Franklin County, Virginia

Wirtz Road extension

Franklin County intends to absorb tens of thousands of additional residents in coming decades. The fastest growth is in Scruggs on Smith Mountain Lake. A swath north of Gogginsville is expected to develop to suburban densities of two or three homes per acre. Yet the few roads connecting these growing communities are few and not designed for the car and truck traffic that will use them. Iron Ridge Road (Rt 775) has steep hills and sharp curves that make it treacherous in inclement weather or for trucks. Brick Church Road (Rt 697) also has a steep portion.

Wirtz Road (Rt. 697) ends at a traffic signal at Virgil Goode Highway (US 220). Anyone wishing to cross the highway at that point must dogleg about a mile.

Extending Wirtz Road to the west can provide a suitable all-purpose road to the communities of Dugwell, Retreat, and Callaway. After the route is chosen, each portion can be built as the land develops.