Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-07-02
COMMUNIC ATlONS-Fo- The p1reiuian

7LInchJurg and Blue Ridge Turnpike Company
Feeling much interest IN the road eonienpa
ted 10 be constructed by the above company
the writer has examined the report of Pihe rin-
cipal Engineer ofthe State OF a survey Dor a
road from Lynchburg TO Lexington, mace in
0c eber, 1927 and has examined also the
journal OF the House of Delegates Tor its last
session and proposes TO submit TO those WIN
feel an Interest /" this important road. he re
suit of his investigation and reflection. The
report above referred TO commences as fol.
lows:
This survey was made during the month
OF October. The principal difficulty between
Lynchburg and Lexington, is the Blue Ridge
the most direct depression in which is Robert
sons Gap, which is situated little 20 the
North ola straight course between the above
places the Gap of James river. through which
the Canal has been located, is somew hat far.
Their 10 the South OF the same line. But there
being several considerable ridges between
lynchbsrg aud Robertson's Gap il cannot b
approached without much winding; and | am
therefore, convinced, that road through this
Gap would be rendered much longer by its ne
cessary windngs among the spurs Of the Blue
Ridge, and by the graduation over the main
mountain itself, which is higher there Than one
passing through the chasln made by James ri.
yer. II would, besides, not be SO eligible on
many other accounts.
Z" A road through Robertson's Gan. even if as
short, would be much more lahorious TO travel
than one by the canal, which would encounter
no ridges, and be frequently Oh long stretches of
level ground. The latter route, has, moreover
the advantage TO lead more directly towards
the Natural Bridge and Patonsbnrg, ms well as
Lexington. The canal itself, if it could be east.
~ approached, is an object Of curiosity that
travellers would frequently be inclined to visit
and, lastly, the North branch not being Away
hav,gab'e, u may often be advaniageo 10 ear
Ty the produce by Wagons from Lexington TO
me canal, which the proposed route will facill-
cate.
Having come to the conclusion, that there
would De many advantages 10 pass by the GA
mai, examined the intervening ground. Two
routes presented themselves I; the one leading
on the South side Of James river, to the lower
emu OF the canal, and crossing the liver at The
pubic bridge the Other crossing il ct the
mouth OF Sugar Tree Branch, above Pedlar
i"er' and reaching the extremity Of the Nor
oern section Of the canal, at the Toll House,
near the head Of the Bridge"
:. ihe Engineers report, after exhibiting the
distance, from actual measurement OF the two
tou'es, procee DIS thus 1" Showing n difference
'e'ween the two routes, and in japor of that
~ me South side, Of nearly one mile /: besides
""ch, II must be observed, that the location OF
..e last route would not increase its length
'"e angles Of ascent and descent In the survey
exceeding but seldom less than S degrees, and
maj generally for q short distance only, and
Iere being no ridge TO cross, aud a great part
~ ~ 'ns road being along the river whereas, en-
'ne NORTH side, the road would certainly be
''Ae longer than the survey by proper gra-