COURTLAND—Southampton County supervisors on Monday supported a resolution to keep Tucker Swamp Road near Ivor open once the new U.S. Route 460 is built.

Reports have indicated that the $1.4 billion, 55-mile toll road will cut through Tucker Swamp Road, creating dead-ends on both sides. Construction of the highway, which will connect Suffolk with Petersburg, is expected to begin next year.

Berlin-Ivor District Supervisor Ronnie West said dissecting Tucker Swamp Road would have an unfavorable economic impact on Western Tidewater.

“Many from the Ivor area take Tucker Swamp Road to Franklin to do their shopping,” West said. “We will start spending our money in Suffolk instead of Franklin.”

The road also leads to Tucker Swamp Church, which West says has one of the largest memberships among churches in Southampton County.

He also understands the Board of Supervisors will have a say in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s decision concerning the future of Tucker Swamp Road.