Corridor H

[seicer]

As of January 2024, Corridor H, also known as US Route 48, is a partially completed 157-mile four-lane expressway connecting Interstate 79 in Weston, West Virginia, to Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia. In West Virginia, most segments of Corridor H are complete. However, the segment from Karens to Parsons is under construction, while the Parsons to Davis and Wardensville to Virginia sections are still in the planning stages.

Traversing some of the most challenging mountainous terrain in the eastern United States, Corridor H crosses two significant rivers. The highway also runs through two national forests and is in proximity to about 150 native trout streams, thousands of acres of wetlands, high mountain bogs, and areas of karst terrain. Additionally, the route is near approximately 1,000 historic structures, five historic districts, two Civil War battlefields, and numerous abandoned coal mines.

I've posted many more photos and history here.

1 North Elkins bypass (January 2024)


2 Haddix Run Bridge west of Parsons (January 2024)


3 (August 2023)


4 (August 2023)


5 East of Davis (January 2024)


6 Near Davis and WV Route 32 (January 2024)


7 Allegheny Front (January 2024)


8 (January 2024)


9 Greenland (January 2024)


10 New Creek Mountain (January 2024)


11 (January 2024)


12 Clifford Hollow Bridge east of Moorefield (August 2023)


13 Bridge over the Lost River at Hanging Rock (August 2023)


13 (August 2023)


14 Bridge over the Lost River west of Wardensville (August 2023)


15 (August 2023)


16 Terminus of four-lane Corridor H at County Route 23/10 west of Wardensville (August 2023)

[tmoore952]

Very nice pictures!

I have driven the I-81 to Moorefield stretch about 10 times, and also used to drive through that area (e.g. Lost River) before the highway was ever built. It is amazing how different the same area feels to me when you are driving on the old roads (at surface elevation) and when you are driving on US 48 (how ever many feet you are above the same places when on the long bridges).

I would get off at Moorefield to head south on US 220 to places like Petersburg, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob etc.

Only once or twice have I ever ventured west of US 220, and the last time I did that was about 2013 or 2014 (I had no reason to go west of Moorefield save to see the new road). The road went maybe an additional 15 miles west at that time. I should get out there again and check it out. It'll get much easier for me to do this in a couple years.

[seicer]

About the closest you could get with the same elevation profile was WV Route 93 east of Davis. Most everything else was routed through valleys, making such dramatic views unattainable. I hope that WVDOH keeps the vegetation cut back to allow for the sweeping views.

[tmoore952]

I was reminded today via a family discussion that I have ancestry roots in the Phillipi-Belington-Kalamazoo (WV) area.

If I ever go out there again (wouldn't be for a couple years) I will use what I can of US 48 to go there (from DC area). At least now I have a semi-valid reason to use the road west of Moorefield.

EDIT - all of my previous trips out that way (3 hours to 4 hours, some were very long day trips) were done before I was a parent. Back then, it would not be unusual for me to decide to drive out there spur-of-the-moment. Driving a long stretch of road "just to see it" without another good reason to do so, doesn't happen anymore.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/0f8f8fafce874104be6d75e6a542873f

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Pages/Parsons-to-Davis.aspx

Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Corridor H segment between Parsons to Davis.

[seicer]

Thanks for posting this. It appears that 15% are in favor of the ROPA alternative, 83% for a different alternative (assuming it's the BAA 2 alternative), and 3% for neither.

"To minimize encroachment into the valley of the North Fork of the Blackwater River and within the Blackwater Industrial Complex Archaeological and Historic District, the Coketon bridge has been redesigned. The R-ROPA Coketon bridge will now be a steel arch structure with two piers located in previously disturbed reclamation areas within the historic district but well away from the mainline of the WVC&P historic railroad bed and the Powerhouse Site. Additionally, to further minimize the impact on the visual environment, the bridge has been raised an additional 75' above the valley floor."

I know this wouldn't be as high as New River Gorge, but a Corten steel arch structure could be a visual addition to the valley.

"Because of community concerns relating to pedestrian safety and connectivity between the City of Thomas and the Town of Davis."

Few walk between Thomas and Davis, although there is now a bike path partially constructed between the two. I'm not sure about the construction status, but having the highway less visually apparent through a reduction in the right-of-way or enhanced vegetation would be a plus.

If the state is still looking to pursue a truck bypass of Thomas, they should consider at least streetscaping the city - and streetscaping Davis. Both suffer from poor sidewalk connectivity, undefined parking areas, and stormwater control issues.

[Bitmapped]

Owners and representatives of 32 businesses in the Davis and Thomas area, including a number of popular tourist-centric places, sent a letter to USDOT secretary Pete Buttigieg asking that Corridor H be built on the northern route around Thomas rather than between Davis and Thomas.

Letter: https://www.wvhighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Thomas-and-Davis-Business-Owners-Letter-to-Pete-Buttigieg.pdf
Press release: https://www.wvhighlands.org/2024/07/24/business-owners-advocate-for-northern-route-for-corridor-h-to-protect-local-community-and-economy/

[bluecountry]

I agree with the letter, absolutely no need and a waste of limited resources.

[SP Cook]

There is, of course, no "northern alternative".  The route has been decided.  This is just another attempt by the environmental extremist minority that has tied up this needed route for decades to move the goal posts yet again. 

[froggie]

^ It's cute of you to think that.  But a lot of business owners in Thomas think otherwise.

From a system standpoint, it's worth at least revisiting the idea.  For starters, the "northern alternative" would eliminate the need to build a separate truck route around Thomas.

[Rothman]

Eh, it's a sticky wicket.  Although I'd be for some sort of "northern alignment" myself, to keep the highway further away from the natural sites, and recognizing the drive through Thomas is a pain for people trying to get anywhere else, I'm having a hard time seeing it as any less harmful economically to the communities.

Either way, the towns will be bypassed and either way, the mentioned gas stations and fast food will pop up in places detrimental to Davis or Thomas.

They should have focused on preserving the natural sites in their letter.

[1995hoo]

Everything is subject to change until it's actually built. The route of I-95 through Washington DC had been "decided" as well and look at how that turned out.

People who make condescending posts almost make me want to see the route changed or cancelled just to stick it to those sorts of people.

[Bitmapped]

There is, of course, no "northern alternative".  The route has been decided.  This is just another attempt by the environmental extremist minority that has tied up this needed route for decades to move the goal posts yet again. 

FHWA says otherwise. WVDOH has been required to do a new Supplemental EIS that specifically requires the study of Blackwater Avoidance Alternative 2, the "northern alternative." While WVDOH clearly has its own internal favorite, there is no valid Preferred Alternative until the SEIS is done.

See the Federal Register notice of the SEIS from February 2024: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/06/2024-02280/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-a-supplemental-environmental-impact-statement-for-a-proposed-highway

[Black-Man]

I am sure this post will get deleted, but why should WVDOH bother? Is there federal dollars specifically earmarked for this section of H which *have* to be spent? I know... never get between a government entity wanting to spend someone else's money.

Seems like precedent from WVDOH has already been set. 60 miles south in Lewisburg, they gave 2 options to the locals: build a 219 bypass or an additional interchange on I-64 west of the existing on US60. Locals were adamantly against both so WVDOH chose option 3: do nothing. Literally. To the point of torturing the locals - I sat at a light on 219 for over 2 minutes which had no cars enter the intersection - so they don't even spend the money to have activated signals (and traffic was backed up onto I-64 over a mile away).

So, do nothing. Make "safety improvements" to the existing 2-lane highway and let it go. Spend the money on the Coalfields/Twin Falls connector. A resort state park which has world-class mountain biking trails which no one knows about because it's off the beaten path. Problem solved.

[Bitmapped]

I am sure this post will get deleted, but why should WVDOH bother? Is there federal dollars specifically earmarked for this section of H which *have* to be spent? I know... never get between a government entity wanting to spend someone else's money.

Seems like precedent from WVDOH has already been set. 60 miles south in Lewisburg, they gave 2 options to the locals: build a 219 bypass or an additional interchange on I-64 west of the existing on US60. Locals were adamantly against both so WVDOH chose option 3: do nothing. Literally. To the point of torturing the locals - I sat at a light on 219 for over 2 minutes which had no cars enter the intersection - so they don't even spend the money to have activated signals (and traffic was backed up onto I-64 over a mile away).

State politicians want the West Virginia section of the corridor completed. I don't foresee them walking away. One route or the other will be built.

Also, any WVDOH signal install in the last 25+ years is actuated. If you were waiting on a signal that long, its detection was malfunctioning (a common issue in some districts) and should be reported.

[SP Cook]

So, do nothing. Make "safety improvements" to the existing 2-lane highway and let it go. Spend the money on the Coalfields/Twin Falls connector....Problem solved.

Corridor H is about 1000 times more important than the Coalfields Expressway.   In terms of need, safety, and economic development potential.   Even leaving out that the CFX will probably never be built past Pineville, nor should it be,it serves almost no purpose.

A tiny group of,well, extremists, have kept H from completion for 3 decades from when it should have been finished.   This sudden desire to force a complete redesign on a new route,again,is just a last Hail Mary, to stop progress.


Hopefully it won't work, and lives can be saved and lives can be transformed with economic growth.

As to anything Twin Falls being "world-class", have you ever even Ben to this insignificant state park?

[Dirt Roads]

Seems like precedent from WVDOH has already been set. 60 miles south in Lewisburg, they gave 2 options to the locals: build a 219 bypass or an additional interchange on I-64 west of the existing on US60. Locals were adamantly against both so WVDOH chose option 3: do nothing. Literally. To the point of torturing the locals - I sat at a light on 219 for over 2 minutes which had no cars enter the intersection - so they don't even spend the money to have activated signals (and traffic was backed up onto I-64 over a mile away).

Also, any WVDOH signal install in the last 25+ years is actuated. If you were waiting on a signal that long, its detection was malfunctioning (a common issue in some districts) and should be reported.

If this traffic issue was in the past few days, the State Fair of West Virginia is in full swing in Fairlea.  It's "fair game" to get stuck in bad traffic in Lewisburg.

[carbaugh2]

The most recent episode of WV on the DOT mentioned a bid letting coming in September for the Roaring Run bridge project.

Press release: https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/WVDOH_to_bid_next_section_of_Corridor_H_Kerens_to_Parsons.aspx

[seicer]

Seems like precedent from WVDOH has already been set. 60 miles south in Lewisburg, they gave 2 options to the locals: build a 219 bypass or an additional interchange on I-64 west of the existing on US60. Locals were adamantly against both so WVDOH chose option 3: do nothing. Literally. To the point of torturing the locals - I sat at a light on 219 for over 2 minutes which had no cars enter the intersection - so they don't even spend the money to have activated signals (and traffic was backed up onto I-64 over a mile away).

Also, any WVDOH signal install in the last 25+ years is actuated. If you were waiting on a signal that long, its detection was malfunctioning (a common issue in some districts) and should be reported.

If this traffic issue was in the past few days, the State Fair of West Virginia is in full swing in Fairlea.  It's "fair game" to get stuck in bad traffic in Lewisburg.

Yeah, it's not that big of a deal, and locals get used to it. Traffic was moving pretty well for the fair this year, especially on the night with Lil Jon. If you want to go north, take US 219 or hop over to WV 63 to Caldwell. Going west? WV 63 to either WV 20 or WV 12. Going south? US 219. Traffic lights are also manually operated during peak times.

But as much as WVDOH has pushed for an interchange at US 60 or for a bypass, locals just do not want it. They do not want Lewisburg to sprawl further west into prime farmland or impact the karst topography. It's bad enough that the town sprawls between Ronceverte and the airport along US 219, but that's more of a planning issue than anything else. And remember the debacle when WVDOH was pushing for a modernized US 219 corridor (two and four lanes) between Lewisburg and Elkins? That died because people were content with not destroying their rural and agrarian way of life. Not everything needs to be expressways and freeways, especially in places where there just isn't the traffic demand.

[sprjus4]

Seems like precedent from WVDOH has already been set. 60 miles south in Lewisburg, they gave 2 options to the locals: build a 219 bypass or an additional interchange on I-64 west of the existing on US60. Locals were adamantly against both so WVDOH chose option 3: do nothing. Literally. To the point of torturing the locals - I sat at a light on 219 for over 2 minutes which had no cars enter the intersection - so they don't even spend the money to have activated signals (and traffic was backed up onto I-64 over a mile away).

Also, any WVDOH signal install in the last 25+ years is actuated. If you were waiting on a signal that long, its detection was malfunctioning (a common issue in some districts) and should be reported.

If this traffic issue was in the past few days, the State Fair of West Virginia is in full swing in Fairlea.  It's "fair game" to get stuck in bad traffic in Lewisburg.

Yeah, it's not that big of a deal, and locals get used to it. Traffic was moving pretty well for the fair this year, especially on the night with Lil Jon. If you want to go north, take US 219 or hop over to WV 63 to Caldwell. Going west? WV 63 to either WV 20 or WV 12. Going south? US 219. Traffic lights are also manually operated during peak times.

But as much as WVDOH has pushed for an interchange at US 60 or for a bypass, locals just do not want it. They do not want Lewisburg to sprawl further west into prime farmland or impact the karst topography. It's bad enough that the town sprawls between Ronceverte and the airport along US 219, but that's more of a planning issue than anything else. And remember the debacle when WVDOH was pushing for a modernized US 219 corridor (two and four lanes) between Lewisburg and Elkins? That died because people were content with not destroying their rural and agrarian way of life. Not everything needs to be expressways and freeways, especially in places where there just isn't the traffic demand.

I wouldn't say modernizing the route to have more gentle curves, wider shoulder and lane widths, and occasional passing lanes (a super two design) is "destroying their rural and agrarian way of life." Having a safe, modern road doesn't need to equate to traffic demand.

Look at VDOT did to US-220 between Eagle Rock and Iron Gate (south of I-64). No massive 4 lane highway expansion or destroying the rural way of life... low volume route, making the alignment safer and wider.

[Black-Man]

Corridor H is about 1000 times more important than the Coalfields Expressway.   In terms of need, safety, and economic development potential.   Even leaving out that the CFX will probably never be built past Pineville, nor should it be,it serves almost no purpose.

As to anything Twin Falls being "world-class", have you ever even Ben to this insignificant state park?

The idea behind CFX is bringing access to the region of West Virginia where the majority of coal production over the past century has taken place and has been the backbone of state business taxes during this same period. CFX is the first 4-lane highway in Wyoming County.

As far as your inane question, yes. The course at Twin Falls in one of only 3 IMBA sanctioned courses for NICA races in the state of West Virginia. I am sure you have no clue what IMBA or NICA are since your grasp of grammar seems to be lacking as well.

 

[SP Cook]

The idea of the CFX, and the equally pointless KCH, is to build roads through places that no longer have economic value. 

Why?

Your answer, when not playing grammar Nazi (first one to play grammar Nazi automatically loses), is "umm, years ago there were coal mines there". 

OK.  And? 

The criteria for building a road is not that it was a coal producing area, a century ago.

Blunt fact is the region has almost literally zero economic potential.  Just look at areas with similar topography, but no coal.  Almost no one lives there.  Because it is not productive land.  With the coal gone (literally or legally, take your pick) no one need live there.  And, people not being stupid (well most of them) most have figured it out.  Wyoming has 21K, down from 37K at the peak.  McDowell, one of the poorest counties in the country, has 19K, down from NINETY NINE THOUSAND at the peak.  The Virginia counties have a similar story, as do the KCH counties.  It is an abandoned area.  A ghost region, if you will.  No one, almost literally, is left but people living it out on pensions earned before the collapse, welfare addicts, drug addicts, and criminals (the last three groups having a lot of overlap). 

So build a CFX of 108 miles through abandoned terrain to pass through five counties with barely less than 120K total residents.  Connecting the metropolises of Beckley, Welch, Grundy and Pound?  Lets go to the map.  It is less than 40 miles more to us the, mostly complete, I-77 and Corridor Q, etc.  108 miles of mega expensive road through an area that is already unpopulated, has no economic potential, will lose another 25% of its population in the next generation (or more), and which will do nothing (because nothing can) to make this steep woodland useful) about economics.  All to save a half hour of driving for the vast number of people that actually want to go from Beckley to Pound.

The KCH makes even less sense.  Yet more useless land, save for the northern end near Huntington, which is much flatter, 160 miles of construction, through yet more bombed out counties.  Or take I-64 and I-77.  Which is five mile longer. 

Meanwhile, Corridor H, has the potential to open up major parts of the state to the Virgina Inland Port, the east coast megamarket, and take some of the pressure, at least a little, of I-81.  About 1000 times more important, although as a function of pure math, it really is impossible to put a number on how much more important H is than the two boondoggle projects, as neither has any importance at all.

And, no I don't know what those letter mean.  Assume it is some niche hobby of your that you wish the taxpayers to subsidize.  OK.  But your standard for "world class" are pretty low is a place can be such by being one of three in a small US state.  Yellowstone is world class.  Being the only Denny's for 200 miles isn't.

[Scott5114]

The idea of the CFX, and the equally pointless KCH, is to build roads through places that no longer have economic value. 

Why?

Your answer, when not playing grammar Nazi (first one to play grammar Nazi automatically loses), is "umm, years ago there were coal mines there". 

OK.  And? 

The criteria for building a road is not that it was a coal producing area, a century ago.

Blunt fact is the region has almost literally zero economic potential.  Just look at areas with similar topography, but no coal.  Almost no one lives there.  Because it is not productive land.  With the coal gone (literally or legally, take your pick) no one need live there.  And, people not being stupid (well most of them) most have figured it out.  Wyoming has 21K, down from 37K at the peak.  McDowell, one of the poorest counties in the country, has 19K, down from NINETY NINE THOUSAND at the peak.  The Virginia counties have a similar story, as do the KCH counties.  It is an abandoned area.  A ghost region, if you will.  No one, almost literally, is left but people living it out on pensions earned before the collapse, welfare addicts, drug addicts, and criminals (the last three groups having a lot of overlap). 

So build a CFX of 108 miles through abandoned terrain to pass through five counties with barely less than 120K total residents.  Connecting the metropolises of Beckley, Welch, Grundy and Pound?  Lets go to the map.  It is less than 40 miles more to us the, mostly complete, I-77 and Corridor Q, etc.  108 miles of mega expensive road through an area that is already unpopulated, has no economic potential, will lose another 25% of its population in the next generation (or more), and which will do nothing (because nothing can) to make this steep woodland useful) about economics.  All to save a half hour of driving for the vast number of people that actually want to go from Beckley to Pound.

The KCH makes even less sense.  Yet more useless land, save for the northern end near Huntington, which is much flatter, 160 miles of construction, through yet more bombed out counties.  Or take I-64 and I-77.  Which is five mile longer. 

Meanwhile, Corridor H, has the potential to open up major parts of the state to the Virgina Inland Port, the east coast megamarket, and take some of the pressure, at least a little, of I-81.  About 1000 times more important, although as a function of pure math, it really is impossible to put a number on how much more important H is than the two boondoggle projects, as neither has any importance at all.

And, no I don't know what those letter mean.  Assume it is some niche hobby of your that you wish the taxpayers to subsidize.  OK.  But your standard for "world class" are pretty low is a place can be such by being one of three in a small US state.  Yellowstone is world class.  Being the only Denny's for 200 miles isn't.

This post has more right parentheses than left parentheses.

[Henry]

The idea of the CFX, and the equally pointless KCH, is to build roads through places that no longer have economic value. 

Why?

Your answer, when not playing grammar Nazi (first one to play grammar Nazi automatically loses), is "umm, years ago there were coal mines there". 

OK.  And? 

The criteria for building a road is not that it was a coal producing area, a century ago.

Blunt fact is the region has almost literally zero economic potential.  Just look at areas with similar topography, but no coal.  Almost no one lives there.  Because it is not productive land.  With the coal gone (literally or legally, take your pick) no one need live there.  And, people not being stupid (well most of them) most have figured it out.  Wyoming has 21K, down from 37K at the peak.  McDowell, one of the poorest counties in the country, has 19K, down from NINETY NINE THOUSAND at the peak.  The Virginia counties have a similar story, as do the KCH counties.  It is an abandoned area.  A ghost region, if you will.  No one, almost literally, is left but people living it out on pensions earned before the collapse, welfare addicts, drug addicts, and criminals (the last three groups having a lot of overlap). 

So build a CFX of 108 miles through abandoned terrain to pass through five counties with barely less than 120K total residents.  Connecting the metropolises of Beckley, Welch, Grundy and Pound?  Lets go to the map.  It is less than 40 miles more to us the, mostly complete, I-77 and Corridor Q, etc.  108 miles of mega expensive road through an area that is already unpopulated, has no economic potential, will lose another 25% of its population in the next generation (or more), and which will do nothing (because nothing can) to make this steep woodland useful) about economics.  All to save a half hour of driving for the vast number of people that actually want to go from Beckley to Pound.

The KCH makes even less sense.  Yet more useless land, save for the northern end near Huntington, which is much flatter, 160 miles of construction, through yet more bombed out counties.  Or take I-64 and I-77.  Which is five mile longer. 

Meanwhile, Corridor H, has the potential to open up major parts of the state to the Virgina Inland Port, the east coast megamarket, and take some of the pressure, at least a little, of I-81.  About 1000 times more important, although as a function of pure math, it really is impossible to put a number on how much more important H is than the two boondoggle projects, as neither has any importance at all.

And, no I don't know what those letter mean.  Assume it is some niche hobby of your that you wish the taxpayers to subsidize.  OK.  But your standard for "world class" are pretty low is a place can be such by being one of three in a small US state.  Yellowstone is world class.  Being the only Denny's for 200 miles isn't.

This post has more right parentheses than left parentheses.

Not to mention the stench of negativity. The Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway are just as important as Corridor H, mainly because they'd be tremendous improvements over the deadly two- (and sometimes three) lane roads that currently exist, especially US 52. Sure, the King Coal may be screwed out of ever getting I-73/I-74 routed onto it due to the presence of at-grade intersections, but it's still needed for safety reasons. Ditto for the Coalfields. While Corridor H would be the most valuable new road for WV, the other two should be worked on as well. And population be damned, who would want to live in the mountains anyway? Not like it's these three are the first roads to go through absolutely nothing (see US 6/US 50 through NV and most rural roads out west), but for safety and convenience, they're very much needed right now.

[Bitmapped]

Not to mention the stench of negativity. The Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway are just as important as Corridor H, mainly because they'd be tremendous improvements over the deadly two- (and sometimes three) lane roads that currently exist, especially US 52. Sure, the King Coal may be screwed out of ever getting I-73/I-74 routed onto it due to the presence of at-grade intersections, but it's still needed for safety reasons. Ditto for the Coalfields. While Corridor H would be the most valuable new road for WV, the other two should be worked on as well. And population be damned, who would want to live in the mountains anyway? Not like it's these three are the first roads to go through absolutely nothing (see US 6/US 50 through NV and most rural roads out west), but for safety and convenience, they're very much needed right now.

Spot improvements and rebuilds mostly along the existing rights of way could provide similar safety improvements and even better access to local properties at a fraction of the cost of the King Coal Highway and Coalfields Expressway. The new roads are being built largely on ridgetops with many miles between access points, which limits their usefulness to those living along the existing roads.

West Virginia has needs for safety and capacity improvements on many roads, including ones with traffic counts well above the Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway corridors. There's a finite amount of money to go around. Funds spent on these projects are not available for use on others that would benefit more people.