1 Mar 2021 A bill to rename “Jefferson Davis Highway” on U.S. Route 1 to “Emancipation Highway” passed the Virginia Senate Thursday in a 30-9 vote. The bill, which Del. Josh Cole (D-Fredericksburg) introduced, was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates by a 70-28 vote this month. The legislation will be headed to Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) desk for his signature, after which it will become law effective January 1, 2022. But even after the Senate vote, it remains unclear if the affected localities of Fredericksburg will rename U.S. 1 within their borders. The bill only applies to areas in the state where U.S. 1 is still named after former Confederate President Jefferson Davis.