurrency with SR 24
|-
|rowspan=3 colspan=2|City of Bedford
|28.99
|
|South end of concurrency with US 460 Business
|-
|29.14
|
|North end of concurrency with US 460 Business; south end of concurrency with US 221 and SR 122 Business
|-
|29.41
|
|Nouth end of concurrency with US 221 and SR 122 Business
|-
|rowspan=3|Bedford
|Peaks of Otter
|39.79
|Blue Ridge Parkway
– Shenandoah National Park
|Northern end of southern section of SR 43
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|Southern and northern sections of SR 43 are connected by 4.9 miles (7.9 km) of the Blue Ridge Parkway
|-
|
|0.00
|Blue Ridge Parkway
– Great Smoky Mountains National Park
|Interchange; southern end of northern section of SR 43
|-
|rowspan=3|Botetourt
|rowspan=2|Buchanan
|4.64
|
|South end of concurrency with US 11
|-
|4.82
|
|North end of concurrency with US 11
|-
|Eagle Rock
|21.41
|
|Northern terminus
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The state highway consists of two disjoint segments that have a total length of 61.2 miles (98.5 km). The southern portion of the state highway runs 39.79 miles (64 km) from U.S. Route 29 Business (US 29 Business) in Altavista
Altavista, Virginia
Altavista is an incorporated town in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,450 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-A new town on a new railroad:...
north to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
at Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are...
. The northern segment has a length of 21.41 miles (34.5 km) between the Blue Ridge Parkway near Buchanan
Buchanan, Virginia
Buchanan is a town in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Buchanan is located at ....
and US 220 in Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Eagle Rock is an unincorporated community in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located on the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan, Virginia.-Geography:Eagle Rock is located at . Its elevation is .-History:...
. The two sections of SR 43 are connected by 4.9 miles (7.9 km) of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The southern portion of the state highway connects Altavista with Bedford
Bedford, Virginia
Bedford is an independent city located within the confines of Bedford County in the U.S. state of Virginia. It serves as the county seat of Bedford County. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 6,222. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Bedford with surrounding Bedford...
and Peaks of Otter. The northern section of SR 43 follows the James River
James River
The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...
through a narrow valley between Buchanan and Eagle Rock.
Route description
SR 43 has two disjoint sections. SR 43 begins at an intersection with US 29 Business (Main Street) in the town of Altavista. The terminus is just north of the Roanoke RiverRoanoke River
The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...
, which forms the boundary between Campbell
Campbell County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,078 people, 20,639 households, and 14,694 families residing in the county. The population density was 101 people per square mile . There were 22,088 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
and Pittsylvania
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,745 people, 24,684 households, and 18,216 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile . There were 28,011 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
counties. The junction is also adjacent to the crossing of Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
's Altavista and Danville district rail lines. SR 43 heads northwest as Bedford Avenue to the town limit at the highway's diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
with US 29 (Wards Road). The state highway continues north as Bedford Highway toward Lynch Station
Lynch Station, Virginia
Lynch Station is an unincorporated community in Campbell County, Virginia. It is just north of the town of Altavista. Although technically in Campbell County, some areas in the southeastern part of neighboring Bedford County use Lynch Station as their address. Lynch Station's elevation is 705...
, where the highway curves to the southwest to parallel the north bank of the Roanoke River. At Leesville
Leesville, Virginia
Leesville is an unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, in the U. S. state of Virginia.-References:*...
, a short distance north of the impoundment of the river to form Leesville Lake
Leesville Lake
Leesville Lake is a reservoir in Virginia, the United States used for Hydro-Electric power generation in conjunction with Smith Mountain Lake as a pump storage project....
, SR 43 begins to follow Goose Creek and enters Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
. The state highway, now named Leesville Road, veers northwest and intersects SR 626 (Smith Mountain Lake Parkway) and SR 628 (Mentow Drive) in the hamlet of Mentow. SR 628 is also known as Bishop Creek Road, which provides a shorter, parallel route to SR 43 between Lynch Station and Mentow.
In the hamlet of Gillespie, SR 43 intersects SR 24 (Wyatts Way); the two highways head west concurrently
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
as Glenwood Drive. West of Gillespie, SR 24 continues west as Shingle Block Road and SR 43 heads north along Virginia Byway toward Bedford, where the highway becomes South Street. Just after entering the independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
, the state highway crosses over US 460 with no access. Just south of downtown, SR 43 splits into a pair of two-way street: northbound follows Talbott Street and Otey Street to Main Street while southbound follows South Street, which is one-way southbound for one block immediately south of Main Street. SR 43 turns west onto Main Street and has a very short concurrency with US 460 Business. Two blocks to the west, SR 43 turns north onto Bridge Street, where the highway runs together with US 221 and SR 122 Business across Norfolk Southern's Blue Ridge District. North of the railroad bridge, SR 43 turns west onto Peak Street; US 221 and SR 122 Business heads northeast on Longwood Avenue.
SR 43 exits the city of Bedford on Peaks Road, which crosses the Otter River
Otter River (Virginia)
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Virginia...
on its way to Blue Ridge Mountain. The state highway enters Jefferson National Forest and ascends the mountain among the Peaks of Otter. The southern section of SR 43 reaches its northern terminus at the Blue Ridge Parkway adjacent to the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. The Blue Ridge Parkway heads northwest to Bearwallow Gap, where the northern section of SR 43 begins at an interchange. The state highway, which is named Parkway Drive, enters Botetourt County
Botetourt County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile . There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
and descends Cove Mountain to the town of Buchanan. SR 43 turns onto Main Street and has a short concurrency with US 11 to cross the James River
James River
The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...
. On the north side of the river, the state highway turns west onto First Street and leaves the town as Narrow Passage Road, which re-enters the national forest. SR 43 passes under Interstate 81
Interstate 81 in Virginia
Interstate 81 is an long highway. In the U.S. state of Virginia, I-81 runs for , making it longer in Virginia than in any other state. It stretches from the Tennessee state line near Bristol to the West Virginia state line near Winchester. U.S...
with no access and parallels the river to the community of Eagle Rock, where the highway is known as Second Street and passes through a water gap between Rathole Mountain and Crawford Mountain. The state highway follows the river north a short distance to its northern terminus at US 220 (Botetourt Road).
Major intersections
{| class=wikitable!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|Campbell
Campbell County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,078 people, 20,639 households, and 14,694 families residing in the county. The population density was 101 people per square mile . There were 22,088 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|Altavista
Altavista, Virginia
Altavista is an incorporated town in Campbell County, Virginia, United States. The population was 3,450 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-A new town on a new railroad:...
|0.00
|
|Southern terminus
|-
|1.58
|
|Interchange
|-9.32
|rowspan=2|Bedford
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|Gillespie
|16.94
|
|South end of concurrency with SR 24
|-
|19.52
|
|North end of concurrency with SR 24
|-
|rowspan=3 colspan=2|City of Bedford
Bedford, Virginia
Bedford is an independent city located within the confines of Bedford County in the U.S. state of Virginia. It serves as the county seat of Bedford County. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 6,222. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Bedford with surrounding Bedford...
|28.99
|
|South end of concurrency with US 460 Business
|-
|29.14
|
|North end of concurrency with US 460 Business; south end of concurrency with US 221 and SR 122 Business
|-
|29.41
|
|Nouth end of concurrency with US 221 and SR 122 Business
|-
|rowspan=3|Bedford
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
|Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are...
|39.79
|Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
– Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. This national park is long and narrow, with the broad Shenandoah River and valley on the west side, and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont on the east...
|Northern end of southern section of SR 43
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|Southern and northern sections of SR 43 are connected by 4.9 miles (7.9 km) of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
|-
|
|0.00
|Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
– Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North...
|Interchange; southern end of northern section of SR 43
|-
|rowspan=3|Botetourt
Botetourt County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile . There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
|rowspan=2|Buchanan
Buchanan, Virginia
Buchanan is a town in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Buchanan is located at ....
|4.64
|
|South end of concurrency with US 11
|-
|4.82
|
|North end of concurrency with US 11
|-
|Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Eagle Rock is an unincorporated community in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located on the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan, Virginia.-Geography:Eagle Rock is located at . Its elevation is .-History:...
|21.41
|
|Northern terminus