| US 29 continues northward as the transition from the Southern Virginia Piedmont to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains begins. US 29 is a four lane ribbon of highway winding through the countryside. The mainline no longer visits towns like Chatham and the numerous churches there. Nor does it visit the hearts of Gretna, Hurt, or Altavista. However, in between these small towns, the rural charm of South Central Virginia is showcased. In the upcoming years, many changes may occur to the US 29 landscape. The Virginia Department of Transportation US 29 Corridor Study has suggested the building of a US 29 freeway throughout this segment. This freeway would include the current existing bypasses of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt-Altavista. These existing bypasses and interchanges would be upgraded to modern standards. The rest of the freeway would be built on a new alignment, replacing the four lane road that in some cases was widened as recently as the mid-1970s. (1) | 
US 29 rolls through Pittsylvania County. |
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Chatham & Chatham Bypass |
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| The
Town
of Chatham is known for its 'Old South' charm and numerous Victorian
Era homes. It is a small town of 1300, and the small central area
doesn't seem to miss the traffic speeding by on the bypass built to the
east in 1965. Business US 29, the old route through town, is lined
with storefronts, a fabulous courthouse built in 1853, and many beautiful
and architecturally stunning homes. Business US 29 rides through
Chatham on Main Street, and on the north end of town there is a wide sweeping
curve as you exit Chatham. This curve is a result of a successful
petition in 1832 by Dr. Robert Coles, whom the homestead was built nearby.
"He wanted his new house to be situated in a grove of oak trees, which,
inconveniently, was the location of the main road north from the town."
(2) His petition proved successful and what is now Main Street was
moved several yards to the west.
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| Gretna & Gretna Bypass | |
