In 1961 , U.S. Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges rejected that plan .
In 1961 , U.S. Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges chose the present route , leaving Lynchburg as the largest city in Virginia not served by an interstate .
In 1961 , U.S. Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges rejected that plan and chose the present route , leaving Lynchburg as the largest city in Virginia not served by an interstate .