AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Mid-Atlantic => Topic started by: logan230 on October 16, 2014, 05:42:37 PM

Title: West Virginia
Post by: logan230 on October 16, 2014, 05:42:37 PM
There's a Delaware topic, a VA topic, MD, DC. Not West Virginia.
Here you go.
Post whatever you want that's related to the Eastern Panhandle West Virginia.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on October 16, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
Post whatever you want that's related to the Eastern Panhandle.

We have gone well beyond the Eastern Panhandle counties in the Mid-Atlantic forum, notably in discussing ADHS Corridor H. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on January 11, 2018, 03:59:36 PM
This might be going a bit high. 65 MPH-70 MPH is fine for four-lanes and corridor routes, and 70 MPH is fine for interstates. I can see 75 MPH on certain segments, like I-64 east of Beckley, but for I-64 near Huntington? No. The bill would also not allow for 80 MPH speeds in cities, so you can scratch higher speeds inside Huntington, Charleston, Martinsburg, et. al.

http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Proposed-bill-would-raise--468637773.html

"A bill introduced in the W.Va. Senate aims raise the speed limit on the interstate and four-lane highways."
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on January 11, 2018, 04:15:02 PM
This might be going a bit high. 65 MPH-70 MPH is fine for four-lanes and corridor routes, and 70 MPH is fine for interstates. I can see 75 MPH on certain segments, like I-64 east of Beckley, but for I-64 near Huntington? No. The bill would also not allow for 80 MPH speeds in cities, so you can scratch higher speeds inside Huntington, Charleston, Martinsburg, et. al.

http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Proposed-bill-would-raise--468637773.html

"A bill introduced in the W.Va. Senate aims raise the speed limit on the interstate and four-lane highways."

Traffic already moves around 80 mph between about Barboursville and St. Albans. It's not uncommon for me to look at the speedometer somewhere between Mall Road and Milton and see I'm going 85 mph, and still getting passed right and left.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: TheOneKEA on January 14, 2018, 09:21:15 AM
I-81’s twin bridges are currently being rebuilt/rehabbed by MDOT SHA. Will WVDOT be making any changes to I-81 between US 11 and the Potomac after this project is completed?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on January 14, 2018, 12:02:41 PM
^ Yes.  Besides being a full bridge replacement project, it will widen 81 to 6 lanes from MD 63/68 down to the existing 6-lane section in West Virginia at Exit 23.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Revive 755 on January 14, 2018, 12:27:19 PM
http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Proposed-bill-would-raise--468637773.html

"A bill introduced in the W.Va. Senate aims raise the speed limit on the interstate and four-lane highways."

IMHO the bill needs to be rewritten since it does not allow an 80 mph zone that would "pass through the city limits of municipalities."  Granted I am not familiar with how local governments operate in West Virginia, but elsewhere they have a habit of annexing along the highway even if there are no interchanges.  The restriction would lead to speed limits not matching what the road could handle, and possibly new speed trap opportunities.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on January 15, 2018, 03:16:26 PM
SB 96, the 80mph bill, isn't going anywhere. It was introduced last year as SB 627 and never left committee.

Much of WV's Interstate and Corridor network was built with a 65mph design speed. WVDOH has to get design exceptions from FHWA on projects now to keep the 70mph speed limit, as justified by low accident rates. I can't see FHWA granting design exceptions with an 80mph speed limit.

FWIW, the Commissioner of Highways has the ability to set speed limits now with no maximum limit in state code.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on January 16, 2018, 01:28:16 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped
FWIW, the Commissioner of Highways has the ability to set speed limits now with no maximum limit in state code.

But I imagine would be highly unlikely to approve an 80 MPH speed limit on a roadway with a 65 MPH design speed...
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on January 16, 2018, 02:31:27 PM
But I imagine would be highly unlikely to approve an 80 MPH speed limit on a roadway with a 65 MPH design speed...

Agreed.  It might also be engineering malpractice to post a limit that much above the design speed (I also have to wonder if a licensed professional engineer would want to stamp something like that - if an engineer's stamp is required).

I am personally fine with posting a limit up to (but not above) the design speed (but I am not a P.E.).

Beyond all of that, there's a fair amount of out-of-state traffic on many West Virginia Interstate highways, and at least some of those out-of-state drivers are not familiar with the twists and turns of Mountaineer State freeways, which  might increase crash risks.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tckma on January 16, 2018, 02:55:44 PM
I-81’s twin bridges are currently being rebuilt/rehabbed by MDOT SHA. Will WVDOT be making any changes to I-81 between US 11 and the Potomac after this project is completed?

I happened to drive on that part of I-81 rather early this morning doing property and business inspections for my second job.  There is active construction work (read: I saw workers wearing hard hats and reflective vests walking and chatting) present on both the Maryland and West Virginia sides of the Potomac leading up to the new metal girders that Maryland SHA, excuse me, Maryland MDOT SHA, have put up for a replacement bridge.  The new construction seems to go WAY too far into WV for it to be all led by Maryland MDOT SHA.  I can't remember if the new pavement went past the US-11 exit.  Construction certainly stops before the WV-901 exit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 16, 2018, 04:52:47 PM
I can't remember if the new pavement went past the US-11 exit.  Construction certainly stops before the WV-901 exit.

No, I-81 is already 6 lanes south of there from US 11 (Exit 23) to WV 45 (Exit 12).  The new construction there will extend that 6-lane section into Maryland.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on January 16, 2018, 11:12:55 PM
I-81’s twin bridges are currently being rebuilt/rehabbed by MDOT SHA. Will WVDOT be making any changes to I-81 between US 11 and the Potomac after this project is completed?

I happened to drive on that part of I-81 rather early this morning doing property and business inspections for my second job.  There is active construction work (read: I saw workers wearing hard hats and reflective vests walking and chatting) present on both the Maryland and West Virginia sides of the Potomac leading up to the new metal girders that Maryland SHA, excuse me, Maryland MDOT SHA, have put up for a replacement bridge.  The new construction seems to go WAY too far into WV for it to be all led by Maryland MDOT SHA.  I can't remember if the new pavement went past the US-11 exit.  Construction certainly stops before the WV-901 exit.

MDSHA is handling the entire project, including the WV sections up to the current end of the 6-lane segment at US 11. WVDOH is reimbursing Maryland for its expenses in West Virginia.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on January 17, 2018, 10:37:12 AM

Beyond all of that, there's a fair amount of out-of-state traffic on many West Virginia Interstate highways, and at least some of those out-of-state drivers are not familiar with the twists and turns of Mountaineer State freeways, which  might increase crash risks.

Mountain State.  Anyway, leaving aside the design malpractice that is the northern third of the WV Turnpike, the same sorts of thing was said when the SL went from 55 to 65 and then from 65 to 70.  And the sayers were dead wrong.  They are again.  Average speeds on the rural parts of WV's lightly traveled interstates could easily be 80 or more, and an increase in the SL (and a removal of traffic lights) on the ARC system is needed even more so.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on January 18, 2018, 11:35:22 AM
Average speeds on the rural parts of WV's lightly traveled interstates could easily be 80 or more, and an increase in the SL (and a removal of traffic lights) on the ARC system is needed even more so.

Would love to see the signals on Corridor H at WV-92 (just west of Elkins) and at U.S. 250 (where it leaves Corridor H to head north toward Philippi) removed.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tckma on January 27, 2018, 07:44:17 PM
I was driving in WV this morning (on WV 45 from the MD state line toward Martinsburg), and I saw some new route shields I'd never seen before -- they were like your weird fractional county routes, but in a "home plate" shaped shield.

I can't find an example in GMSV, but the imagery along WV45 is several years old.

What is this?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on January 27, 2018, 09:05:41 PM
I was driving in WV this morning (on WV 45 from the MD state line toward Martinsburg), and I saw some new route shields I'd never seen before -- they were like your weird fractional county routes, but in a "home plate" shaped shield.

I can't find an example in GMSV, but the imagery along WV45 is several years old.

What is this?
"Driveway routes" - they're so small they're not even secondary or tertiary (triangle - yes there are more shapes) routes. Basically they feed a few homes and that's it. The most basic possible maintenance, but still state maintained.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on January 27, 2018, 10:45:20 PM
Yes, they're called HARP routes -- Home Access Road Program. SP Cook can give a better definition of their history, but basically they are roads that serve two or more homes that otherwise may not have been in the public maintenance fold. Now they are.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on January 28, 2018, 10:31:30 AM
HARP.  Home Access Road Program.  Political program of late Gov. Underwood (97-01).  WV has a long history of "orphan roads" which are just roads that developed to serve housing and commerce, built by the community, or the coal companies, or whatever.  Had been a serious political issue for a long time.  This was Underwood's answer. 

Program was abused to some degree.  Pretty much the state would give you a sign and a promise to perfom "as is maintance" if the neighbors would all sign a petition.  Lots of "roads" that were really just driveways, and lots of much more modern suburban tract housing streets were taken in.  State make no legal claim to real estate ownership. 

Next governor cancelled the program on day one. 

The symbol is supposed to by a house, think the little houses in Monopoly.  The proper way to index such a road is "County HARP #".  Numbering system is seperate from the regular County numbers.  Some counties used the unique to WV "fractional" system, some did not.


Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tckma on January 31, 2018, 10:28:43 PM
Interesting.  So, these were basically political favors to very small neighborhoods, just to give their driveway a route number?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on February 01, 2018, 09:16:08 AM
Interesting.  So, these were basically political favors to very small neighborhoods, just to give their driveway a route number?

Pretty much.  The long answer is that, unique to the coal producing area of Appalachia, mostly WV and eastern KY, there is the issue of so-called "orphan roads".   These are just roads that just developed in rural areas, built by the coal or gas companies, or just built over time by settlers, or whatever. 

Lots of these became "county routes" in the 1960s, following a federal raid on abusive DOH practices, but that still left lots of people living on roads that did not show up on the map, so to speak.  No legal way to maintain, as the DOT cannot spend money off the system.  Leads to lots of issues (safety, who can drive there, school buses, ambulance/911, lots of things).  Issue for many years.  Underwood's idea was this HARP thing.  The intention was good.  He was talking about legitimate roads in rural areas that served a community. 

Problem was it got abused in two ways.  Lots of people, literally, got their driveway in the sytem (often named for themselves, BTW, I could have lived on Cook Road) and, in the more normal part of the state, lots of suburban tract housing became HARP roads.  This was really just a sign, so NBD.  But the main abuse, and it continues to this day, is now all of these HARP roads are in the state system and while the long ago promise was "as is maintainance", that is undefined, and if you know the right pol, you can get your driveway or your entire suburban tract housing development, paved.

Which, of course, takes money away from actual through highways.

Title: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 09, 2018, 10:14:06 AM
Proposed route: Map (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=38.45987,-82.31330&z=15&t=H), between OH 7 at Fairland East Elementary School and WV 193.

Lawrence County, Barboursville connector bridge study to happen (http://www.irontontribune.com/2018/03/09/lawrence-county-barboursville-connector-bridge-study-to-happen/)

A feasibility study for a bridge connecting State Route 7 in Rome Township to the Merrit’s Creek connector and West Virginia State Route 2 will officially take place.

At Tuesday’s commission meeting, which took place at the Tri-State STEM+M School, the commission agreed to join with Cabell County, West Virginia, the city of Barboursville, West Virginia and KYOVA Regional Interstate Planning Commission in funding the study, which is proposed to cost $250,000, county auditor Jason Stephens said.

“This is something that we’ve talked about for years and years and years,”  Stephens said. “The two roads directly line up with each other across the Ohio River, and this could ultimately lead to an outer belt.”
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on March 09, 2018, 11:13:25 AM
This idea has been around for a long time.  If you combine such a bridge with completion of the long delayed OH 7 from the 5th St. Bridge to the 31st St. Bridge, you have something of a poor man's beltway comprised of WV 193 - OH 7 - US 52 - and I-64 for Huntington, or by yet more extension, this plus  52 and a completed Industrial Parkway in KY for the whole Tri-State region. 

Current politics in both OH and WV say that such a bridge is a longshot.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on March 09, 2018, 12:30:33 PM
Saw this earlier in the week. I noticed several years ago that the end of the reconstructed OH 7 lines up perfectly with the end of WV 193, and thought that this would be a great location for a bridge.

Before WV 193 was built, if I was traveling south on WV 2, instead of going on into Huntington to make a connection with I-64, I crossed the new eastern bridge, and used OH 7 and US 52 to connect with I-64. It was easier than dealing with all the traffic lights on WV 2 and US 60, or going on through downtown and using WV 10 to reach the interstate.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Buck87 on March 09, 2018, 09:40:26 PM
If they ever do this it'll be interesting to see how it gets routed and what would get eminent domained. Looks like there's a WV airfield and an OH elementary school that are pretty much in the way for a straight on shot.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: mgk920 on March 10, 2018, 12:39:03 AM
If they ever do this it'll be interesting to see how it gets routed and what would get eminent domained. Looks like there's a WV airfield and an OH elementary school that are pretty much in the way for a straight on shot.

Eyeballing Google aerial and streetview images of that area, it looks to me like the grade school in Ohio is far enough south so as to not be in the way.  OTOH, in West Virginia, that little private airstrip would go bye-bye and a new site would have to be found for that small industrial plant across WV 2 from the end of WV 193.

Speaking of that area, what is the current prognosis for that uncompleted gap in OH 7 across the river from Huntington, WV?

Mike
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Buck87 on March 10, 2018, 08:59:42 AM

Speaking of that area, what is the current prognosis for that uncompleted gap in OH 7 across the river from Huntington, WV?

It's known as the Chesapeake Bypass Phase 2, and while it does appear on Ohio's TRAC Major New Construction Program List, it is listed under Tier 3 and does not have any funding currently committed to it.   
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 27, 2018, 01:07:00 PM
Major construction project to begin on I-64 in mid-April (http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Major-construction-project-to-begin-on-I-64-in-mid-April-477997483.html)

It looks like the I-64 reconstruction project between Milton and Teays Valley will consist of 9" of asphalt overlay over rubblized concrete. Also interesting to see this split into two phases - one between Milton and Hurricane, and the other from Hurricane to Teays Valley. These are the oldest sections of interstate in the state, dating to 1958.

--

First public meeting held on I-64 reconstruction (http://wchsnetwork.com/first-public-meeting-held-on-i-64-reconstruction/)

"Crews will begin April 8 on the $47 million project affecting the stretch of the interstate between exit 28 to Milton and around where the interstate goes over Rocky Step Road. Work will include removing the existing asphalt, the rubblization of the underlying layer of concrete and putting down a new layer of asphalt."
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on March 28, 2018, 02:33:23 PM
Ugh. I foresee any trips to the northeast (possible attendance at the Shamokin Dam and Salamanca meets) using WV 2 to US 50 instead of getting caught in that mess.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on March 28, 2018, 09:12:11 PM
WVDOH let a bunch of Interstate reconstruction projects that should be starting this spring. Several sections of I-79 and parts of I-64 and I-77 are being done as well. I wish they'd use concrete instead of asphalt for reconstruction. I also wish DOH would learn how to properly manage work zone traffic. Expect long delays.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: VTGoose on March 29, 2018, 09:11:39 AM
WVDOH let a bunch of Interstate reconstruction projects that should be starting this spring. . . I wish they'd use concrete instead of asphalt for reconstruction.

Does any other state follow the odd practice of West Virginia when repairing concrete sections of the interstate? Most repairs of bad concrete involve paving over the whole section or taking out and replacing the whole section with new concrete. WVDOH instead just jackhammers out around the bad patch and pours in new concrete, doing so along a stretch of highway. Does that really save time and money?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on March 29, 2018, 10:15:15 AM
WVDOH let a bunch of Interstate reconstruction projects that should be starting this spring. . . I wish they'd use concrete instead of asphalt for reconstruction.

Does any other state follow the odd practice of West Virginia when repairing concrete sections of the interstate? Most repairs of bad concrete involve paving over the whole section or taking out and replacing the whole section with new concrete. WVDOH instead just jackhammers out around the bad patch and pours in new concrete, doing so along a stretch of highway. Does that really save time and money?

I've seen this practice in use in several states that still have concrete pavement. Kentucky recently did this along the concrete-since-it-was-built-in-1971 section of I-64 between Frankfort and Midway.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: mgk920 on March 29, 2018, 10:23:59 AM
WVDOH let a bunch of Interstate reconstruction projects that should be starting this spring. . . I wish they'd use concrete instead of asphalt for reconstruction.

Does any other state follow the odd practice of West Virginia when repairing concrete sections of the interstate? Most repairs of bad concrete involve paving over the whole section or taking out and replacing the whole section with new concrete. WVDOH instead just jackhammers out around the bad patch and pours in new concrete, doing so along a stretch of highway. Does that really save time and money?

I've seen this practice in use in several states that still have concrete pavement. Kentucky recently did this along the concrete-since-it-was-built-in-1971 section of I-64 between Frankfort and Midway.

That is S.O.P. for WisDOT when concrete pavement needs attention but does not warrant complete repaving nor an asphalt overlay.  Cut/break out the bad squares or semi-squares and pour in new concrete, with all of its edges being dowel-barred.  The six-lane part of I-41 in the Appleton-Neenah area has had this done several times since it was first built in the early 1990s and it still looks and rides great.

Very economical and it only means a few short weeks of overnight work when it's being done.

Mike
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 29, 2018, 11:36:51 AM
The circa 1971 segment between Frankfort and Midway was originally patched and diamond grinded around 2000, too. The state has gotten a LOT of mileage out of this pavement, and with the most recent restoration project, did segment replacements around the bridges that were in poor condition.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 29, 2018, 11:43:09 AM
I've noticed that WVDOH has also been repairing their existing concrete pavements more so now than any other time. It seemed that when the pavement just hit some magical age marker, it would be repaved and not repaired - such as I-64 east of Sam Black Church. Compare that to I-64 west of Sam Black Church to Beckley, and older sections of Corridor H, which were repaired and diamond grinded.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Life in Paradise on March 29, 2018, 01:26:40 PM
Indiana also repairs concrete  by cutting out bad sections and then replaces the bed, rebar and connects it to the rest of the road with new concrete.  If the road is quite old, they may do this in sections and then pave over.  I've noticed lately that they have had (on the old I-164 section that was constructed in the mid 80s) several repaired areas that started sinking or cracking immediately, which tells me that someone didn't do their work correctly.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on March 29, 2018, 05:54:46 PM
I've noticed that WVDOH has also been repairing their existing concrete pavements more so now than any other time. It seemed that when the pavement just hit some magical age marker, it would be repaved and not repaired - such as I-64 east of Sam Black Church. Compare that to I-64 west of Sam Black Church to Beckley, and older sections of Corridor H, which were repaired and diamond grinded.
There have actually been some projects where WVDOH has removed asphalt overlays and gone back to the underlying concrete. With the widespread use of diamond grinding, it's become a lot easier to repair concrete and still keep good ride quality than before.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 29, 2018, 07:49:43 PM
I'm trying to think where that has happened at.

I know along Corridor H/US 48 and US 250, an asphalt overlay at that junction (https://goo.gl/maps/pcJK1AfusQS2) was removed, with the concrete repaired and diamond grinded. I'm not sure why it was asphalted, considering how new the pavement was at that time.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on March 30, 2018, 05:56:07 PM
I'm trying to think where that has happened at.

I know along Corridor H/US 48 and US 250, an asphalt overlay at that junction (https://goo.gl/maps/pcJK1AfusQS2) was removed, with the concrete repaired and diamond grinded. I'm not sure why it was asphalted, considering how new the pavement was at that time.

It's happened on some of Corridor G around Boone and Lincoln Counties. Also, a couple spots of Corridor H near where you mentioned.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on March 30, 2018, 09:44:18 PM
I'm trying to think where that has happened at.

I know along Corridor H/US 48 and US 250, an asphalt overlay at that junction (https://goo.gl/maps/pcJK1AfusQS2) was removed, with the concrete repaired and diamond grinded. I'm not sure why it was asphalted, considering how new the pavement was at that time.

It's happened on some of Corridor G around Boone and Lincoln Counties. Also, a couple spots of Corridor H near where you mentioned.

I remember when it was done on Corridor H, because I drove through there during one of the lane closures. Oddly enough, I've been on Corridor H many more times than I have G, even though G runs into Kentucky. It's out of my way to take G to Charleston.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 05, 2018, 01:54:59 PM
The Turnpike board met this morning to outline the WV Turnpike toll hikes ostensibly to pay part of Gov. Justice's "roads to prosperty" borrowing program.  Legally public hearings have to be held, but, of course, nothing said there is considered.  Final approval will be in June, apparently to go into effect in January.  The news story I got had some gaps in it.

Standard car cash tolls will double from $2 to $4 per booth and from .40 to .80 for the US 19/Corridor L connector (this is the only ramp that is tolled, unlike most other toll roads the turnpike ended "side tolls" decades ago at legislative direction).  This means a round trip for the whole road will $24 and those using the Corridor L to I-77 system (the direct way from Toronto, Buffalo, Pittsburgh to Florida) round trip would be $9.60. 

It is not clear from the article if other rates are also doubling, but I assume they are.  Currently an RV is $2.50 booth and .80 for the ramp, and 18 wheeler is $6.75 and $1.60.

This is very much a "soak the strangers" program, as two discounts will be offered.  The current discount for using a WV EZ pass transponder (other authorities' ones do not get it) cuts the current tolls to 1.30/booth and .26 for the ramp.  The article is not clear but these appear to double to 2.60 and . 52. 

But here is the big discount.  Prior to January 1, 2019 anyone (even non-residents) can buy a EZ Pass based yearly pass for special discount price $24 for three years, after which it will be $25/year.  You have the option of depositing additional funds on the account to make it be a standard EZ Pass out of state. 

At $24 for three years, and even thereafter for the standard $25/year, anyone who even passes through the state once or twice a year would be crazy to not get a pass.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: vdeane on April 05, 2018, 02:20:14 PM
Yeesh.  That's a per-mile rate on par with the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  "Soak the strangers" policies should be illegal nationwide.

This is a good reason why tolls should themselves be illegal except for major bridges and tunnels (I'd put in a minimum length requirement of a half of a mile).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 05, 2018, 02:42:33 PM
That's so confusing. I'd be happy if there was just an equal toll for everyone with a discount for frequent users that would refund a percentage of the collected tolls to a particular user. (e.g. Driver A is a frequent user of the Turnpike and at the end of the first quarter, gets a refund that's direct deposited.)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 16, 2018, 02:06:06 PM
Crossed West Virginia plenty over the last week on holiday:

* The I-64 rebuilding project is ongoing and causing major delays. I came through at a time when it wasn't backed up and free flowing - averaging 45-50 MPH, but 30+ minute delays is not uncommon now. And US 60 and other parallel roads are jam packed at rush.

* Driving on I-77/I-79 for some reason is a little anxiety inducing, even without traffic. I recall a lot of bumps on both routes and it just made the ride uncomfortable in an SUV. Am I alone in having this experience (in general)?

* It doesn't seem that WVDOH has improved the major hydroplaning issues along I-64 west of MM 15 to MM 10. This has become a high accident scene after it was widened.

* Major lighting project along I-64 (and elsewhere?) in Charleston, replacing the center median fixtures with high mast LED poles along both sides. While I think this will improve the lighting along the highway, I am afraid of the spill over effects. At least from what I saw along I-70 near Wheeling, new high mast LED poles were put in with lights were located all around the pole, lighting not only the highway but the surrounding neighborhoods. (In general, why do we have a need to light up so much space?)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: TheOneKEA on May 04, 2018, 07:19:53 PM
I-81’s twin bridges are currently being rebuilt/rehabbed by MDOT SHA. Will WVDOT be making any changes to I-81 between US 11 and the Potomac after this project is completed?

I happened to drive on that part of I-81 rather early this morning doing property and business inspections for my second job.  There is active construction work (read: I saw workers wearing hard hats and reflective vests walking and chatting) present on both the Maryland and West Virginia sides of the Potomac leading up to the new metal girders that Maryland SHA, excuse me, Maryland MDOT SHA, have put up for a replacement bridge.  The new construction seems to go WAY too far into WV for it to be all led by Maryland MDOT SHA.  I can't remember if the new pavement went past the US-11 exit.  Construction certainly stops before the WV-901 exit.

MDSHA is handling the entire project, including the WV sections up to the current end of the 6-lane segment at US 11. WVDOH is reimbursing Maryland for its expenses in West Virginia.

I checked the Web page (http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/ProjectInformation.aspx?projectno=WA3445221) for this project and observed this photo (http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/WA344_52/htdocs/Photos/Placement%20of%20concrete%20for%20new%20median%20barrier%20along%20I81%20in%20West%20Virginia.jpg) of the median barrier work in West Virginia on I-81. This made me wonder about the partnership between MDOT SHA and WVDOT - did the latter contribute any design work for the widening of I-81, to match the design and character of the existing widening work? Or was it designed solely by the SHA, on WVDOT’s dime, and the latter only provided oversight?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on May 04, 2018, 09:33:33 PM
I-81’s twin bridges are currently being rebuilt/rehabbed by MDOT SHA. Will WVDOT be making any changes to I-81 between US 11 and the Potomac after this project is completed?

I happened to drive on that part of I-81 rather early this morning doing property and business inspections for my second job.  There is active construction work (read: I saw workers wearing hard hats and reflective vests walking and chatting) present on both the Maryland and West Virginia sides of the Potomac leading up to the new metal girders that Maryland SHA, excuse me, Maryland MDOT SHA, have put up for a replacement bridge.  The new construction seems to go WAY too far into WV for it to be all led by Maryland MDOT SHA.  I can't remember if the new pavement went past the US-11 exit.  Construction certainly stops before the WV-901 exit.

MDSHA is handling the entire project, including the WV sections up to the current end of the 6-lane segment at US 11. WVDOH is reimbursing Maryland for its expenses in West Virginia.

I checked the Web page (http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/ProjectInformation.aspx?projectno=WA3445221) for this project and observed this photo (http://apps.roads.maryland.gov/WebProjectLifeCycle/WA344_52/htdocs/Photos/Placement%20of%20concrete%20for%20new%20median%20barrier%20along%20I81%20in%20West%20Virginia.jpg) of the median barrier work in West Virginia on I-81. This made me wonder about the partnership between MDOT SHA and WVDOT - did the latter contribute any design work for the widening of I-81, to match the design and character of the existing widening work? Or was it designed solely by the SHA, on WVDOT’s dime, and the latter only provided oversight?

WVDOH is pretty short-staffed on engineers. Even if WV was managing this project, the design for something of this scope would have been contracted out.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Beltway on June 07, 2018, 09:35:58 PM
BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) – Tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike will double starting next year.

News outlets report the West Virginia Parkways Authority voted Thursday to increase rates at three toll booths from $2 to $4 for passenger cars starting Jan. 1.

It's the first toll increase since 2009, when it went from $1.25 to $2.

Drivers who frequently use the Turnpike can choose to purchase an EZ pass, which will cost $24 for unlimited use for three years.  Those not already in the program would also pay a $13 one-time fee for a transponder.

http://www.bdtonline.com/news/west-virginia-turnpike-tolls-doubling-next-year-to/article_0a271dc4-6a9d-11e8-ae63-8bfc87c07e92.html
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on June 08, 2018, 09:29:58 AM
It's times like this that I wish we had a standardized transponder system in the US - or have the clear distinction of interoperability, and have a clear, uniform pricing model. West Virginia is one of the few entities that offer such a steep discount that only works if you use the West Virginia EZ-Pass 3x a month and 3x a year.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: 1 on June 08, 2018, 10:32:10 AM
3x a month and 3x a year.

I assume this is a typo. What are the actual numbers?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on June 08, 2018, 12:04:00 PM
https://transportation.wv.gov/Turnpike/EZPass/Information/Documents/Personal%20Discount%20Plans.pdf

I had loosely based it on that.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 09, 2019, 07:59:48 AM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/

"The speed limit on selected interstate highways in West Virginia could be raised under a measure before the Legislature.

However, this isn’t likely to speed things up on Interstate 70 in Ohio County, said Sen. Charles Clements, chairman of Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

House Concurrent Resolution 32 would give secretary of the State Department of Transportation raise highway speed limits, “where appropriate,”  to 75 mph on interstate highways in West Virginia.

“This is only permissive, not mandatory”  said Clements, R-Wetzel. “It does not require it to be done. (The secretary) is authorized to look into it.”

He doesn’t foresee a decision coming to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on I-70.

“I doubt it. It’s pretty congested,”  Clements said. “They want it down to 60-65 mph coming down Two-Mile Hill. I don’t think so.”

HCR 32 passed the Senate Monday containing an amendment made in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Members eliminated a provision that also would have given the secretary of the State Department of Transportation authority to raise speed limits on the Appalachian Corridor highways to 70 mph.

“It was removed because there are crossings there that are pretty dangerous,”  Clements said. “It’s like that in a lot of places.”

The House accepted changes to the legislation Wednesday evening, and HCR 32 is now on to Gov. Jim Justice for signature."
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on March 09, 2019, 11:33:31 AM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/
That's nice, but there are very few places in that state with enough sight distance to get to 75 from 70. I don't see a need for this.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 09, 2019, 12:17:42 PM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/
That's nice, but there are very few places in that state with enough sight distance to get to 75 from 70. I don't see a need for this.
Apparently divided-highways with limited-access, but still at-grade intersections were authorized as high as 70 MPH, though this legislation would shoot that back to 65 MPH. Granted, none actually made 70 MPH, but rather 65 MPH, so this legislation wouldn't impact any existing divided highways, as none are 70 MPH.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 09, 2019, 04:02:21 PM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/
That's nice, but there are very few places in that state with enough sight distance to get to 75 from 70. I don't see a need for this.

You'd be surprised how fast traffic moves on I-64 between the US 60 exit (29th Street) and the first Kanawha River bridge. I'm a veteran of driving that highway, and it's not uncommon to have 80 mph be the prevailing speed.

In most places along I-79, and I-77 north of Charleston, I don't feel comfortable driving above 70 due to the curves. I think the turnpike south of Beckley could handle 75, along with most of I-64 east of Beckley.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on March 09, 2019, 05:30:15 PM
This is a resolution asking the Secretary of Transportation (who doubles as the Commissioner of Highways) to reevaluate speed limits. It doesn't make any change to what the Commissioner can do with speed limits. WV does not have any statutory limits on what the Commissioner can set. He can set 75mph speed limits now.

Most of WV's Interstate system was built with a design speed of 65. It's already posted above design speed at 70. I doubt you'll see speed limits increased further because of that reason. Even if the state was inclined to sign a higher limit, I have to think FHWA would start asking a lot of questions.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: vdeane on March 09, 2019, 09:46:18 PM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/
That's nice, but there are very few places in that state with enough sight distance to get to 75 from 70. I don't see a need for this.
On my way to/from the New River Gorge meet, I drove a uniform 75 in all the 70 zones (well, except for the time I was driving in a heavy rain, but that was due to the weather, not the road) and it felt very comfortable.  Should a speed limit be a LIMIT rather than "here's a number, we know you'll drive 5-20 mph faster, that's fine"?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on March 11, 2019, 08:24:08 PM
http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2019/03/bill-in-the-west-virginia-legislature-would-allow-west-virginia-department-of-transportation-to-increase-speed-limits-to-75-mph-changes-on-interstate-70-unlikely/
That's nice, but there are very few places in that state with enough sight distance to get to 75 from 70. I don't see a need for this.
On my way to/from the New River Gorge meet, I drove a uniform 75 in all the 70 zones (well, except for the time I was driving in a heavy rain, but that was due to the weather, not the road) and it felt very comfortable.  Should a speed limit be a LIMIT rather than "here's a number, we know you'll drive 5-20 mph faster, that's fine"?

Traffic pretty commonly flows at 75mph on the Interstates and 70mph on at least portions of the Corridors now.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on March 12, 2019, 09:02:59 AM
http://wvmetronews.com/2019/03/11/problems-with-west-virginias-roads-go-beyond-fired-highways-chief/

DOT Secretary fired.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on April 21, 2019, 01:01:22 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on April 21, 2019, 08:56:42 PM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

Ridiculous. Looks like the "OMG WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" crowd strikes again. What that story doesn't say was how those Turnpike employees got killed. Were they speeding? I know my agency has strict rules about driving the speed limit in state vehicles and they have GPS units that send a warning to management if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount.

Nothing wrong with 70 mph on that section of road, as the hill and the curves are well-signed. Perhaps a split truck speed limit, like on Sandstone Mountain on I-64, would be beneficial.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on April 21, 2019, 10:05:31 PM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

Ridiculous. Looks like the "OMG WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" crowd strikes again. What that story doesn't say was how those Turnpike employees got killed. Were they speeding? I know my agency has strict rules about driving the speed limit in state vehicles and they have GPS units that send a warning to management if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount.

Nothing wrong with 70 mph on that section of road, as the hill and the curves are well-signed. Perhaps a split truck speed limit, like on Sandstone Mountain on I-64, would be beneficial.
It doesn't matter, people will still fly by doing 80+ MPH. Nothing stops them from doing that in urban areas with naturally lower speed limits. Here in Hampton Roads, the highway I'm off of (VA-of is posted 55 MPH, yet during the summer when tourists from the north are heading to the Outer Banks, you get ran off the road if you aren't doing at least 75 or 80 MPH. During the rest of the year, it's closer to 60 to 70 MPH. Chesapeake Police doesn't even patrol the highway that much, so it's pretty much free game.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: LM117 on April 22, 2019, 06:48:51 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

Ridiculous. Looks like the "OMG WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" crowd strikes again. What that story doesn't say was how those Turnpike employees got killed. Were they speeding? I know my agency has strict rules about driving the speed limit in state vehicles and they have GPS units that send a warning to management if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount.

Nothing wrong with 70 mph on that section of road, as the hill and the curves are well-signed. Perhaps a split truck speed limit, like on Sandstone Mountain on I-64, would be beneficial.

Here’s the story on that crash.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html (https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on April 22, 2019, 07:22:44 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

Ridiculous. Looks like the "OMG WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" crowd strikes again. What that story doesn't say was how those Turnpike employees got killed. Were they speeding? I know my agency has strict rules about driving the speed limit in state vehicles and they have GPS units that send a warning to management if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount.

Nothing wrong with 70 mph on that section of road, as the hill and the curves are well-signed. Perhaps a split truck speed limit, like on Sandstone Mountain on I-64, would be beneficial.

Here’s the story on that crash.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html (https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html)
I'll agree, the speed limit is a bit high, but you don't need to restrict everybody to 60 MPH. 65 MPH for cars / 55 MPH for trucks. Simple.

Interestingly enough, in this crash, the truck driver was charged with following to closely, reckless driving, and failure to maintain. When you're going down a mountain with a 5% grade that has curves, and you're driving a large truck, 70 MPH is too excessive, too unpredictable. The truck driver should've known this, and it's one idiot's stupidity that punishes everyone.

Location of the wreck (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.5305089,-81.110762,3a,75y,173.12h,71.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJNDbGB6FXJSNuij6AJH6UQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656), heading southbound on I-77 just before the US-19 overpass.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Verlanka on April 22, 2019, 09:02:07 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

Ridiculous. Looks like the "OMG WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" crowd strikes again. What that story doesn't say was how those Turnpike employees got killed. Were they speeding? I know my agency has strict rules about driving the speed limit in state vehicles and they have GPS units that send a warning to management if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount.

Nothing wrong with 70 mph on that section of road, as the hill and the curves are well-signed. Perhaps a split truck speed limit, like on Sandstone Mountain on I-64, would be beneficial.

Here’s the story on that crash.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html (https://www.bdtonline.com/news/i--crash-victims-identified/article_be1aab5c-a283-11e8-9667-0b6d8c6a9ff3.html)
I'll agree, the speed limit is a bit high, but you don't need to restrict everybody to 60 MPH. 65 MPH for cars / 55 MPH for trucks. Simple.

Maybe it should be 65 for cars and 50 for trucks.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on April 22, 2019, 09:14:44 AM
It is just a power grab.  Understand how the Turnpike works.  In the rest of the state, the WVSP does the full set of police work, including random taxing.  However, the Turnpike has its own separate "F Troop" of failed cops.  Wife beaters, liars, hotheads, etc.  The lawyers all know the dirt on these guys, so they are assigned to the Turnpike, where they will almost never have to appear in court, as random tax "work" is all they do. 

The WVSP is paid toll money for this "service".  Not just the pay for the cops involved, but the cars, equipment, etc. all belong to the Turnpike.  And they pay a "pro rata" share of the HQ expenses. 

Obviously, as the Turnpike can be safely driven at speeds well above even the underposted 70, the Turnpike has to set grossly over low SLs to justify the continuation of this program.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on April 22, 2019, 01:38:49 PM

Location of the wreck (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.5305089,-81.110762,3a,75y,173.12h,71.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJNDbGB6FXJSNuij6AJH6UQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656), heading southbound on I-77 just before the US-19 overpass.

That's not even the worst location on that mountain. There's a pretty sharp left-hand curve just before you get to the US 19 Camp Creek exit, which is where I would have expected issues.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: VTGoose on April 22, 2019, 04:10:31 PM

Interestingly enough, in this crash, the truck driver was charged with following to closely, reckless driving, and failure to maintain. When you're going down a mountain with a 5% grade that has curves, and you're driving a large truck, 70 MPH is too excessive, too unpredictable. The truck driver should've known this, and it's one idiot's stupidity that punishes everyone.

Location of the wreck (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.5305089,-81.110762,3a,75y,173.12h,71.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJNDbGB6FXJSNuij6AJH6UQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656), heading southbound on I-77 just before the US-19 overpass.

"The truck driver should've known this" -- It takes a special kind of idiot to ignore all the big yellow signs and flashing lights at the top of the grade that warn of the steep grade ahead. Given that there are not a lot of accidents going down that long grade (especially compared to the "wreck a day" that happens on the shorter and less steep downgrade from Christiansburg on I-81 north) the signs must work for most drivers.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 17, 2019, 11:40:49 PM
The WVSP is paid toll money for this "service".  Not just the pay for the cops involved, but the cars, equipment, etc. all belong to the Turnpike.  And they pay a "pro rata" share of the HQ expenses. 

That's consistent with more than a few other states that have long(er) distance toll roads. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on July 25, 2019, 02:35:32 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html

It's either twisty or they just want to have less accidents I guess! I've never been to West Virginia, so I'm guessing those are the reasons.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on July 25, 2019, 09:03:05 AM
Then you would guess wrong.  It all about power and money, like all SL decreases.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 25, 2019, 10:42:57 AM
^ Perhaps in West Virginia, but not all SL decreases elsewhere are because of that.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on July 25, 2019, 05:25:15 PM
Speed limits there are probably decreasing because it's so twisty. It's not flat where you can drive fast. I'm fine with them lowering it from 70 to 60, 60 is fast enough for me.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 25, 2019, 06:30:28 PM
Speed limits there are probably decreasing because it's so twisty. It's not flat where you can drive fast. I'm fine with them lowering it from 70 to 60, 60 is fast enough for me.
It's easily driveable at 70 mph. Lower the truck speed limit. Not the car limit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: famartin on July 25, 2019, 07:03:26 PM
Speed limits there are probably decreasing because it's so twisty. It's not flat where you can drive fast. I'm fine with them lowering it from 70 to 60, 60 is fast enough for me.

Its not especially twisty, but there is a 1,000 foot elevation change in those 7 miles which likely contributes to problems.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 27, 2019, 09:07:13 AM
Speed limits there are probably decreasing because it's so twisty. It's not flat where you can drive fast. I'm fine with them lowering it from 70 to 60, 60 is fast enough for me.
It's easily driveable at 70 mph. Lower the truck speed limit. Not the car limit.

Then you're instituting a split speed limit, which brings a whole different host of safety issues...
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2019, 10:53:22 PM
Speed limits there are probably decreasing because it's so twisty. It's not flat where you can drive fast. I'm fine with them lowering it from 70 to 60, 60 is fast enough for me.
It's easily driveable at 70 mph. Lower the truck speed limit. Not the car limit.

Then you're instituting a split speed limit, which brings a whole different host of safety issues...

So YOU think cars and trucks should both do 60 mph?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 28, 2019, 10:49:14 PM
That's not what I said.  What I said is that you introduce additional safety issues by instituting different speed limits for cars and trucks.  Only a proper speed and engineering study should be used to determine the speed limit on the West Virginia Turnpike.  That said, my own personal empirical evidence is that many of the curves, especially the curvy section south of Chelyan, are tight at 70 MPH even in a passenger vehicle.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 28, 2019, 10:54:49 PM
What I said is that you introduce additional safety issues by instituting different speed limits for cars and trucks.
You should check out the thread regarding the proposed 65 mph truck speed limit. Someone there actually supports it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 28, 2019, 11:00:05 PM
I'm aware the American Truckers Association has been pushing a uniform 65 MPH truck limit heavily.  I also know there are other trucking associations opposed to it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 30, 2019, 08:27:48 AM
I'm aware the American Truckers Association has been pushing a uniform 65 MPH truck limit heavily.  I also know there are other trucking associations opposed to it.

That would be the bane of travel on 70 mph Interstate highways that are common in the eastern part of the country.  Micro passing trucks that can't keep up with 70 mph are already a major hindrance on those highways.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 11:04:28 AM
I'm aware the American Truckers Association has been pushing a uniform 65 MPH truck limit heavily.  I also know there are other trucking associations opposed to it.

That would be the bane of travel on 70 mph Interstate highways that are common in the eastern part of the country.  Micro passing trucks that can't keep up with 70 mph are already a major hindrance on those highways.
It’s even worse as you go out west with 75, 80, and 85 mph speed limits and you have trucks doing 60 - 65 mph passing for miles.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 30, 2019, 11:10:22 AM
Officials: Local I-64 widening part of a larger plan (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/officials-local-i--widening-part-of-a-larger-plan/article_0693afd9-e5e6-5183-a14d-f8deefc6c784.html) | WVDOH Release (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Gov.-Justice-approves-award-of-I-64-widening-project-in-Cabell-County.aspx)

"About 2.5 miles of road from just past the Huntington Mall to the Guyandotte River will be widened from four to eight lanes as part of the $71.7 million project, along with the replacement of five bridges. The project will begin next summer, with an estimated end date in 2022.

Heading west, the project begins about half a mile before the West Mall Road exit, replacing the bridge that crosses over the Mud River. From there, the bridge over East Mall Road, the bridge over Mud River Road, the bridge over Wild Cat Road and the bridge over Big Ben Bowen Highway will all be replaced and widened. The project ends just before the Guyandotte River bridge, just after the Merritt's Creek exit.

In the near future, the Guyandotte River bridge to the 29th Street exit - where the road widens again - will be widened, said Brent Walker, director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Transportation. According to estimates on the DOT's website, this portion would be widened to six lanes."

--

Other interests:
* WV 622 widening near Charleston: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/WV622-NewGoffMtnRoad-BigTylerRoadProject/Documents/handout.pdf
* Aetnaville Bridge demolition in Wheeling: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Aetnaville-Bridge-Demo-Project/Pages/default.aspx

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on July 30, 2019, 12:02:31 PM
Officials: Local I-64 widening part of a larger plan (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/officials-local-i--widening-part-of-a-larger-plan/article_0693afd9-e5e6-5183-a14d-f8deefc6c784.html) | WVDOH Release (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Gov.-Justice-approves-award-of-I-64-widening-project-in-Cabell-County.aspx)

"About 2.5 miles of road from just past the Huntington Mall to the Guyandotte River will be widened from four to eight lanes as part of the $71.7 million project, along with the replacement of five bridges. The project will begin next summer, with an estimated end date in 2022.

Heading west, the project begins about half a mile before the West Mall Road exit, replacing the bridge that crosses over the Mud River. From there, the bridge over East Mall Road, the bridge over Mud River Road, the bridge over Wild Cat Road and the bridge over Big Ben Bowen Highway will all be replaced and widened. The project ends just before the Guyandotte River bridge, just after the Merritt's Creek exit.

In the near future, the Guyandotte River bridge to the 29th Street exit - where the road widens again - will be widened, said Brent Walker, director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Transportation. According to estimates on the DOT's website, this portion would be widened to six lanes.


When all of the mentioned projects are complete, along with the twinning of the Nitro-St. Albans interstate bridge at MM 44-45, 64 will be more than 4 lanes from Exit 11 to Exit 20 and again from Exit 39 through its merge into I-77 at MP 60, and, using 77 MPs for four more miles to Exit 98.  Eventual goal is to fill in the gap between Exits 39 and 20, along with a new exit between the current Milton and Hurricane exits; and then from Exit 6 to Exit 11.

Much needed.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 30, 2019, 01:13:11 PM
That would be the bane of travel on 70 mph Interstate highways that are common in the eastern part of the country.  Micro passing trucks that can't keep up with 70 mph are already a major hindrance on those highways.
It’s even worse as you go out west with 75, 80, and 85 mph speed limits and you have trucks doing 60 - 65 mph passing for miles.

I experienced that on my trip last weekend to NW Indiana, where I-70 and I-65 are very busy rural Interstate highways, with a 70 mph limit for all vehicles.  Sometimes 5 miles or more where the trucks would not get out of the left lane or complete a pass, even though drivers in cars where flashing high beams at them.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 30, 2019, 01:23:34 PM
Looks like the Nitro-St. Albans bridge is out to re-bid, along with the Wheeling bridge rehab project on I-70, too.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 02:17:49 PM
That would be the bane of travel on 70 mph Interstate highways that are common in the eastern part of the country.  Micro passing trucks that can't keep up with 70 mph are already a major hindrance on those highways.
It’s even worse as you go out west with 75, 80, and 85 mph speed limits and you have trucks doing 60 - 65 mph passing for miles.

I experienced that on my trip last weekend to NW Indiana, where I-70 and I-65 are very busy rural Interstate highways, with a 70 mph limit for all vehicles.  Sometimes 5 miles or more where the trucks would not get out of the left lane or complete a pass, even though drivers in cars where flashing high beams at them.
I agree. A more local example, I-64 is a huge problem as well for slow traffic, trucks passing for miles, etc. between Richmond and Williamsburg. Thankfully it's getting smaller and smaller each widening project at a time.

I got stuck behind 2 trucks passing for over 10 miles a few weeks ago, both trucks doing about 64-65 mph in both lanes in a 70 mph zone. Very frustrating, especially when drivers behind the truck get reckless, accelerating quickly, slamming brakes, tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, etc.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 30, 2019, 02:25:57 PM
I experienced that on my trip last weekend to NW Indiana, where I-70 and I-65 are very busy rural Interstate highways, with a 70 mph limit for all vehicles.  Sometimes 5 miles or more where the trucks would not get out of the left lane or complete a pass, even though drivers in cars where flashing high beams at them.
I agree. A more local example, I-64 is a huge problem as well for slow traffic, trucks passing for miles, etc. between Richmond and Williamsburg. Thankfully it's getting smaller and smaller each widening project at a time.
I got stuck behind 2 trucks passing for over 10 miles a few weeks ago, both trucks doing about 64-65 mph in both lanes in a 70 mph zone. Very frustrating, especially when drivers behind the truck get reckless, accelerating quickly, slamming brakes, tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, etc.

Interesting, I hardly ever have that problem on I-64, and I was about to pull my hair out over the trucks on I-70 and I-64 between Dayton and NW Indiana.  Big difference in truck percentages for one thing, much higher on those sections of I-70 and I-65.  I got behind several of those clusters and gave them a continuous halogen high beam until they moved over (BTW daytime and when no other vehicles were affected by the high beams).

That is a misuse of headlights but I had had it by that point.
 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 02:33:04 PM
Interesting, I hardly ever have that problem on I-64, and I was about to pull my hair out over the trucks on I-70 and I-64 between Dayton and NW Indiana.  Big difference in truck percentages for one thing, much higher on those sections of I-70 and I-65.
Must have been just a bad day then. I-64 is a major truck route especially for port-bound traffic (given Port of Virginia is the 3rd largest port on the East Coast and 4 major ports exist in Hampton Roads) but something like I-70 and I-64 would have long-distance truck traffic, and that can be especially heavy on routes like those.

I got behind several of those clusters and gave them a continuous halogen high beam until they moved over (BTW daytime and when no other vehicles were affected by the high beams).

That is a misuse of headlights but I had had it by that point.
To be fair, how much can they really see it? Also, was it a truck simply hogging the left lane, or riding alongside another a truck in the right lane? If it was just hogging the left lane for miles, I would've just said screw it and pass it on the right. I'm not fond of passing on the right, but I will do it if someone is blocking the left lane and the right lane is clear (IF the right lane is clear for a good distance, I'm not one of those drivers who will attempt to pass on the right then get stuck and expect to be let back in)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 30, 2019, 06:32:51 PM
Interesting, I hardly ever have that problem on I-64, and I was about to pull my hair out over the trucks on I-70 and I-64 between Dayton and NW Indiana.  Big difference in truck percentages for one thing, much higher on those sections of I-70 and I-65.
Must have been just a bad day then. I-64 is a major truck route especially for port-bound traffic (given Port of Virginia is the 3rd largest port on the East Coast and 4 major ports exist in Hampton Roads) but something like I-70 and I-64 would have long-distance truck traffic, and that can be especially heavy on routes like those.

Generally true but I-64 has rather light truck traffic compared to some of those Midwestern Interstate highways.  A lot of the port freight moves by railroad.

I got behind several of those clusters and gave them a continuous halogen high beam until they moved over (BTW daytime and when no other vehicles were affected by the high beams).
That is a misuse of headlights but I had had it by that point.
To be fair, how much can they really see it?

I positioned myself so that the light was directly into their mirrors, and I have the brightest high beams that are manufactured.

Also, was it a truck simply hogging the left lane, or riding alongside another a truck in the right lane? If it was just hogging the left lane for miles, I would've just said screw it and pass it on the right. I'm not fond of passing on the right, but I will do it if someone is blocking the left lane and the right lane is clear (IF the right lane is clear for a good distance, I'm not one of those drivers who will attempt to pass on the right then get stuck and expect to be let back in)

Trucks were traveling in both lanes and there was no way to pass between them, they were too close together.  I don't mind passing on the right if that lane is open.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 30, 2019, 10:20:42 PM
Generally true but I-64 has rather light truck traffic compared to some of those Midwestern Interstate highways.  A lot of the port freight moves by railroad.
Actually looking now, I-64 only has 6-8% heavy truck traffic. Never realized it was that low. Was expecting at least 15%.

One example that comes to mind is I-40 west of Memphis. Truck traffic is 58% of the total traffic. That stretch of I-40 is a very busy freight corridor.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 30, 2019, 10:33:18 PM
Generally true but I-64 has rather light truck traffic compared to some of those Midwestern Interstate highways.  A lot of the port freight moves by railroad.
Actually looking now, I-64 only has 6-8% heavy truck traffic. Never realized it was that low. Was expecting at least 15%.
One example that comes to mind is I-40 west of Memphis. Truck traffic is 58% of the total traffic. That stretch of I-40 is a very busy freight corridor.

Those highways I mentioned probably at least 30%. 

One monstrously busy truck route is I-80/94 in NW Indiana, 8 lanes but probably 120,000 AADT total and about 40,000 large trucks.
 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 31, 2019, 08:51:25 AM
^ I think you mean I-80/94 along the Borman.  West of I-65 its AADT ranges from 160K-200K with large trucks ranging from 35K-45K.  Between I-65 and I-90/ITR it's around 100K AADT with 20K large trucks.  (2017 traffic data)

So overall call it a 20-25% truck percentage.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Beltway on July 31, 2019, 09:24:55 AM
I think you mean I-80/94 along the Borman. 
Fixed it...

West of I-65 its AADT ranges from 160K-200K with large trucks ranging from 35K-45K.  Between I-65 and I-90/ITR it's around 100K AADT with 20K large trucks.  (2017 traffic data)
So overall call it a 20-25% truck percentage.
I go to Highland, which is near IN-912 Cline Avenue, and I am aware of the traffic differential at I-65.

I recalled that 40,000 figure from a past article.  Since a large truck is the size it is, that volume provides a very impressive almost continuous steam of trucks especially during daytime.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Beltway on August 06, 2019, 09:17:28 PM
Bid awarded to rehabilitate I-70 bridges in West Virginia
Aug 5, 2019
https://www.bdtonline.com/region/bid-awarded-to-rehabilitate-i--bridges-in-west-virginia/article_41fbd3af-3228-578a-8ef1-3b4be81844a7.html

WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has awarded a nearly $215 million bid to improve bridges on Interstate 70.

News outlets report the selection of the lowest bid for the project was announced Monday in Wheeling.

New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based Swank Construction won the project to rehabilitate or replace more than two dozen bridges between Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation received five bids for the project.

WVDOT Construction Engineer Joe Juszczak says the Fulton Bridges on the east side of the Wheeling Tunnel are in need of full replacement because of rusting steel and eroding concrete. The rest of the bridges will be rehabilitated.

The project is expected to take three years to complete. Preliminary work could begin this fall.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 13, 2019, 09:02:21 AM
So, we now have a newly posted 'BYPASS' route for a US highway in WV.  The East Beckley Bypass now is posted as Bypass US-19.

http://forum.travelmapping.net/index.php?topic=3149

The picture that was posted there shows a NB shield just beyond it's intersection with WV-41.  Only thing I don't know yet is where it's Southern End is located.  Is it @ I-64 (Exit 124), or is it one of the two intersections US-19 has with the bypass (via connecting roads) right before I-64......  If anybody knows, please LMK!
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on August 13, 2019, 10:11:02 AM
It is the southmost of the two intersections between US 19 (which, ironically was originally the "19-21 Bypass" and still called that by people over 60 or so in Beckley) and the Bypass 19.  The remainder south of that is just considered part of the on-ramp to I-64.  However it is not clearly signed.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Mapmikey on August 13, 2019, 12:39:45 PM
The portion south of the connections to US 19 is officially US 19 CONN.

https://gis.transportation.wv.gov/GISCountyMaps/PDF-Hillshade/RaleighSheet%202.pdf
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on August 13, 2019, 03:44:56 PM
So, we now have a newly posted 'BYPASS' route for a US highway in WV.  The East Beckley Bypass now is posted as Bypass US-19.

http://forum.travelmapping.net/index.php?topic=3149

The picture that was posted there shows a NB shield just beyond it's intersection with WV-41.  Only thing I don't know yet is where it's Southern End is located.  Is it @ I-64 (Exit 124), or is it one of the two intersections US-19 has with the bypass (via connecting roads) right before I-64......  If anybody knows, please LMK!

I couldn't see the picture when I clicked on the link.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: vdeane on August 13, 2019, 07:28:57 PM
Looks like it was uploaded as an attachment to a post, requiring one to be signed in to view it.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 13, 2019, 11:09:33 PM
It is the southmost of the two intersections between US 19 (which, ironically was originally the "19-21 Bypass" and still called that by people over 60 or so in Beckley) and the Bypass 19.  The remainder south of that is just considered part of the on-ramp to I-64.  However it is not clearly signed.

So, no shields on the segment between the 2 connector roads?

The portion south of the connections to US 19 is officially US 19 CONN.

https://gis.transportation.wv.gov/GISCountyMaps/PDF-Hillshade/RaleighSheet%202.pdf

I had assumed as much, as I did recall there being a 'listed' CONN route there from when doing the recent overhaul of the WV routes for TM.  Was just curious if something had changed.

Looks like it was uploaded as an attachment to a post, requiring one to be signed in to view it.

Correct.  There's no way other than having an account to see it unless the user that posted it uploads it at another site so it could be linked here.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on August 14, 2019, 09:28:14 AM
https://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HME9P_bethany-turnpike-tunnels_Wellsburg-WV.html

The marker reads: "First highway tunnels constructed west of Alleghenies. They were built in 1831 by Richard Waugh at personal expense to ease transportation to his flour mills. The tunnels, a mile apart, were removed by the State in 1957."

General location between the two tunnels: http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=40.23578,-80.59683&z=15&t=U
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on August 14, 2019, 10:21:36 AM
Here is one I have never heard before. 

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/08/13/wheeling-suspension-bridge-back-open-as-long-term-solutions-being-discussed/

Background is the bridge is ancient and should only be used by cars, who should keep 50 feet distance.  Has been repeatedly damaged by tour buses going to the Wheeling Island Casino and using GPS, the main function of GPS being to get you lost.  Currently WV DOH has put up a hard physical barrier, which is to say, a piece of steel that will take the bus or truck's roof off.  Effective, but ugly for a historic landmark. 

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works, but the idea is probably for hand collection with no electronic options, thus any oversized vehicle that pulls up can simply be denied entry and the 50 foot spacing maintained by the speed of the toll collector.  Tolling as "traffic caliming" ?

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on August 14, 2019, 10:39:35 AM
Here is one I have never heard before. 

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/08/13/wheeling-suspension-bridge-back-open-as-long-term-solutions-being-discussed/

Background is the bridge is ancient and should only be used by cars, who should keep 50 feet distance.  Has been repeatedly damaged by tour buses going to the Wheeling Island Casino and using GPS, the main function of GPS being to get you lost.  Currently WV DOH has put up a hard physical barrier, which is to say, a piece of steel that will take the bus or truck's roof off.  Effective, but ugly for a historic landmark. 

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works, but the idea is probably for hand collection with no electronic options, thus any oversized vehicle that pulls up can simply be denied entry and the 50 foot spacing maintained by the speed of the toll collector.  Tolling as "traffic caliming" ?

The bridge has a 2-ton weight limit, which even a lot of unloaded SUVs and loaded cars will be over. My understanding was that FHWA required a bridge to be closed when it could not support a 3-ton weight limit.

I'd look at adding in-pavement scales tied to traffic signals, but maybe it's time to close the bridge to cars and make it peds/bikes only.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on August 14, 2019, 11:33:33 AM
In one of the Wheeling groups I follow on Facebook, a lot of people were in favor of an outright closure to vehicles because of the continual closure of the bridge for RVs, buses and overweight vehicles. The sidewalks are also very narrow and I don't think meet ADA accessibility standards.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on August 14, 2019, 12:17:38 PM
Saw a WVDOT video on Facebook today about the upcoming widening of I-64 and new bridge over the Kanawha. Supposed to go to bid in October. That will be an expensive project. Wonder if they're doing it as a design-build, or if they have already acquired all the right of way they'll need?

Among the ideas floated is a nominal toll.  Not really for money, but to "keep the bridge off GPS".  I don't know how that works...

Some GPS units have an "Avoid Tolls" function, as do mapping apps for mobile devices. Somehow, my wife's GPS accidentally got switched to that mode on a trip several years ago. She was going to one of the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I had given her my E-ZPass and told her to use I-355, but her GPS was screaming at her not to use that route.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on August 14, 2019, 12:45:38 PM
The last informational meeting for the needed 20 years ago Legg Bridge project claimed construction start in spring 2017.  Still no work done. 

The packet they gave out then, which is still on the DOT's website says they are using the "downstream alternative" meaning the new bridge will carry the westbound lanes and the existing bridge will be repurposed to eastbound only.  AFAIK the land on the St. Albans side is just hillside already owned by the state, although they will have to pass about a railroad, but the railroad has to cooperate in that.  On the Nitro side, the land involved in that would be the old Artel Chemical dumb, which is toxic, which is why nothing was ever built on it.  I would posit that it has a negative economic value. 

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Beltway on August 14, 2019, 03:42:47 PM
Saw a WVDOT video on Facebook today about the upcoming widening of I-64 and new bridge over the Kanawha. Supposed to go to bid in October. That will be an expensive project. Wonder if they're doing it as a design-build, or if they have already acquired all the right of way they'll need?

Is that the one a few miles east of the US-35 interchange?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on August 14, 2019, 04:15:59 PM
Yes. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on September 11, 2019, 07:35:44 AM
New bridge with unique design going up in Lincoln County WV (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/new-bridge-with-unique-design-going-up-in-lincoln-county/article_7e372fc6-1ac5-549c-824f-5a278b506cbe.html)

EAST LYNN, W.Va. - A new bridge under construction in West Virginia is unlike anything the state has seen before.

Greg Michaelson, an assistant professor of engineering at Marshall University, and Karl Barth, the Jack H. Samples Distinguished Professor of Structural Engineering at West Virginia University, have assisted the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance and the West Virginia Division of Highways in developing West Virginia's first press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridge.

The design of the structure is viewed as more economical than other short-bridge designs and takes less time to erect, according to proponents of the design.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 12, 2019, 02:35:40 PM
Any updates on when the missing link to completely four-lane US 35 might be constructed?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 12, 2019, 04:27:36 PM
Any updates on when the missing link to completely four-lane US 35 might be constructed?

Working on it as of July
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on September 13, 2019, 10:39:14 AM
Grading is almost done, bridges are built.  Paving is a separate contract.  Last I heard was they were shooting for opening just before the election, surprise surprise.  However, I heard they were a little behind.

If you are on the current 35, just take any side road that runs away from the river, and you will run into the construction within a mile or so. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on September 20, 2019, 07:56:27 AM
Of the following alternatives, Alternative 3 involves lowering US 119 and creating a tight diamond interchange at Lucado Road. All alternatives also involve adding a flyover ramp from I-64 to US 119 south over Cantley Drive. All of the alternatives eliminate two stoplights.

DOH shares plans to fix U.S. 119 traffic issues in Charleston with public (https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/kanawha_county/doh-shares-plans-to-fix-u-s-traffic-issues-in/article_09778041-efdd-5bc3-9f5a-446f5df27d91.html)

Plans to address traffic congestion and safety issues along U.S. 119/Appalachian Corridor G between MacCorkle Avenue and Emerald Road in Charleston were unveiled to the public on Thursday, during an informational workshop hosted by the state Division of Highways.

[...]

The proposed construction includes a new ramp over Cantley Drive to allow southbound traffic on U.S. 119 entering the highway from Interstate 64 to bypass the stoplight at the intersection of Cantley and U.S. 119.

The plan also calls for a right-turn lane to be added to Cantley Drive, and a new left-turn lane to be added to the I-64 connector ramp at its intersection with U.S. 119 to accommodate traffic turning left on U.S. 119’s northbound lanes.

Additionally, the DOH is considering five construction alternatives to improve traffic flow at U.S. 119’s intersections with Oakwood Road and Lucado Road.

Additional Information (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Oakwood-Road-Improvement-Project/Pages/default.aspx), Alternatives (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Oakwood-Road-Improvement-Project/Documents/handout.pdf)

--

Beaver to South Eisenhower Drive Project (Beckley Z-Way) (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/BeckleyZWayBeaverToSouthEisenhower/Pages/default.aspx)

The FONSI has been added to this project that I was vaguely aware of. The alignment alternative report is located in Appendix B.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: kevinb1994 on September 20, 2019, 08:19:20 AM
Of the following alternatives, Alternative 3 involves lowering US 119 and creating a tight diamond interchange at Lucado Road. All alternatives also involve adding a flyover ramp from I-64 to US 119 south over Cantley Drive. All of the alternatives eliminate two stoplights.

DOH shares plans to fix U.S. 119 traffic issues in Charleston with public (https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/kanawha_county/doh-shares-plans-to-fix-u-s-traffic-issues-in/article_09778041-efdd-5bc3-9f5a-446f5df27d91.html)

Plans to address traffic congestion and safety issues along U.S. 119/Appalachian Corridor G between MacCorkle Avenue and Emerald Road in Charleston were unveiled to the public on Thursday, during an informational workshop hosted by the state Division of Highways.

[...]

The proposed construction includes a new ramp over Cantley Drive to allow southbound traffic on U.S. 119 entering the highway from Interstate 64 to bypass the stoplight at the intersection of Cantley and U.S. 119.

The plan also calls for a right-turn lane to be added to Cantley Drive, and a new left-turn lane to be added to the I-64 connector ramp at its intersection with U.S. 119 to accommodate traffic turning left on U.S. 119’s northbound lanes.

Additionally, the DOH is considering five construction alternatives to improve traffic flow at U.S. 119’s intersections with Oakwood Road and Lucado Road.

Additional Information (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Oakwood-Road-Improvement-Project/Pages/default.aspx), Alternatives (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Oakwood-Road-Improvement-Project/Documents/handout.pdf)

--

Beaver to South Eisenhower Drive Project (Beckley Z-Way) (http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/BeckleyZWayBeaverToSouthEisenhower/Pages/default.aspx)

The FONSI has been added to this project that I was vaguely aware of. The alignment alternative report is located in Appendix B.
Given that I was just there last month, I’d say this would be a much-needed improvement over the current configuration.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on October 27, 2019, 11:41:20 AM
Interesting find:

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on November 06, 2019, 11:41:57 AM
http://wvmetronews.com/2019/11/05/doh-i-64-makeover-set-to-start/

Next phase of 6-lane upgrade to I-64, which will run from Exit 18 to Exit 20.  Oddly this will leave a 4-lane gap between Exits 15 and 18.  My impression is that they were going to work their way from west to east in order.  Eventual plan is a 6-lane from Exit 6 to Charleston. 

Also news of the long delayed Nitro-St. Albans bridge 6-lane upgrade, upon which yet another construction season has been lost.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 20, 2019, 10:24:10 AM
Feedback sought on proposed Ohio River bridge near Merritts Creek (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/feedback-sought-on-proposed-ohio-river-bridge-near-merritts-creek/article_8824f98a-429e-54f7-b9d3-2c883b261bd0.html)

HUNTINGTON – Area residents are being asked for their opinions on the proposed construction of a bridge that, if completed, would cross the Ohio River northeast of Huntington.

The KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission will hold an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at its office in Huntington, located at 400 3rd Ave. Representatives will give a presentation at 6 p.m. to share the results of a feasibility study that evaluated the need for a new crossing connecting Ohio 7 and W.Va. 2.

Such a bridge would be the final step in completing the long-anticipated Tri-State Outer Belt linking Ohio, West Virginia and key segments of Interstate 64. Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Transportation recommended $5 million in funding for the second phase of that state’s portion of the project, which would construct a 4 1/2-mile bypass connecting Chesapeake and Proctorville.

See the three alternatives at https://ohioriverbridgecrossing.com/

IMO, Alternative 1, lining up directly with WV 193 and OH 7, is my preference.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on November 20, 2019, 10:53:15 AM
The important thing here is that Ohio has to complete OH 7 as a four lane to the proposed bridge or it really doesn’t serve a purpose. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 20, 2019, 11:23:57 AM
It looks like money is being programmed for a year or two out for right-of-way purchases for the last part of the long-delayed bypass. But realistically, it won't be until 2030 or so (unless it is tolled) that this bridge will be built.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on November 20, 2019, 01:15:56 PM
The important thing here is that Ohio has to complete OH 7 as a four lane to the proposed bridge or it really doesn’t serve a purpose.

The end of the relocated OH 7 northeast of Proctorville is directly opposite the end of WV 193, so I've long-wondered if there wasn't a long-range plan to build a bridge.

But...

Feedback sought on proposed Ohio River bridge near Merritts Creek (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/feedback-sought-on-proposed-ohio-river-bridge-near-merritts-creek/article_8824f98a-429e-54f7-b9d3-2c883b261bd0.html)

Earlier this month, the Ohio Department of Transportation recommended $5 million in funding for the second phase of that state’s portion of the project, which would construct a 4 1/2-mile bypass connecting Chesapeake and Proctorville.

I didn't realize Ohio had finally started moving forward with that project.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 21, 2019, 09:19:07 AM
(https://ohioriverbridgecrossing.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/corridor-1-1.jpg)

Looking at Corridor 1 more closely, it looks like they are still planning for a four-lane widening of WV Route 2. I'm sure that's just a sketch of a road overlaid on the highway, but it could also be something more concrete. Would it really wipe out access to the houses north of WV Route 193? Or would it provide driveway access with turn-arounds provided at median breaks?

And OH Route 7 south and north of the planned bridge was designed for four-lanes, so the concept is more on point.

(https://ohioriverbridgecrossing.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/corridor-2-1.jpg)

This assumes much of the same but provides no direct connection to WV Route 193.

(https://ohioriverbridgecrossing.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/corridor-3.jpg)

I am assuming that traffic going north on OH 7 to the bridge would cross over the southbound lanes of OH Route 7 on a flyover? And that it would do the same for bridge traffic going north on OH Route 7?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on December 04, 2019, 09:43:13 AM
The leading photo is a view of the Coalfields Highway at Slab Fork showing progress!

Second bond sale complete, will generate $700 million plus (https://wvexplorer.com/2019/12/04/second-bond-sale-roads-to-prosperity-wv/?fbclid=IwAR1zsppcddPm4HL9RK5kYXbaQGOwM3EaiOJ-Ms5osz8vQADm6_U97z_u8oU)

West Virginia has sold $600 million in general obligation road bonds and generated more than $746.5 million in proceeds to be used for highway, bridge, and secondary road construction projects, Governor Jim Justice announced.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: TheOneKEA on December 08, 2019, 09:53:20 AM
Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I’ve observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 09, 2019, 01:59:27 PM
Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I’ve observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.

I assume power plants.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2019, 05:02:06 PM
Where does WVDOT get their cinder supply for winter road treatment? I’ve observed a lot of cinder use in the Panhandle this winter.

The Dominion Virginia Power generating station at Mount Storm (Bismarck) certainly generates a lot of ash

However, coal ash is generally considered pretty toxic, so I am not sure if it is legal or appropriate to apply that stuff to public roads.

Years ago, I know that the Pennsylvania Turnpike used to apply lots and lots of cinders or ash to the Turnpike, in addition to good old salt. 

Never been clear where the cinders used by PTC came from (perhaps that was by design?).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 10, 2019, 09:30:47 AM
State moving forward with less expensive plan for Culloden interchange (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/state-moving-forward-with-less-expensive-plan-for-culloden-interchange/article_f3f859a0-8352-5a50-8906-043b69797be6.html)

The West Virginia Division of Highways has selected a less expensive alternative as the preferred plan to build an interchange connecting U.S. 60 in Culloden to Interstate 64.

The preferred plan will still displace 10 residences in the Whites Mobile Home Park off Virginia Avenue and one business, but will not require a bridge to be built over the railroad track.

[...]

The project includes the replacement of bridges heading eastbound and westbound over Benedict Road, also known as County Route 60. Crews will add a diamond-shaped interchange at these bridges, near mile marker 32, and upgrade Benedict Road to a three-lane connector to Virginia Avenue. They will also add a new connection from Benedict Road and Virginia Avenue to U.S. 60.

--

Details with alternatives mapped out: http://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/cullodeninterchange/Pages/default.aspx
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 17, 2019, 03:10:00 PM
The forthcoming US 119/Corridor G improvements in the vicinity of Oakwood Road in Charleston are progressing with a far more cost-effective solution: R/J turns (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Oakwood-Road-Intersection-Improvements/Documents/Oakwood%20Rd%20Improvement%20Alternative_Improvements_Board.pdf)!

It seemed that there was a lot of local opposition to a freeway alternative because of the size and scope of the project - and of course, there is the cost. WVDOH gets a cost-savings and PR win.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on January 03, 2020, 11:43:56 AM
I was pleasantly surprised to see WVDOH reconstruct the mainline and ramps of the short circa 1977 US 30 freeway in Chester with new concrete. A comparison of the prior conditions: https://goo.gl/maps/LwFFM1eaBoPmbzca9

Edit: Apparently this was done in late 2016-17 and was basically an unbonded concrete overlay on top of the existing pavement: https://www.reviewonline.com/news/local-news/2016/11/u-s-30-work-to-continue-into-next-year/
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on January 03, 2020, 11:51:57 AM
I was pleasantly surprised to see WVDOH reconstruct the mainline and ramps of the short circa 1977 US 30 freeway in Chester with new concrete. A comparison of the prior conditions: https://goo.gl/maps/LwFFM1eaBoPmbzca9

Edit: Apparently this was done in late 2016-17 and was basically an unbonded concrete overlay on top of the existing pavement: https://www.reviewonline.com/news/local-news/2016/11/u-s-30-work-to-continue-into-next-year/

They were working on that when I was up that way a couple of years ago. They had westbound 30 closed and were forcing traffic onto the old route, to re-enter at WV 2 to cross the river.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on January 29, 2020, 12:08:58 PM
WVa officials seek someone to preserve historic bridge (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_region/wva-officials-seek-someone-to-preserve-historic-bridge/article_3637af89-1be6-59f3-a059-263b27f29ccd.html)

West Virginia officials are trying to find someone interested in preserving a historic bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

The Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, was built in 1891. It lies over the back channel of the Ohio River from Wheeling Island, West Virginia, to Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The bridge was originally part of the streetcar system in Wheeling and later converted to a toll road for automobile traffic. It became toll-free in 1953 and was part of U.S. 252 until it was closed in 1988 due to deterioration.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on January 29, 2020, 02:02:45 PM
WVa officials seek someone to preserve historic bridge (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_region/wva-officials-seek-someone-to-preserve-historic-bridge/article_3637af89-1be6-59f3-a059-263b27f29ccd.html)

West Virginia officials are trying to find someone interested in preserving a historic bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

The Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, was built in 1891. It lies over the back channel of the Ohio River from Wheeling Island, West Virginia, to Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The bridge was originally part of the streetcar system in Wheeling and later converted to a toll road for automobile traffic. It became toll-free in 1953 and was part of U.S. 252 until it was closed in 1988 due to deterioration.

I'm pretty sure not even pedestrian traffic is allowed on that bridge now.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 29, 2020, 04:23:00 PM
WVa officials seek someone to preserve historic bridge (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_region/wva-officials-seek-someone-to-preserve-historic-bridge/article_3637af89-1be6-59f3-a059-263b27f29ccd.html)

West Virginia officials are trying to find someone interested in preserving a historic bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

The Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, was built in 1891. It lies over the back channel of the Ohio River from Wheeling Island, West Virginia, to Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The bridge was originally part of the streetcar system in Wheeling and later converted to a toll road for automobile traffic. It became toll-free in 1953 and was part of U.S. 252 until it was closed in 1988 due to deterioration.

I'm pretty sure not even pedestrian traffic is allowed on that bridge now.

I think they meant US 250...
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on January 30, 2020, 01:36:03 PM
WVa officials seek someone to preserve historic bridge (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_region/wva-officials-seek-someone-to-preserve-historic-bridge/article_3637af89-1be6-59f3-a059-263b27f29ccd.html)

West Virginia officials are trying to find someone interested in preserving a historic bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

The Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, was built in 1891. It lies over the back channel of the Ohio River from Wheeling Island, West Virginia, to Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The bridge was originally part of the streetcar system in Wheeling and later converted to a toll road for automobile traffic. It became toll-free in 1953 and was part of U.S. 252 until it was closed in 1988 due to deterioration.

I'm pretty sure not even pedestrian traffic is allowed on that bridge now.

I think they meant US 250...

Actually, they meant WV 252. The bridge still carries that inventory number, even though it's closed. The Wheeling suspension bridge is unsigned WV 251.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on January 31, 2020, 10:59:27 AM
WVa officials seek someone to preserve historic bridge (https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_region/wva-officials-seek-someone-to-preserve-historic-bridge/article_3637af89-1be6-59f3-a059-263b27f29ccd.html)

West Virginia officials are trying to find someone interested in preserving a historic bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio.

The Aetnaville Bridge, also known as the Georgia Street Bridge, was built in 1891. It lies over the back channel of the Ohio River from Wheeling Island, West Virginia, to Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The bridge was originally part of the streetcar system in Wheeling and later converted to a toll road for automobile traffic. It became toll-free in 1953 and was part of U.S. 252 until it was closed in 1988 due to deterioration.

I'm pretty sure not even pedestrian traffic is allowed on that bridge now.

The bridge has been fenced off and closed to everyone for four years. WVDOH stopped doing inspections on the bridge when it closed to vehicular traffic. They finally did a new inspection in Fall 2015 that determined the bridge could barely support its own weight and was at imminent risk of failure.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: ixnay on February 06, 2020, 08:23:55 AM
http://wvmetronews.com/2020/02/03/part-of-i-70-westbound-in-wheeling-officially-closed-for-next-nine-months/

I'm surprised nobody else on this has picked up on this, nor on the closure of the old suspension bridge (except to peds and bicyclists)...

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeling_Suspension_Bridge

ixnay
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on February 06, 2020, 09:39:47 AM
Unmentioned in the story is that one can simply avoid the whole deal via the I-470 Wheeling bypass, which is actually shorter than I-70.  You can actually see one Ohio River bridge from the other.   

Wheeling or Macon GA have to be in a competition for the least important places to get a 3di bypass. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on February 07, 2020, 03:24:14 PM
Total mess, weather not helping.

https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Bridge-on-I-64-near-Nitro-shut-down-567622611.html

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: mgk920 on February 07, 2020, 10:29:07 PM
Total mess, weather not helping.

https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Bridge-on-I-64-near-Nitro-shut-down-567622611.html

Big Rig Steve was caught up in that mess - he ended up having to spend the night last night (logbook rules) on the shoulder of EB I-64 just west of interchange 44 (trip from Columbus, OH to Charlotte, NC).

 :-o

Mike
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on February 08, 2020, 08:34:03 PM
Total mess, weather not helping.

https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Bridge-on-I-64-near-Nitro-shut-down-567622611.html

There's really no good way around that if you get hung up in traffic close to it. Exit soon enough, and you can make your way over to Winfield and cross there, or go from Hurricane to Hamlin, then via WV 3 to US 119. I'm guessing traffic was dog-knotted well before the WV 34 exit at Teays Valley.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on February 10, 2020, 10:24:48 AM
There's really no good way around that if you get hung up in traffic close to it. Exit soon enough, and you can make your way over to Winfield and cross there.


Yeah, it was a total mess.  Weather did not help.  Teays Valley was full of truckers and tourists, going in all directions, including the opposite direction from another trucker or tourist as different GPS failures suggested a plethora of alternate routes.  The weather pretty much gummed up all the alternatives. 

US 35 traffic mostly took the “Toyota Bridge”  or the Winfield Bridge and tried to make their way down WV 62 to the Nitro exit.  Some I-64 traffic also tried this, using WV 34 to Winfield.  Traffic on WV 62 through the town of Poca was taking an hour to an hour and a half to go one mile.

If one stayed on I-64, the cops just exited everyone onto WV 817 (old US 35) down to US 60 and then through St. Albans to South Charleston.  Others were exiting at Exit 39 and taking the local Teays Valley Road, CR 33, which parallels 64 and JCT with 817 at the same point.  Traffic through St. Albans was running one to two hours to get 4 miles.  Another alternative was to take the Hurricane exit and WV 34 South to its JCT with US 60, which ends up in St. Albans as well.

Other alternatives were to take the route you describe, WV 34 South to West Hamlin and WV 214 to US 119, or CR 1 to Alum Creek and US 119, but the snow zapped these.  My plan for Friday was what is know alternately as Poplar Fork Road, Scott Depot Road, or Coal Mountain Road, CR 46, to US 60.  It is closed to trucks and gets down to one lane for about a mile, but the snow zapped it as well.

Ended up calling in “road impassible”  to work for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on February 10, 2020, 11:01:47 AM
I figured there might be some county routes known only to locals that could be used. I know I've been across the road that connects Hurricane to US 35.

There are lots more options available to long-distance travelers if they know how to find them. If the destination beyond Charleston was somewhere on 64 east or 77 south, you were stuck, but anyone wanting to go north on 77 or 79 should have used WV 2 over to Ravenswood. If the destination was Clarksburg or beyond on 79, then US 50 (Corridor D) will get you there.

I haven't used Waze enough to know if it will offer up a long-distance detour like that, or if it just tries to give you an immediate route around the closure.

I remember a trip a few years ago where I was weighing I-64/I-77 or WV 2 to get from Charleston to Parkersburg. A paving project on I-64 that had traffic dog-knotted tipped the scales for me on that one. WV 2 it was.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on February 10, 2020, 11:35:13 AM
Part of the problem in more mountainous or hilly terrain is the lack of viable alternative routes. If you get caught in an accident on the West Virginia Turnpike, you're screwed. If you try to get around it, it's even worse. Those Turnpike "detours" are extreme.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on February 10, 2020, 03:16:32 PM
Part of the problem in more mountainous or hilly terrain is the lack of viable alternative routes. If you get caught in an accident on the West Virginia Turnpike, you're screwed. If you try to get around it, it's even worse. Those Turnpike "detours" are extreme.

True. And after that big snowstorm a few years ago that prompted the marked Turnpike detours, that's why they installed some removable gates along the barrier walls. I forgot the increments, I think maybe every five miles. If something happens that's going to block the Turnpike for an extended period, they can open those gates and get traffic turned around going the other direction.

Anytime something happens on I-75 in Kentucky, US 25 gets jam-packed. But if that traffic was headed to Louisville, and the backup was north of Mt. Vernon, then US 150 would definitely be a viable alternative.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 08, 2020, 09:10:28 AM
A bit of history of Memorial Bridge, which at one point was signed as US Route 50, US Route 50 Truck, and US Route 50 Alternate. From http://parkersburgcity.com/pc/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/43971_2019-09-12_PMB_RFP_Bridge-Sale_Final.pdf

"At the Ohio end of the Memorial Bridge, U.S. Route 50 was relocated, improved to modern standards as a
four‐lane highway, and opened to traffic in September 1964.  The improvement included direct connections to
and from the Memorial Bridge.  U.S. Route 50 though, was routed south along Main Street and across the old
Parkersburg‐Belpre Bridge into Parkersburg.  In 1966, the State Road Commission of West Virginia and the Ohio
Department of Highways established the official U.S. Route 50 Truck Route over the Memorial Bridge, and
through Parkersburg via Green Street, 8th Street and Murdoch Avenue westbound and Garfield Avenue, 4th
Street and Green Street eastbound.  Signs designating this route were posted."

"At the West Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge, the State Road Commission had selected an alignment for the
continuation of relocated Route U.S. 50.   The selected alignment began at the Parkersburg approach to the
Memorial Bridge, proceeded easterly through Parkersburg, interchanged with Interstate Route 77 east of
Parkersburg, and rejoined existing U.S. Route 50 at Deerwalk.  Construction of the sections of this improved
four‐lane divided highway east of Interstate Route 77 has been completed.  Construction of the differentsections
west of Interstate Route 77 from the Memorial Bridge through the City of Parkersburg was postponed because
of heavy opposition to the alignment.  Funds earmarked for this project were transferred to other viable projects. 
However, recent efforts have begun to complete U.S. Route 50 between Parkersburg and Cincinnati, Ohio.  The
five‐mile portion in West Virginia represented one ofsix sections of U.S. Route 50 that have not been completed. 
The West Virginia Division of Highways proceeded with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
that covered several alternative alignments including the alignment noted above.  The Environmental Impact
Statement was completed in the late 1990’s and the selected route in West Virginia designated Corridor “D”  of
the Appalachian Highway System was in various stages of design and construction.  This route passes over the
Ohio River and Blennerhassett Island."

Deerwalk is about 10 miles east of Interstate 77.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 08, 2020, 12:06:46 PM
Memorial Bridge -- is that the downtown bridge that used to carry US 50 until the new Blennerhassett Bridge was completed, or the old toll bridge that's upstream?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 08, 2020, 03:46:13 PM
Toll bridge upstream.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: sbeaver44 on April 13, 2020, 01:08:38 PM
Looking at GSV of that bridge area is amusing.  Where WV 68 meets it, there's a cool old sign that points "Short Way West to US 50 & OH 7"

But at the same intersection, a "To US 50" sign is also pointing to the South
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 14, 2020, 11:16:41 AM
Looking at GSV of that bridge area is amusing.  Where WV 68 meets it, there's a cool old sign that points "Short Way West to US 50 & OH 7"

But at the same intersection, a "To US 50" sign is also pointing to the South

The "cool old sign" is there to advertise for a privately-owned toll bridge. The "To US 50" sign is a WVDOT installation. Although it's a pain to navigate the traffic lights through Parkersburg, especially now that US 50 runs south of the downtown area.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: sbeaver44 on April 14, 2020, 11:42:35 AM
Corridor D is absolutely on my short list of post-COVID roadtrips.

I have done Corridors H and L in WV (minus the US 19 connector to the Turnpike)

I don't know if I've come across an ADHS Corridor I didn't like
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 14, 2020, 01:53:12 PM
Corridor D is absolutely on my short list of post-COVID roadtrips.

I have done Corridors H and L in WV (minus the US 19 connector to the Turnpike)

I don't know if I've come across an ADHS Corridor I didn't like

You might not like some of the ones in Tennessee and Kentucky. Many of them are conventional improved two-lane roads -- think "super-2" but with normal at-grade intersections. And from what I gather, the US 119 connection across Pine Mountain will never be built.

As for the ones you mention, Corridor D becomes much less interesting after you cross US 62 going west.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: sbeaver44 on April 14, 2020, 02:21:12 PM
Corridor D is absolutely on my short list of post-COVID roadtrips.

I have done Corridors H and L in WV (minus the US 19 connector to the Turnpike)

I don't know if I've come across an ADHS Corridor I didn't like

You might not like some of the ones in Tennessee and Kentucky. Many of them are conventional improved two-lane roads -- think "super-2" but with normal at-grade intersections. And from what I gather, the US 119 connection across Pine Mountain will never be built.

As for the ones you mention, Corridor D becomes much less interesting after you cross US 62 going west.
I've done all of KY 9 (while not an ADHS) and loved it.

Also did Corridor G between WV and Corridor B, and Corridor B down the whole way from Pikeville to Asheville.  I wanted to see the Pikeville Cut Through and the downtown area of Pikeville too.
Pikeville was really awesome, and B is great.  Not quite Sheetz but I did like Double Kwik.

Yeah I've been very curious about some other KY roads.  Your state is beautiful.  Just not as close a drive to Harrisburg, PA!
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 14, 2020, 06:10:59 PM
Corridor D is absolutely on my short list of post-COVID roadtrips.

I have done Corridors H and L in WV (minus the US 19 connector to the Turnpike)

I don't know if I've come across an ADHS Corridor I didn't like

You might not like some of the ones in Tennessee and Kentucky. Many of them are conventional improved two-lane roads -- think "super-2" but with normal at-grade intersections. And from what I gather, the US 119 connection across Pine Mountain will never be built.

As for the ones you mention, Corridor D becomes much less interesting after you cross US 62 going west.
I've done all of KY 9 (while not an ADHS) and loved it.

Also did Corridor G between WV and Corridor B, and Corridor B down the whole way from Pikeville to Asheville.  I wanted to see the Pikeville Cut Through and the downtown area of Pikeville too.
Pikeville was really awesome, and B is great.  Not quite Sheetz but I did like Double Kwik.

Yeah I've been very curious about some other KY roads.  Your state is beautiful.  Just not as close a drive to Harrisburg, PA!

Double Kwik's are hit and miss. Some are great with an expansive hot food bar. Others have less of a selection. I'm on the northern fringe of DK territory. The one in Jackson, where I work, doesn't have a big menu. There's a new one in West Liberty that has a lot more in the way of food.

If you want to take a virtual drive on Kentucky's highways, visit http://maps.kytc.ky.gov/photolog/?config=Photolog&x1=5114935.959483551&y1=3868453.589951066&x2=5427435.959483551&y2=3971969.214951066&MODE=PL. That's the state photo viewer, and it's better than Google Street View because the images are typically updated every year, there's a "play" function, and you can speed up the playback for a faster trip.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: sbeaver44 on April 14, 2020, 06:48:46 PM
The Double Kwik I went to was on the SE side of Pikeville where KY 1426 meets KY 1460

Ah, thanks for the KY roads link.  Similar to PennDOT's VideoLog I imagine.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: ibthebigd on April 14, 2020, 09:17:58 PM
Not trying to get off topic but I don't get why Kentucky doesn't have Sheetz or Casey's.

SM-G950U

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 15, 2020, 12:27:30 PM
Sheetz seems to have found a market along a north - south corridor and its distribution system seems set up for that.  It has not yet gone into southern Ohio or Kentucky, which would be a different market with different competitors, vendors, and media.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 15, 2020, 04:02:21 PM
Sheetz seems to have found a market along a north - south corridor and its distribution system seems set up for that.  It has not yet gone into southern Ohio or Kentucky, which would be a different market with different competitors, vendors, and media.

It's been a few years, but on a stop at the Sheetz at the Milton exit, one of the employees there told me that they were looking into expanding into Kentucky, but there were some taxation hurdles at that time. But I've also mentioned the fact that I saw a Sheetz gas tanker pull out of the Catlettsburg refinery onto US 23 and I followed it onto I-64 eastbound into West Virginia, so who knows what might happen? Sheetz's competition in eastern Kentucky (and southern Ohio) would mostly be Speedway. They seem to be doing well along the I-64 corridor competing with Speedway and GoMart. I can see Sheetz in Morehead, Grayson, Louisa, Maysville, Ashland/Greenup County area, and even Paintsville, Prstonsburg, Pikeville, and into southwestern Virginia (Wise/Norton area) and in Ironton, South Point, Portsmouth and Chillicothe, and probably Jackson, Athens, Gallipolis, and some other locations along the major four-lane routes.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Rothman on April 15, 2020, 10:59:22 PM
Not Marathon?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 16, 2020, 12:01:50 PM
Not Marathon?

Speedway is Marathon's convenience store brand.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 16, 2020, 02:34:35 PM
Around here, Marathon brand is what Marathon puts on independently owned conv. stores with gasoline, which, of course, vary from place to place and are often kinda sketchy.  Speedway brand are all corporately owned and more or less all the same.  The Marathon down the road from me is the kind of place that sells items (porn, parlay cards (although sports gambling is legal via cell phones here now), rolling papers, bootleg music, knock-off cologne, etc) that corporate stores generally don't carry.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on April 16, 2020, 10:17:16 PM
Yeah, I don't know if Speedway is going to get into that stuff even though there clearly is demand for it.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: froggie on June 16, 2020, 09:48:05 AM
Bitmapped posted this on Twitter...it's from a development website that suggests the I-79 interchanges at Exits 153 and 155 in Morgantown would be reconfigured into DDIs:

https://twitter.com/bitmapped/status/1272784680291622914
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 16, 2020, 07:01:36 PM
Wow, they honestly just built Exit #153 and they want to reconfigure it already?? What a waste of money.......  I can understand #155, but not #153.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on June 16, 2020, 11:07:49 PM
Wow, they honestly just built Exit #153 and they want to reconfigure it already?? What a waste of money.......  I can understand #155, but not #153.

DOH is claiming that they underestimated the traffic expected to come from the new Westridge development when designing Exit #153. This project was funded by a TIF district, which is also apparently going to pay for the reconstruction. I'm skeptical that the project is really going to generate that much traffic within a foreseeable timeframe.

The Exit #155 work is supposed to be funded by the state's Roads to Prosperity bond issues. DOH has been secretive about what they're actually planning here (even design engineers in the district didn't know when I asked). The existing interchange is unsignalized and has problems with traffic backing up turning left off I-79 both northbound and southbound during rush hour, but I'm not sure eliminating the free flowing movements between the east and south with a diverging diamond are a good fix.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on June 16, 2020, 11:54:48 PM
Part of the issue is the terrain. The poor side roads and the lack of connecting and secondary roads puts all of the traffic into the interchanges.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on June 17, 2020, 02:45:29 PM
https://www.facebook.com/WVDOT/videos/965218073939088

US 35 update.  Project manager in the video is a buddy of mine. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: 2trailertrucker on June 21, 2020, 12:18:05 AM
https://www.facebook.com/WVDOT/videos/965218073939088

US 35 update.  Project manager in the video is a buddy of mine. 

Are they staying with the October 2020 completion date or, as they say in the video, has that been pushed back to 2021?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on June 21, 2020, 11:21:58 AM
Early 21. Goal was before election day 20, but they got behind schedule.  Depending on the weather it should be very early in spring 21.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on August 28, 2020, 01:12:03 PM
https://www.wsaz.com/2020/08/26/i-64-widening-project-details-presented/

Work finally starting on the long delayed 6 lane expansion of I-64 between St. Albans and Nitro exits.  Currently a major bottleneck, when completed 64 will be 6 lane from its junction with I-77 at MP 59 to Exit 39.  Eventual plan is a 6 lane upgrade for the entire route to Huntington. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Buck87 on September 18, 2020, 02:04:58 PM
I was on OH 7 along the river this week and noticed the Wellsburg-Brilliant bridge is coming along nicely. The arched bridge itself is being constructed on the WV side upriver from the site it will later be floated to on barges. The foundation and piers look to be mostly done on the Ohio side, and there's some Brilliant connector road construction underway as well.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on October 21, 2020, 11:26:01 AM
US 522 upgrade.  Bypass of Berkeley Springs.

https://www.journal-news.net/journal-news/gov-justice-approves-award-for-u-s-522-bypass-project/article_af4be216-c061-547b-b2be-9b339260b773.html

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on October 21, 2020, 12:34:41 PM
US 522 upgrade.  Bypass of Berkeley Springs.

https://www.journal-news.net/journal-news/gov-justice-approves-award-for-u-s-522-bypass-project/article_af4be216-c061-547b-b2be-9b339260b773.html

Good stuff.  Clearly needed, IMO not because the U.S. 522 traffic across Morgan County is usually that bad, but because a lot of trucks go this way instead of taking I-70 and I-81 to get from Hancock, Maryland to Winchester, Virginia - this project will remove most of those truck trips from the "downtown" area of Berkeley Springs, including the area around the state park that includes the mineral springs.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on October 21, 2020, 03:06:11 PM
Nearly $60 million for construction. Sounds awfully expensive, given the terrain of the area (especially as compared to the rest of the state.)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 21, 2020, 06:22:18 PM
US 522 upgrade.  Bypass of Berkeley Springs.

https://www.journal-news.net/journal-news/gov-justice-approves-award-for-u-s-522-bypass-project/article_af4be216-c061-547b-b2be-9b339260b773.html

Am I correct that this is not a complete bypass for US-522, but just the southeast leg to Martinsburg Road (WV-9) plus an extension to Fairfax Street?  Martinsburg Road in downtown will not be useful for north-south truck traffic, and Fairfax Street is not going to be able to handle US-522 traffic volumes.  Just knowing West Virginia's financial situation, it will be very difficult to complete the rest of the bypass anytime soon.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: famartin on October 21, 2020, 06:39:14 PM
US 522 upgrade.  Bypass of Berkeley Springs.

https://www.journal-news.net/journal-news/gov-justice-approves-award-for-u-s-522-bypass-project/article_af4be216-c061-547b-b2be-9b339260b773.html

Am I correct that this is not a complete bypass for US-522, but just the southeast leg to Martinsburg Road (WV-9) plus an extension to Fairfax Street?  Martinsburg Road in downtown will not be useful for north-south truck traffic, and Fairfax Street is not going to be able to handle US-522 traffic volumes.  Just knowing West Virginia's financial situation, it will be very difficult to complete the rest of the bypass anytime soon.

Apparently...
https://www.morganmessenger.com/2020/08/05/522-bypass-project-now-out-to-bid/
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: BrianP on October 22, 2020, 11:05:45 AM
The article says the rest of the bypass will be built as a separate project:
Quote
“The remaining 1 mile of the bypass will be part of a Design Build project that is currently on the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is slated to begin construction next year,”  state documents say.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: bluecountry on October 22, 2020, 04:44:38 PM
Good, this will be my new route from NOVA to Pittsburgh.
I HATE route 15.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 22, 2020, 08:55:31 PM
Good, this will be my new route from NOVA to Pittsburgh.
I HATE route 15.

If you like two lane roads, try US-522 to VA-127/WV-127 to WV-29 to WV-9/MD-51.  For the past 30 years, this was my route from Northwestern Virginia to Cumberland.  It sound convoluted, but it's a relatively straight shot (and should be signed as a US highway).  There's a bunch of great two-lane routes from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, but the easiest way is I-68 to US-40 to Uniontown.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: bluecountry on October 23, 2020, 10:40:14 AM
Good, this will be my new route from NOVA to Pittsburgh.
I HATE route 15.

If you like two lane roads, try US-522 to VA-127/WV-127 to WV-29 to WV-9/MD-51.  For the past 30 years, this was my route from Northwestern Virginia to Cumberland.  It sound convoluted, but it's a relatively straight shot (and should be signed as a US highway).  There's a bunch of great two-lane routes from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, but the easiest way is I-68 to US-40 to Uniontown.
Did it once, do not like it.  I LOVE I-68, love the mountains. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on October 26, 2020, 11:55:50 PM
Nearly $60 million for construction. Sounds awfully expensive, given the terrain of the area (especially as compared to the rest of the state.)

Despite the "calm terrain" compared to the rest of the state, the bypass will require a lot of excavation, especially at the WV 9 interchange.  Bedrock is also very close to the surface in some areas.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on November 15, 2020, 07:15:33 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.
- I-64's major widening from MP 21 (just east of Mall Road/Barboursville) to the existing six-lane segment at MP 15 (at US 60/East Huntington) is well underway. The segment from MP 18 (WV 192) to MP 21 is much more advanced in terms of construction than the remainder and will essentially be six-lanes for through with an auxiliary lane between MP 18 and MP 20.
- I believe that the I-64 bridge over CR 52/6 and Hisey Fork Fourpole Creek at MP 9 is being widened to accommodate six lanes in the future. Work is underway now. Edit: This contract (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/ContractDetail.aspx?c=268) leads me to believe it's more replacement than widening. The deck was redone several years ago, overlaid with asphalt after it prematurely failed, then redone again. I wonder if it has ongoing structural issues that necessitate replacement.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on November 17, 2020, 04:28:29 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.

What were they doing? Eliminating the weave for traffic entering 79 southbound?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 17, 2020, 04:43:04 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.

What were they doing? Eliminating the weave for traffic entering 79 southbound?

The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on November 17, 2020, 07:45:49 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.

What were they doing? Eliminating the weave for traffic entering 79 southbound?

The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

That's sad, since it was a one-of-a-kind (the only example of double cloverleaf without diamond ramps, southbound lanes only).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 17, 2020, 10:08:13 PM
The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

That's sad, since it was a one-of-a-kind (the only example of double cloverleaf without diamond ramps, southbound lanes only).

I-70 Exit #15 on the west side of Washington, PA has the exact same setup as the old Exit #99 configuration. I-376 Exit #67 at the top of Green Tree Hill near Pittsburgh is pretty close, too.

Personally, I think WVDOH's Exit #99 rebuild was a waste of money. The I-79 SB bridge was extra-wide - 58 feet. With a minimal amount of new asphalt on each end, they could have restriped the existing bridge for a collector-distributor setup that would have addressed the weave issues and avoided eliminating free-flowing ramps.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on November 17, 2020, 10:23:10 PM
The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

That's sad, since it was a one-of-a-kind (the only example of double cloverleaf without diamond ramps, southbound lanes only).

I-70 Exit #15 on the west side of Washington, PA has the exact same setup as the old Exit #99 configuration. I-376 Exit #67 at the top of Green Tree Hill near Pittsburgh is pretty close, too.

Personally, I think WVDOH's Exit #99 rebuild was a waste of money. The I-79 SB bridge was extra-wide - 58 feet. With a minimal amount of new asphalt on each end, they could have restriped the existing bridge for a collector-distributor setup that would have addressed the weave issues and avoided eliminating free-flowing ramps.

Yup.  Never paid attention to the one on I-70, but I've used the Greentree exit many times (including those cloverleafs).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on November 17, 2020, 11:37:30 PM
The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

That's sad, since it was a one-of-a-kind (the only example of double cloverleaf without diamond ramps, southbound lanes only).

I-70 Exit #15 on the west side of Washington, PA has the exact same setup as the old Exit #99 configuration. I-376 Exit #67 at the top of Green Tree Hill near Pittsburgh is pretty close, too.

I-91 Exit 7 in Springfield, VT says hi.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on November 18, 2020, 03:38:31 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.

What were they doing? Eliminating the weave for traffic entering 79 southbound?

The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

Any aerials or diagrams of the new configuration out there? Last time I used that exit was a couple of years ago and work hadn't started yet.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 18, 2020, 04:14:55 PM
Some notes from today:

- The new ramp for I-79 SB to US 33/US 48 at Weston is now open.

What were they doing? Eliminating the weave for traffic entering 79 southbound?

The converted southbound to a folded diamond. The I-79 SB offramp now is a straight-ish leg that meets Mud Lick Road and US 33 at a 4-way intersection. They've also realigned the NB off ramp, I think eliminating the direct EB merge ramps. Traffic signals now at both off-ramps.

Any aerials or diagrams of the new configuration out there? Last time I used that exit was a couple of years ago and work hadn't started yet.

There's a video flyover from August on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/151252694931477/videos/299265814686170/
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 26, 2020, 10:36:58 PM
The widening of Interstate 64 between Huntington and Barboursville in Cabell County, West Virginia continues. The section between Exit 15 (US 60/East Huntington) and Exit 18 (WV 193) will be widened to six lanes while the portion from Exit 18 to Exit 20 (Mall Road) will be widened to eight lanes. I believe that the bridges are being replaced outright. The Guyandotte River crossing, built in 1959, is structurally deficient. The bridges over WV 193, also built in 1959, cross over a now-buried creek. The replacements are far shorter. When complete, I-64 will have six through lanes from Exit 10 (WV 10) to Exit 20.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/127448654_10108433682968650_7982540807924949093_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=0UWk72xbw5gAX8Nqy-g&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=e9a4138589c1864a33316a11d406c1e7&oe=5FE4E2B5)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/127772766_10108433682958670_2800790907871116075_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=dug3DY4kak0AX9UlLQe&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=663012bc5390631698d6d5424487b976&oe=5FE634A2)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/126863005_10108433683008570_7657446457122095183_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=lHn4rzoUhu8AX9w8j-E&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=9a5ff5388b934513771e3e2c1f570f87&oe=5FE48081)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/127639879_10108433683128330_3817148553853983524_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=eaeI-hYhocsAX-s3E2L&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=1f4825fbb1670d71dbf91ba7c2a508bd&oe=5FE7F6BB)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/127795921_10108433683088410_8571066620442436160_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=bI8xhoyKyD0AX-IuxTD&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=2edf42ee56994dfbf61cdb0c01f2480e&oe=5FE51F24)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on November 27, 2020, 09:25:23 AM
The widening of Interstate 64 between Huntington and Barboursville in Cabell County, West Virginia continues. The section between Exit 15 (US 60/East Huntington) and Exit 18 (WV 193) will be widened to six lanes while the portion from Exit 18 to Exit 20 (Mall Road) will be widened to eight lanes. I believe that the bridges are being replaced outright. The Guyandotte River crossing, built in 1959, is structurally deficient. The bridges over WV 193, also built in 1959, cross over a now-buried creek. The replacements are far shorter. When complete, I-64 will have six through lanes from Exit 10 (WV 10) to Exit 20.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/127639879_10108433683128330_3817148553853983524_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=eaeI-hYhocsAX-s3E2L&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=1f4825fbb1670d71dbf91ba7c2a508bd&oe=5FE7F6BB)

Old memories here.  My scoutmaster died in a fiery car accident after his car flipped off the bridge onto the railroad tracks here in 1975.  His daughter survived.  My first apartment after college is just off to the left of this picture at the end of the street that crosses under the crane (Beech Drive, which ends at Garden Lane). 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 07, 2020, 09:18:56 AM
Interstate 64 is being widened to six and eight lanes through Barboursville. When complete, Interstate 64 will be six lanes from milepost 21 (past Exit 20/Mall Road) to Exit 10/WV Route 10/Huntington.

Of interest is the Merritt Creek bridge, which was built circa 1959 over Merritt Creek Road and Merritt Creek. When WV Route 193 was built in 2000, replacing Merritt Creek Road as the through route, the creek was placed into a culvert. The new bridge over WV Route 193 is much shorter as it now just needs to cross over the highway.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130451636_10108467624958630_7787173752460501720_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=dV0eooMMU5oAX9qcx8w&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8fedb19161715981a175be2de5fc33e1&oe=5FF39753)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/129730158_10108467624953640_3601746871754830489_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=_ZlOJO2Ho6wAX8xS2C2&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=c28262b702e5bdff10c81fea71efd3c5&oe=5FF23FCC)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130142514_10108467624943660_8901994115394749607_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=LlAMnDWrVa8AX_HigB5&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=25aae3943ed3208597d805f20ffcdab5&oe=5FF31434)

This is a view of Merritt Creek Road to the left and its replacement, WV Route 193, to the right. The four-lane expressway was built in 2000 and could lead to the development of an eastern highway crossing of Huntington.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130268241_10108467625128290_8103672260481733302_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=iFNm1osv7kgAX9e2tM4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=782b5d5e412b71e26e09c973a4fccf4f&oe=5FF4B271)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on December 07, 2020, 07:55:34 PM
The overhead to the ramp to I-64 is, again, on the left carriageway.

I see that WV 193 has been resurfaced since the last time I was on it.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 07, 2020, 08:26:44 PM
Interestingly, WVDOH chose to close down one direction of the highway for paving at a time instead of phasing it out as is more typically done.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on December 07, 2020, 09:07:06 PM
The overhead to the ramp to I-64 is, again, on the left carriageway.

I think I’ve seen similar treatments in OH, but the gantry usually has a sign on both sides.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on December 07, 2020, 10:15:34 PM
Interestingly, WVDOH chose to close down one direction of the highway for paving at a time instead of phasing it out as is more typically done.

That's a blast from the past.  Those closures were common for DOH back in the late 1970s and most of the 1980s.  It was funny to see a bunch of leftover crossovers scattered up and down the medians near bridges (mostly underpasses), some of them with pavement still intact.  In some cases, those crossovers dammed up the median at certain places.  I vaguely remember one location on I-79 that stayed around so long that it was reused for a bridge reconstruction (probably in the early 1990s, IIRC).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on December 07, 2020, 10:21:26 PM
The overhead to the ramp to I-64 is, again, on the left carriageway.

I think I’ve seen similar treatments in OH, but the gantry usually has a sign on both sides.

Yes, Ohio does the same thing. See SR 435 at I-71 as an example: https://goo.gl/maps/mjF4D679gS991zZc8

Putting a double-sided cantilever gantry on the same side of the highway as the ramp is common for WVDOH. Normally, it's just with a narrower median than in the US 35 example mentioned up-thread.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: froggie on December 08, 2020, 10:07:17 AM
Now I'm getting the same photo viewing issue with seicer's photos that others have commented on lately.  And I'm NOT using Chrome.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: 1995hoo on December 08, 2020, 10:11:01 AM
Now I'm getting the same photo viewing issue with seicer's photos that others have commented on lately.  And I'm NOT using Chrome.


Interesting because they're displaying fine for me in Firefox (and I did a Ctrl-F5 hard refresh to make sure it wasn't using cached data).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: 1 on December 08, 2020, 10:11:32 AM
Now I'm getting the same photo viewing issue with seicer's photos that others have commented on lately.  And I'm NOT using Chrome.

It's not the same issue, as those are HTTPS links. However, I can see them.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 08, 2020, 11:40:43 AM
Weird. These are hotlinked from Facebook which uses https (secure protocols), and many sites are migrating to this standard. The issue can be remedied by enabling Javascript (if disabled) and by disabling extension conflicts. Certain antivirus programs can even disable https images oddly enough.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: froggie on December 08, 2020, 01:35:54 PM
That would be why.  My version of Firefox throws everything from Facebook into a separate security bin due to how tracker-ridden Facebook has become.  I'm not surprised.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 08, 2020, 01:56:59 PM
I don't have a "roadgeeking" site anymore other than my dedicated site for bridges and tunnels, so I'll try a different host (perhaps Imgur) for the future.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on December 09, 2020, 12:26:50 PM
Interestingly, WVDOH chose to close down one direction of the highway for paving at a time instead of phasing it out as is more typically done.

That's a blast from the past.  Those closures were common for DOH back in the late 1970s and most of the 1980s.  It was funny to see a bunch of leftover crossovers scattered up and down the medians near bridges (mostly underpasses), some of them with pavement still intact.  In some cases, those crossovers dammed up the median at certain places.  I vaguely remember one location on I-79 that stayed around so long that it was reused for a bridge reconstruction (probably in the early 1990s, IIRC).

Tons of permanent crossovers on I-64 between the state line and WV 10. Mostly for bridge work, I presume.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on December 09, 2020, 11:13:37 PM
Ohio usually removes those when the project is over but not always.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on December 09, 2020, 11:19:32 PM
Interstate 64 is being widened to six and eight lanes through Barboursville. When complete, Interstate 64 will be six lanes from milepost 21 (past Exit 20/Mall Road) to Exit 10/WV Route 10/Huntington.

Of interest is the Merritt Creek bridge, which was built circa 1959 over Merritt Creek Road and Merritt Creek. When WV Route 193 was built in 2000, replacing Merritt Creek Road as the through route, the creek was placed into a culvert. The new bridge over WV Route 193 is much shorter as it now just needs to cross over the highway.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130451636_10108467624958630_7787173752460501720_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=dV0eooMMU5oAX9qcx8w&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8fedb19161715981a175be2de5fc33e1&oe=5FF39753)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/129730158_10108467624953640_3601746871754830489_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=_ZlOJO2Ho6wAX8xS2C2&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=c28262b702e5bdff10c81fea71efd3c5&oe=5FF23FCC)

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130142514_10108467624943660_8901994115394749607_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=LlAMnDWrVa8AX_HigB5&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=25aae3943ed3208597d805f20ffcdab5&oe=5FF31434)

This is a view of Merritt Creek Road to the left and its replacement, WV Route 193, to the right. The four-lane expressway was built in 2000 and could lead to the development of an eastern highway crossing of Huntington.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130268241_10108467625128290_8103672260481733302_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=iFNm1osv7kgAX9e2tM4&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=782b5d5e412b71e26e09c973a4fccf4f&oe=5FF4B271)

I guess the highway is called the Big Ben Bowen Highway now? I remember it being called the Merrick Creek Parkway in the early to mid 2000s when it stopped after only 1/4 mile or so at the entrance to the Home Depot. Looks like it was completely finished by 2009.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 10, 2020, 08:28:58 AM
Interestingly, WVDOH chose to close down one direction of the highway for paving at a time instead of phasing it out as is more typically done.

That's a blast from the past.  Those closures were common for DOH back in the late 1970s and most of the 1980s.  It was funny to see a bunch of leftover crossovers scattered up and down the medians near bridges (mostly underpasses), some of them with pavement still intact.  In some cases, those crossovers dammed up the median at certain places.  I vaguely remember one location on I-79 that stayed around so long that it was reused for a bridge reconstruction (probably in the early 1990s, IIRC).

Tons of permanent crossovers on I-64 between the state line and WV 10. Mostly for bridge work, I presume.

I remember the crossovers being built between Exit 1 and Exit 6 on Interstate 64 for bridge replacements. Others further east were later obliterated when the roadway was widened to six lanes.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on December 10, 2020, 02:55:20 PM
Interstate 64 is being widened to six and eight lanes through Barboursville. When complete, Interstate 64 will be six lanes from milepost 21 (past Exit 20/Mall Road) to Exit 10/WV Route 10/Huntington.

Of interest is the Merritt Creek bridge, which was built circa 1959 over Merritt Creek Road and Merritt Creek. When WV Route 193 was built in 2000, replacing Merritt Creek Road as the through route, the creek was placed into a culvert. The new bridge over WV Route 193 is much shorter as it now just needs to cross over the highway.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130451636_10108467624958630_7787173752460501720_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=dV0eooMMU5oAX9qcx8w&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8fedb19161715981a175be2de5fc33e1&oe=5FF39753)
I don't remember that short extension beyond US 60. When was that built?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on December 10, 2020, 04:36:43 PM
I remember they were still working on it in 2018. Some kind of development project with multiple uses.

edit: here's 2018

https://www.google.com/maps/place/US-60+%26+WV-193,+Barboursville,+WV+25504/@38.4158355,-82.2906314,3a,75y,238.62h,86.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spnSwju15VtkBlCgbUhGH0g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x884600b9e33e7b1b:0xe4956bc5e339a844!8m2!3d38.41586!4d-82.2906062 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/US-60+%26+WV-193,+Barboursville,+WV+25504/@38.4158355,-82.2906314,3a,75y,238.62h,86.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spnSwju15VtkBlCgbUhGH0g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x884600b9e33e7b1b:0xe4956bc5e339a844!8m2!3d38.41586!4d-82.2906062)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: BrianP on December 10, 2020, 05:53:56 PM
And finished by the end of 2019 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/US-60+%26+WV-193,+Barboursville,+WV+25504/@38.4150486,-82.2911814,3a,75y,36.67h,86.81t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipMl1OXkuuJuo9xov8jB0kLssdm8joAjU1A2FLuL!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMl1OXkuuJuo9xov8jB0kLssdm8joAjU1A2FLuL%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi3.5820124-ya329.49683-ro4.307756-fo100!7i5760!8i2880!4m5!3m4!1s0x884600b9e33e7b1b:0xe4956bc5e339a844!8m2!3d38.41586!4d-82.2906062).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: I-55 on December 10, 2020, 06:26:36 PM
Interstate 64 is being widened to six and eight lanes through Barboursville. When complete, Interstate 64 will be six lanes from milepost 21 (past Exit 20/Mall Road) to Exit 10/WV Route 10/Huntington.

Of interest is the Merritt Creek bridge, which was built circa 1959 over Merritt Creek Road and Merritt Creek. When WV Route 193 was built in 2000, replacing Merritt Creek Road as the through route, the creek was placed into a culvert. The new bridge over WV Route 193 is much shorter as it now just needs to cross over the highway.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130451636_10108467624958630_7787173752460501720_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=2&_nc_sid=b9115d&_nc_ohc=dV0eooMMU5oAX9qcx8w&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=8fedb19161715981a175be2de5fc33e1&oe=5FF39753)
I don't remember that short extension beyond US 60. When was that built?

It's a development called Tanyard Station, developed by the same group that did Merritt Creek Farm. First I heard of it was about a week or two ago. They took the old CSX yard and commercialized it circa 2018. When I was younger I used to watch CSX trains from Chesapeake St, and you couldn't see much beyond the tracks, now I imagine you can see into the development pretty well.

You can find pictures, video, and info here (https://www.ira-realty.com/commercial-development/developments/tanyard-station/)

The updated traffic signal and streetview of the commercial area can be seen  here (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4154641,-82.2902951,3a,40.4y,325.55h,88.26t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipMJJN8x4Pu_p_MmZx29gskhio7VHQ1PkZsJBcN8!2e10!3e11!7i5760!8i2880)

Local news stories also have more pictures if you're interested.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on December 22, 2020, 04:22:57 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2020/12/22/new-river-gorge-on-its-way-to-national-park-preserve-designation/

And America will soon have a new National Park.

The actual park will consist of 4 units.  The lower gorge, which is the immediate area of the New River Gorge bridge, and theoretically the bridge itself, including the current visitors center just off Corridor L; the ghost town of Thurmond, also accessible from L a few miles south; the Grandview overlook, accessible from I 64, and Sandstone Falls, just off I 64.  This area will be limited to whitewater rafting, fishing, and hiking, and the road down the gorge under the bridge will remain open under federal control.

The Preserve will be all the federal land from just below Hinton to the Hawks Nest tunnel.  This area will remain open to hunting and camping, which was an issue which kept the park from being larger.  The private land in the preserve will be acquired on the open market over time, not condemned.  About 100 acres will be bought for parking and buildings.  Existing mineral leases in the Preserve will remain valid.

Really not much more than some signage changes, but still this will be West Virginia's first true national park and the country's 64th.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on December 22, 2020, 05:13:28 PM
Technically, it was a National River which is a unit of the National Park Service. The new designation ups it to a National Park and Preserve, and it seems not much will change on the surface. I think this changes the focus - instead of just conserving and enhancing activities along the river, it will bring more focus on its other unique characteristics and develop those further. There is so much more to New River Gorge than just the four units which remain fairly separated and disjointed. How cool will it be if they were interconnected with backpacking trails? Remote camps?

From the article: "Also there will be no admission charge like there is at some national parks."

Unlike other national parks developed with particular entries that can be controlled, New River Gorge was never developed with the hindsight that it would ever be developed into a recreational area. It had been decimated by mining and coke production for decades. It's a miracle that the area has recovered as quickly as it has without any major lasting impacts ecologically.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on December 22, 2020, 08:27:42 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2020/12/22/new-river-gorge-on-its-way-to-national-park-preserve-designation/

And America will soon have a new National Park.

The actual park will consist of 4 units.  The lower gorge, which is the immediate area of the New River Gorge bridge, and theoretically the bridge itself, including the current visitors center just off Corridor L; the ghost town of Thurmond, also accessible from L a few miles south; the Grandview overlook, accessible from I 64, and Sandstone Falls, just off I 64.  This area will be limited to whitewater rafting, fishing, and hiking, and the road down the gorge under the bridge will remain open under federal control.  <snipped>

One of the best parts of my career was the Summer of 1987 spent cleaning up after the Great Floods of 1985.  The work was all along the New River, James River, Potomac River and Wills Creek in Pennsylvania (north of Cumberland, Maryland).  I was able to drive into everything on the others, but the New River Gorge was almost entirely accessible only by rail.  The [railway] signal maintainers in Fayette (you know it as North Fayette Station), Thurmond and Hinton had hy-rail trucks, but the maintainer at Prince (Amtrak station for Beckley) still had an old-fashioned track car that was equipped with a modern riding mower engine.  It was great hy-railing alongside all of the whitewater rafters and kayakers.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on December 23, 2020, 02:07:17 AM
In Floyd County, KY, you could tell how high the flood was by how high the toilet paper was in the trees...
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on December 23, 2020, 10:23:40 AM
One of the best parts of my career was the Summer of 1987 spent cleaning up after the Great Floods of 1985.  The work was all along the New River, James River, Potomac River and Wills Creek in Pennsylvania (north of Cumberland, Maryland).

In Floyd County, KY, you could tell how high the flood was by how high the toilet paper was in the trees...

Oh gosh, yes.  On the James River (somewhere north of Big Island, Virginia) there was a section of trailers along the river that got wiped out.  Two years later, the trees along the road leading down to the railroad still had toilet seats, door frames, broken windows and lots of roofing paper hanging in them.  Along the New River, the devastation was primarily on the railroad itself.  There was only one person living in the New River Gorge between Meadow Creek and Thurmond, and she didn't have much problem.  I'm amazed that the ghost town in Thurmond wasn't destroyed.  (There were a few families living in Thurmond back then, don't know about now).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on January 26, 2021, 03:04:23 AM
Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series is scheduled to take place on Saturday (1/30) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Corridor H of the Appalachian Development Highway System (US Route 48) and discuss the history, current events, and features of this highway all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the highway between Weston, WV and Strasburg, VA.

A link to the event location can be found below and we look forward to seeing you in attendance:

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on February 08, 2021, 11:15:23 PM
Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series is scheduled to take place on Saturday (2/13) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Corridor E of the Appalachian Development Highway System (Interstate 68) and discuss the history and features of this highway all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the highway between Morgantown, WV and Hancock, MD.

A link to the event location can be found below and we look forward to seeing you in attendance:

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: The Ghostbuster on February 09, 2021, 12:32:37 PM
Is West Virginia still planning to extend Interstate 68 westward, or is its terminus at Interstate 79 set in stone?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on February 10, 2021, 02:40:22 PM
Is West Virginia still planning to extend Interstate 68 westward, or is its terminus at Interstate 79 set in stone?

The project isn't going anywhere. It's not needed (corridor duplicates existing I-79/I-70 routing) and there's no money to pay for it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: wriddle082 on February 10, 2021, 04:52:41 PM
Is West Virginia still planning to extend Interstate 68 westward, or is its terminus at Interstate 79 set in stone?

The project isn't going anywhere. It's not needed (corridor duplicates existing I-79/I-70 routing) and there's no money to pay for it.

This does bring up an interesting point:  are there any plans at all to at least improve any routes between Moundsville/Wheeling and the rest of the state, so it can be more easily reached without having to pass through PA or OH?  I know that it’s pretty much a given that the eastern panhandle will forever be more easily accessed via passing through VA or MD, but I figured a better in-state northern panhandle connection was more doable.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on February 10, 2021, 06:51:57 PM
I don't think so. There isn't anything long-term planned for US Route 250. It's a pretty slow road - twisty with a lot of grades, and it's not got a lot of traffic. I think an improved two-lane road (perhaps on a four-lane right-of-way) would suffice.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on February 11, 2021, 01:32:17 PM
WV plates are valid in OH and PA, so there is really no need to waste any money on duplicating corridors already supplied with quality highways.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on February 12, 2021, 10:41:59 AM
Is West Virginia still planning to extend Interstate 68 westward, or is its terminus at Interstate 79 set in stone?

The project isn't going anywhere. It's not needed (corridor duplicates existing I-79/I-70 routing) and there's no money to pay for it.

This does bring up an interesting point:  are there any plans at all to at least improve any routes between Moundsville/Wheeling and the rest of the state, so it can be more easily reached without having to pass through PA or OH?  I know that it’s pretty much a given that the eastern panhandle will forever be more easily accessed via passing through VA or MD, but I figured a better in-state northern panhandle connection was more doable.

WV 2 is slowly being upgraded to 4 lanes which will provide a connection via Parkersburg, but with OH 7 already being significantly upgraded and I-70/I-79 existing, there's no real reason to build a new all-WV alignment.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on February 12, 2021, 10:54:38 AM
Is West Virginia still planning to extend Interstate 68 westward, or is its terminus at Interstate 79 set in stone?

The project isn't going anywhere. It's not needed (corridor duplicates existing I-79/I-70 routing) and there's no money to pay for it.

This does bring up an interesting point:  are there any plans at all to at least improve any routes between Moundsville/Wheeling and the rest of the state, so it can be more easily reached without having to pass through PA or OH?  I know that it’s pretty much a given that the eastern panhandle will forever be more easily accessed via passing through VA or MD, but I figured a better in-state northern panhandle connection was more doable.

WV 2 is slowly being upgraded to 4 lanes which will provide a connection via Parkersburg, but with OH 7 already being significantly upgraded and I-70/I-79 existing, there's no real reason to build a new all-WV alignment.

I don't think so. There isn't anything long-term planned for US Route 250. It's a pretty slow road - twisty with a lot of grades, and it's not got a lot of traffic. I think an improved two-lane road (perhaps on a four-lane right-of-way) would suffice.

There's little of consequence on US 250 between Mannington and Moundsville. The biggest place is Cameron, population 843 (2019 estimate). Through traffic is non-existent, especially south of WV 891.

I could see spot upgrades in a couple places. Straightening US 250 where it runs along the ridgetops north of WV 891 would be nice, and it would help tie together a Moundsville-Waynesburg corridor via WV 891/PA 21 that would also benefit Cameron. South of Cameron, it's not worth doing anything.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 74/171FAN on February 12, 2021, 02:57:49 PM
Quote
Stretching it a bit, I could maybe see some realignments on the northern part from WV 891 to Moundsville. WV 891 connects to PA 21, which is already a decent route over to Waynesburg. This would provide improved access to

Did you mean to add more here?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on February 12, 2021, 08:12:53 PM
I think the idea behind improvements to a corridor between I-79 and WV 2 is to improve access for the traffic that's been generated by fracking. The last time I was in that area, injection well sites and pipeline construction projects were widespread.

US 250 is one of those "why is this road on the US highway system?" routes.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on February 12, 2021, 11:32:55 PM
I think the idea behind improvements to a corridor between I-79 and WV 2 is to improve access for the traffic that's been generated by fracking. The last time I was in that area, injection well sites and pipeline construction projects were widespread.

Fracking traffic is generally local, to and from a water source. With persistent low natural gas prices, the amount of drilling has dropped significantly from its peak.

Quote
Stretching it a bit, I could maybe see some realignments on the northern part from WV 891 to Moundsville. WV 891 connects to PA 21, which is already a decent route over to Waynesburg. This would provide improved access to

Did you mean to add more here?

Oops, I meant to delete that paragraph.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on February 17, 2021, 10:12:57 PM
For this upcoming weekend's Webinar presentation, we'll be taking a look at the overall interstate and highway system of West Virginia and giving folks a general overview of the roads of The Mountain State. Coverage will begin on Saturday (2/20) at 6 PM ET and will feature live contributions from members of this forum; we hope to see you there!

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on February 17, 2021, 10:17:30 PM
For this upcoming weekend's Webinar presentation, we'll be taking a look at the overall interstate and highway system of West Virginia and giving folks a general overview of the roads of The Mountain State. Coverage will begin on Saturday (2/20) at 6 PM ET and will feature live contributions from members of this forum; we hope to see you there!

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on February 23, 2021, 10:44:07 PM
Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series is scheduled to take place on Saturday (2/27) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Corridor G of the Appalachian Development Highway System (US Route 119) and discuss the history and features of this highway all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the highway between Pikeville, KY and Charleston, WV.

A link to the event location can be found below and we look forward to seeing you in attendance:

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on February 26, 2021, 02:52:29 PM
80 mph, again?

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=331&year=2021&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on February 26, 2021, 06:15:33 PM
There are very few areas where 80 MPH would make any sense. The design speed of interstates in West Virginia, if I recall correctly, is 70 MPH. The only area that could theoretically support 80 MPH limits because of the topography is Interstate 64 east of Sam Black Church where the highway goes through significant farmland with gently rolling grades and curves.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on February 26, 2021, 06:49:26 PM
I-64 between Beckley and the Virginia state line would definitely be a good candidate for a 75 or 80 mph limit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 26, 2021, 11:53:23 PM
I-64 between Beckley and the Virginia state line would definitely be a good candidate for a 75 or 80 mph limit.

Except for the monstrous downgrade eastbound into the New River Gorge.  Truckers understand the danger, but I've seen too many flatlanders get in trouble going down this one.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on February 27, 2021, 06:43:40 PM
There are very few areas where 80 MPH would make any sense. The design speed of interstates in West Virginia, if I recall correctly, is 70 MPH. The only area that could theoretically support 80 MPH limits because of the topography is Interstate 64 east of Sam Black Church where the highway goes through significant farmland with gently rolling grades and curves.

Much of I-79, at least, has a 65mph design speed. DOH has been able to get FHWA to go along with a 70mph speed limit due to low accident rates, but I think there'd be pushback trying for higher.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on February 27, 2021, 10:28:18 PM
For that same reason, the amount of curves and a high accident rate on I-64 west of Barboursville really precludes any higher speed limits than 70 MPH (currently signed at 65 MPH). Maybe this will change once it's six-laned to West Huntington but I'd doubt it.

The one odd design feature on West Virginia's interstates is the lack of superelevated curves - at least to me. There are some noticeable flatter curves that really don't make driving over 80 MPH as easy as in other states where those curves may be more banked.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 27, 2021, 10:37:48 PM
The one odd design feature on West Virginia's interstates is the lack of superelevated curves - at least to me. There are some noticeable flatter curves that really don't make driving over 80 MPH as easy as in other states where those curves may be more banked.

Agreed that it seems as if there is very little superelevation in those curves.  However, you can tell that there is some because of the difference in adjacent lane elevations in curves with Jersey barriers down the middle.  One location you can see this is the sweeping curve on the West Virginia Turnpike from the Kanawha Valley up into Cabin Creek hollow near the Chelyan exit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: MASTERNC on February 28, 2021, 08:55:40 PM
The one odd design feature on West Virginia's interstates is the lack of superelevated curves - at least to me. There are some noticeable flatter curves that really don't make driving over 80 MPH as easy as in other states where those curves may be more banked.

It always feels like taking the curves on I-68 up and down the big hill at 70 MPH or faster is harder than on other highways of the same speed limit and advisory speed.  Maybe this is why.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on February 28, 2021, 09:44:19 PM
I often wonder if that makes crossover accidents at curves a higher probability.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on February 28, 2021, 09:59:17 PM
Cable guardrail was being installed on long portions of I-64 and I-79 when I drove through there this summer, which will help to at least reduce fatal crossover collisions.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 28, 2021, 10:50:19 PM
I often wonder if that makes crossover accidents at curves a higher probability.

Yes, plus a low or negative superelevation can cause rollover accidents for vehicles/trucks with high center of gravity.  There are several curves on the northbound lanes in the Paint Creek Canyon section of the West Virginia Turnpike that have reverse superelevation (where most of the roadbed is sloped away from the rock cut face).  We railroaders mistakenly call this "negative cant" (cant is the effect of centrifugal force as reduced by superelevation, so "negative cant" is actually the where the design speed is no longer mitigated by superelevation).

Superelevation is an artform [perfected by high speed railroads].  It needs to incorporate its own rate of change (roll rate) into the slope while also dealing with the rate of change of curvature (spiral) and often the need to set drainage at a particular slope angle.  You see this messed up the most often with grade crossings in curves with multiple track.  But I have also pushed roadway and highway bridge designers to use the same principles: 

     (A) set the curves parallel at the center of the radius;
     (B) set the elevation of the inside of the curve at the minimum design requirement;
     (C) set the roadbed slope consistent with the superelevation for the entire width of the roadbed;
     (D) design the spirals into the curve according to standard curve design practices;
     (E) extend the roll rate over the entire length of the spirals;
     (F) extend the roll rate into the tangent sections according to superelevation design standards;
     (G) correct the roll rate for the outside of the curve to meet the elevations along the centerline between lanes; and finally,
     (H) design the drainage according to standards

In layman's terms, you want to tilt the roadbed correctly in the middle of the curve and then you want to gently untilt the roadbed in both directions until you get everything smooth and flat.  Old timey civil engineers pulled out their slide rules and took the time to achieve this.  Oftentimes, programmers didn't give today's civil engineers the right set of tools to make this easy (but they understand the principle very well).  The business I was working in often needed to mix FHWA and AASHTO design practices into the mix of (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association) standards due to the prevalence of rubber-tired trains in the AGT industry.  Not sure why this computer geek had to be the one pushing to get these curves correct.

This isn't fun for the designer, and it can be very difficult for some contractors to understand.  And it certainly costs a lot more when the superelevation is set as high as possible.  You can see where this gets really complicated for roadways in excess of 4 lanes with wide medians.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 28, 2021, 11:01:14 PM
Anyway, back to where I was headed with all of this.  In West Virginia, the frequency of elevation and slope changes makes the design of grades and vertical curves more important than the superelevation designs.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 01, 2021, 09:56:14 PM
I really don't feel comfortable doing more than 70 on most of I-79 and I-77 north of Charleston (although I think the 60 mph section of the turnpike is underposted). Of course, it's more noticeable in a pickup truck than in a car, and for many years I made those trips in my Toyota Tacoma.

Cable barriers have been installed along a lot of I-79, I noticed the last time I was up that way.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tq-07fan on March 01, 2021, 10:20:17 PM
I too don't see 80 being safe anywhere in the state of West Virginia. I-64 between Barboursville and US 35 has enough level straight sections but is always too busy, although traffic seams to move along at 75.

I remember back in 1987 on a trip in my Grandma's used camper seeing the first 65 mph speed limit signs in my life in West Virginia. That was before I-64 was even completed.

Jim
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on March 01, 2021, 10:38:34 PM
People will definitely be flying. Expect some to drive to 100. And here in North Carolina, I don't get why we don't raise our speed limits to 75. Everyone here goes like 80-85 and the posted speed is 70. A higher speed limit is definitely reasonable.

I'm guessing it's cause West Virginia is very rural so they have great candidates for a higher speed limit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 02, 2021, 06:27:49 AM
^

It’s a state by state decision.

To be honest, North Carolina has far more candidates for 75 mph segments, but it’s the state that has not decided to act on this.

West Virginia also allows a higher 65 mph limit on divided highways, whereas North Carolina along with Virginia and South Carolina only permit 60 mph.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 02, 2021, 10:26:19 AM
People will definitely be flying. Expect some to drive to 100. And here in North Carolina, I don't get why we don't raise our speed limits to 75. Everyone here goes like 80-85 and the posted speed is 70. A higher speed limit is definitely reasonable.

I'm guessing it's cause West Virginia is very rural so they have great candidates for a higher speed limit.

But because of all of the criss-crossing multi-state traffic, it's my impression that only I-77 between Charleston and Mineral Wells and I-79 between Charleston and Stonewood have low enough traffic densities to justify even the 70MPH speed limit.  Since I'm a seasoned mountain driver, I've got no qualms driving 70MPH or so in the other sections, but 30% to 40% of the out of state traffic is struggling to just to survive the high lateral accelerations in curves.

On a slightly different note:  It seems a bit odd to include I-77 and I-79 just inside the Charleston city limits as lightly travelled rural interstates, and then exclude most of the rest of state.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on March 02, 2021, 01:45:34 PM
Other than the misdesigned northern third of the Turnpike, and a few miles in Charleston, all interstates in WV can safely be driven at speeds well above 70.  I know this because they are, every day.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 02, 2021, 06:56:56 PM
Other than the misdesigned northern third of the Turnpike, and a few miles in Charleston, all interstates in WV can safely be driven at speeds well above 70.  I know this because they are, every day.

I started to write two different responses supportive of your statement.  But having significant experience with safe braking distance calculations with both electrical/electronic and mechanical analyses, I had better protect my turf and take the safe road here.  It would be unwise of me to suggest that anything less than about 3.75 seconds vehicle spacing would be considered safe at 70MPH.  When traffic density exceeds about 950 vphpl on a regular basis, sustained 70MPH operations is at your own risk.

Even though I'm retired, I might get pushed back into action without notice.  I was an expert in a only few obscure areas, but I've had significant experience in almost everything you can think of related to this topic, so I probably should protect that reputation.

All that being said, I've got no issue with how the DOH (and the West Virginia Turnpike) have posted speed limits throughout the state.  Sorry to infer otherwise.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on March 02, 2021, 07:24:06 PM
Other than the misdesigned northern third of the Turnpike, and a few miles in Charleston, all interstates in WV can safely be driven at speeds well above 70.  I know this because they are, every day.
By the right car in the right conditions. A lot of the curvature on I-79, the one I know best, is not conducive to such speeds in the rain or with bald tires, etc.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 02, 2021, 11:34:52 PM
I too don't see 80 being safe anywhere in the state of West Virginia. I-64 between Barboursville and US 35 has enough level straight sections but is always too busy, although traffic seams to move along at 75.

It's routine for me to be driving eastbound between Mall Road and Milton, glance down at my speedometer, and see that I'm doing 85. And being passed by a bunch of other vehicles.

Corridor H has a 65 mph limit for most of its distance, and the hill going westbound toward the Moorefield exit has already become a speed trap. It's easy to let your speed get away from you going down that hill; and indeed, during the Corridor H meet a few years ago, a WV state trooper nailed someone as the meet caravan was passing through that area. I saw the cop turn around in my rear view mirror and was glad to see him speed past me and pull over a car that had passed me a bit earlier.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: roadwaywiz95 on March 03, 2021, 08:13:00 PM
Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series is scheduled to take place on Saturday (3/6) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Corridor L of the Appalachian Development Highway System (US Route 19) and discuss the history and features of this highway (including an in-depth discussion about the New River Gorge Bridge and its surrounding National Parkland) all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the highway between Beckley and Sutton, WV.

A link to the event location can be found below and we look forward to seeing you in attendance:

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: I-55 on March 07, 2021, 12:59:02 AM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on March 07, 2021, 10:37:11 AM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Friendsville, MD used to have a nasty speed trap on I-68.  Right at the bottom of a "ravine."
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 07, 2021, 10:08:05 PM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Friendsville, MD used to have a nasty speed trap on I-68.  Right at the bottom of a "ravine."

First and only time I ever saw cops with their doors open, leaning out with radar guns shooting traffic, was on that road going east into Cumberland down that long hill back when it was just US 40/48.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: famartin on March 07, 2021, 11:28:07 PM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Friendsville, MD used to have a nasty speed trap on I-68.  Right at the bottom of a "ravine."

First and only time I ever saw cops with their doors open, leaning out with radar guns shooting traffic, was on that road going east into Cumberland down that long hill back when it was just US 40/48.

Somewhat unrelated to the general article, but I actually saw that in Loudoun County VA a few months ago.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 08, 2021, 01:05:15 AM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Friendsville, MD used to have a nasty speed trap on I-68.  Right at the bottom of a "ravine."

First and only time I ever saw cops with their doors open, leaning out with radar guns shooting traffic, was on that road going east into Cumberland down that long hill back when it was just US 40/48.

Somewhat unrelated to the general article, but I actually saw that in Loudoun County VA a few months ago.
I’ve even that in at least two occasions passing through Emporia, VA on US-58 where the speed limit is only 60 mph.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: MASTERNC on March 08, 2021, 04:54:08 PM
My first time driving in WV was on I-68 east of Morgantown, where I averaged about 80 on the hills in a loaded minivan. This was also my first time driving on anything steep enough to require a climbing lane. There wasn't much traffic and all I was focused on was getting up and down the hills, where my speed fluctuated 65-85 mph, usually on the high end. I think most people will drive at the speed most comfortable to them in the terrain regardless of what the speed limit sign may read. And unless traffic is ultra light, speed can rapidly speed up and slow down on 64.
Friendsville, MD used to have a nasty speed trap on I-68.  Right at the bottom of a "ravine."

First and only time I ever saw cops with their doors open, leaning out with radar guns shooting traffic, was on that road going east into Cumberland down that long hill back when it was just US 40/48.

They love the hill by Rocky Gap now
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Avalanchez71 on March 09, 2021, 02:32:05 PM
The Turnpike board met this morning to outline the WV Turnpike toll hikes ostensibly to pay part of Gov. Justice's "roads to prosperty" borrowing program.  Legally public hearings have to be held, but, of course, nothing said there is considered.  Final approval will be in June, apparently to go into effect in January.  The news story I got had some gaps in it.

Standard car cash tolls will double from $2 to $4 per booth and from .40 to .80 for the US 19/Corridor L connector (this is the only ramp that is tolled, unlike most other toll roads the turnpike ended "side tolls" decades ago at legislative direction).  This means a round trip for the whole road will $24 and those using the Corridor L to I-77 system (the direct way from Toronto, Buffalo, Pittsburgh to Florida) round trip would be $9.60. 

It is not clear from the article if other rates are also doubling, but I assume they are.  Currently an RV is $2.50 booth and .80 for the ramp, and 18 wheeler is $6.75 and $1.60.

This is very much a "soak the strangers" program, as two discounts will be offered.  The current discount for using a WV EZ pass transponder (other authorities' ones do not get it) cuts the current tolls to 1.30/booth and .26 for the ramp.  The article is not clear but these appear to double to 2.60 and . 52. 

But here is the big discount.  Prior to January 1, 2019 anyone (even non-residents) can buy a EZ Pass based yearly pass for special discount price $24 for three years, after which it will be $25/year.  You have the option of depositing additional funds on the account to make it be a standard EZ Pass out of state. 

At $24 for three years, and even thereafter for the standard $25/year, anyone who even passes through the state once or twice a year would be crazy to not get a pass.

Time to shunpike.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on March 09, 2021, 03:25:32 PM
...you can't for much of its length, but good luck at that.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Buck87 on March 10, 2021, 10:00:01 AM
I did the parallel backroads bypass of the middle WV turnpike toll booth once, since someone posted about it on here. It was neat to do it once, but I probably won't ever do it again (the extra time and hilly/windy nature of the road wasn't worth the money saved IMO)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on March 10, 2021, 01:53:21 PM
I did the parallel backroads bypass of the middle WV turnpike toll booth once, since someone posted about it on here. It was neat to do it once, but I probably won't ever do it again (the extra time and hilly/windy nature of the road wasn't worth the money saved IMO)

I drove the entire length of the parallel roads between Cabin Creek and Beckley once, just for fun. The middle portion of the route is indeed narrow and curvy, but the actual bypasses of the two toll plazas aren't too bad. Some improvements have been made to the portion between Mossy and Pax, probably because so many vehicles do use it as a bypass., I think there are truck prohibitions posted.

...you can't for much of its length, but good luck at that.

Actually, it's not that hard to do. If you're going south, exit at Chelyan and use either WV 61, or US 60 and WV 16, to connect with US 19 in Fayetteville or Oak Hill. And with the addition of the East Beckley Bypass, it's easier than ever to bypass the toll ramp where Corridor L meets the turnpike.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on April 09, 2021, 07:50:35 AM
Speed limit to be lowered on Interstate 77 by the end of April from 70 MPH to 60 MPH permanently between MM 20 and MM 27.

https://www.bdtonline.com/news/changes-arriving-on-i--more-patrols-lower-speed-limit/article_9fbbafd8-5fea-11e9-bac9-4b5e5937bf56.html
And two years later, common sense has prevailed, and it’s going right back to 70 mph.

Speed limit change to I-77 in Mercer County (https://wvva.com/2021/04/08/speed-limit-change-to-i-77-in-mercer-county/)
Quote
MERCER COUNTY, W.v. (WVVA) -- Drivers may have noticed some recent changes along the West Virginia turnpike.

Between mile marker 20 and 28, between Campcreek and Flattop, the speed limit has been changed from 60 miles per hour to 70. The limit was originally reduced to 60 due to the high number of accidents along that stretch of road.

With the help of three positive speed studies and the addition of new safety equipment, like new guard rails and lighted chevron signs, the West Virginia highway authorities have deemed it safe to raise the limit.

"The studies essentially said that 85% of motorists would typically drive between 70 and 74 miles, regardless of what the posted speed limit is," said Jeff Miller, the parkway authorities executive director."Whether it's 60 or whether it's 70. So within that positive report, we determined that often times a motorist that may be adhering to that speed limit, when everyone else is driving a higher rate of speed around them, that it would actually be in our best interest."

The D.O.H. will make adjustments as they see necessary, but Miller says that the new speed change is permanent for the time being.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: VTGoose on April 09, 2021, 10:11:15 AM

the new speed change is permanent for the time being.

Nice way to leave an out for future speed changes -- "for the time being" pretty much negates "permanent" in that sentence.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on April 13, 2021, 10:09:17 AM
Based on recent drives, the downhill segment on that steep grade isn't that much different than Interstate 64 at Sandstone Mountain where the speed limit is 70 MPH with a truck speed limit of 45 MPH. The Turnpike at Flattop carries more traffic but it's not that much different of a design that would warrant a sharp reduction in the speed limit.

Also - 60 MPH going uphill is very much different than 60 MPH downhill. I was cruising uphill at 75 MPH and was being lapped; downhill, not so much.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on April 19, 2021, 10:47:15 AM
Unbelievable! DOH must lower Camp Creek speed limit (https://www.bdtonline.com/opinion/unbelievable-doh-must-lower-camp-creek-speed-limit/article_236e2464-9fe0-11eb-9ac7-17c446f45276.html)
Quote
Just when you thought it was safe to travel on the West Virginia Turnpike again, the safety of motorists is now threatened by an asinine decision to increase the speed limit along a notoriously dangerous eight-mile stretch of the toll road in Mercer County.

With no advance warning to the public or the press, the state Department of Transportation inexplicably moved last week to increase the speed limit to 70 mph at Camp Creek. And the West Virginia Parkways Authority, the agency charged with overseeing the 88-mile turnpike, is apparently OK with this dangerous decision.

Unbelievable!

This is the same section of I-77 at Camp Creek where 12 lives were lost between 2016 and 2018, including four members of the Gilley family from North Carolina. Of those 12 total fatalities, nine involved tractor-trailers in that area, where a steep hill and sharp curve make travel particularly treacherous.

But even before 2016, this menacing stretch of the turnpike was a common location for crashes, many of which have been fatal over the years.

Common sense dictates that motorists should slow down and drive with extreme caution at Camp Creek.

That’s why the Daily Telegraph, and the Gilley family, fought so hard two years ago to get the speed limit lowered at Camp Creek, along with the implementation of other safety measures in the area. In addition to having the speed limit lowered to 60 mph, new guardrails were erected in the median and two flashing chevron warning lights were installed at the top of the steep hill and in the middle near the curve to warn motorists of the dangers ahead.

But now, without any regard to public safety or consideration for the families of those who have lost loved ones at Camp Creek, the state has inexplicably opted to raise the speed limit at Camp Creek back to 70 mph.

This unconscionable decision is a direct affront to common sense and a threat to the safety of motorists traveling on I-77.

It’s a move that simply defies logic.

Equally disappointing is the fact that no one from the Parkways Authority board is protesting this move, including local authority members Mike Vinciguerra of Bluefield and Bill Seaver of Princeton.

Have Vinciguerra and Seaver already forgotten about all of the lives that have been lost on I-77 at Camp Creek over the years?

We demand the Department of Transportation to take immediate steps to reverse this horrific decision.

Lower the speed limit at Camp Creek back down to 60 mph before more lives are lost.

No more debate. No more studies. Just lower the speed.
But wasn't the reason they chose to increase it back to 70 mph because the artificial 60 mph limit was being blatantly ignored, and merely caused more of a hazard?

Backwards logic by people who think just "lowering the speed limit" will fix all the problems.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on April 19, 2021, 11:38:53 AM

Backwards logic by people who think just "lowering the speed limit" will fix all the problems.

Of course.  Science teaches us the opposite.

One thing to remember is that the Turnpike has its own F-Troop of failed cops.  Most either have dark pasts that the lawyers all know about, and thus are put on random tax duty full time, so they never have to go to court or are simply screw ups the regular troopers don't want around.   They keep advocating for lower SLs to justify their existence.

However, IMHO, the SL increase was due to the retirement of the copwannabe Turnpike director and his replacement with a man with an engineering background.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on April 19, 2021, 11:58:42 AM
My recollection is that the mountain and curve in question are very adequately posted with warning/advisory signs. Anyone who ignores all that signage isn't going to pay attention to speed limit signage.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on April 19, 2021, 08:38:46 PM
Unbelievable! DOH must lower Camp Creek speed limit (https://www.bdtonline.com/opinion/unbelievable-doh-must-lower-camp-creek-speed-limit/article_236e2464-9fe0-11eb-9ac7-17c446f45276.html)
Quote
Just when you thought it was safe to travel on the West Virginia Turnpike again, the safety of motorists is now threatened by an asinine decision to increase the speed limit along a notoriously dangerous eight-mile stretch of the toll road in Mercer County.

With no advance warning to the public or the press, the state Department of Transportation inexplicably moved last week to increase the speed limit to 70 mph at Camp Creek. And the West Virginia Parkways Authority, the agency charged with overseeing the 88-mile turnpike, is apparently OK with this dangerous decision.

Unbelievable!

It figures.  The folks at the bottom of the mountain are still complaining about what the folks at the top of mountain do.   
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 27, 2021, 04:51:03 PM
I drove much of WV Route 10 between WV Route 16 near Mullens and US Route 19 near Princeton - a distance of around 26 miles, and it's smooth as glass after a much needed rehabilitation. It appears that the roadway surface was either repaved or rebuilt and all of the bridges have been extensively renovated as part of a Governor Justice Roads to Prosperity project.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on April 27, 2021, 07:52:36 PM
I drove much of WV Route 10 between WV Route 16 near Mullens and US Route 19 near Princeton - a distance of around 26 miles, and it's smooth as glass after a much needed rehabilitation. It appears that the roadway surface was either repaved or rebuilt and all of the bridges have been extensively renovated as part of a Governor Justice Roads to Prosperity project.

They excavated the existing gravel shoulders, replaced them with concrete, then repaved to widen the lanes and provide a narrow paved shoulder.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: VTGoose on April 28, 2021, 10:08:27 AM
Monday was "bridge moving day" when the Wellsburg Bridge was floated from its construction site down the river to its actual location across the Ohio. See https://www.wtrf.com/brooke-county/watch-live-the-flotation-of-the-wellsburg-bridge/

Bruce in Blacksburg
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 28, 2021, 04:50:45 PM
Wow. It was 69 miles of improvements along WV Route 10: https://www.wycoreport.com/news/local_news/governor-state-doh-officials-herald-rt-10-improvements/article_f5d137c2-a198-11e9-8969-b313f184a503.html
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: ARMOURERERIC on May 06, 2021, 07:12:40 PM
Just had it hit my news feed that WVDot has awarded the 6 laning of I79 MP132-135.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 26, 2021, 05:05:39 PM
According to Wikipedia, WV-20 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia_Route_20) is the longest state road in West Virginia.  It runs from Mercer County in the south to Wetzel County in the north.

I decided to drive some of the road that I had not been on in the past, from Buckhannon to French Creek (which I drove to visit our late friend Robert) and then onto a section I had not seen before - south to Webster Springs and then more-or-less west in the direction of U.S. 19 at Summersville (Google maps here (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Buckhannon,+WV+26201/Webster+Springs,+West+Virginia+26288/38.3108005,-80.832345/@38.8107278,-80.3998715,12.87z/data=!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0x884a53c736332b9f:0x2b9779840db44282!2m2!1d-80.2320276!2d38.9939872!1m5!1m1!1s0x884b93a85f794ad3:0xd01ae2b5d6c82dd!2m2!1d-80.4134157!2d38.4792749!1m0!3e0)).

I cannot recall being on a more curvy segment of road in the United States - especially for a road that is considered a primary state highway - between Rock Cave (junction WV-4) and Craigsville (where WV-20 turns
south and the wandering WV-55 takes over to continue to the west). 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on July 26, 2021, 09:13:31 PM
That route is tame compared to some of the other routes in West Virginia. That hill on the south side of Webster Springs is a doozy.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 26, 2021, 10:33:46 PM
That route is tame compared to some of the other routes in West Virginia. That hill on the south side of Webster Springs is a doozy.

I have driven a fair amount in West Virginia (but have not been to all of her counties -  yet - but have not been on a primary system road with as many curves.  U.S. 50 between I-79 and the border between Preston County, W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. has a lot of steep grades and curves, but not like that part of WV-20.

The grades on WV-20 are indeed something not seen that often in the East in road that is considered a primary system highway - the one approaching town from the north is rather sneaky (the hairpin turn is not until arriving in town) and not as obvious, but the ones south of town, with the two 180° hairpin turns and then a less-sharp curve near the top of the grade are quite impressive.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 26, 2021, 10:37:16 PM
My recollection is that the mountain and curve in question are very adequately posted with warning/advisory signs. Anyone who ignores all that signage isn't going to pay attention to speed limit signage.

Is the signage similar to I-64 eastbound east of Beckley, with that long (and steep for an Interstate) descent from Sandstone Mountain down to the New River?  That grade (with the mandatory truck brake check near the top) is quite impressive by Appalachian standards.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on July 26, 2021, 10:37:22 PM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on July 26, 2021, 10:40:11 PM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.
It's because they are in the mountains!
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Roadgeekteen on July 26, 2021, 11:45:50 PM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.
It's because they are in the mountains!
Is this a problem in other mountainous states?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: tolbs17 on July 27, 2021, 04:49:10 AM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.
It's because they are in the mountains!
Is this a problem in other mountainous states?
Western North Carolina.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 27, 2021, 06:24:02 AM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

The nature of the terrain in most West Virginia counties explains a lot of it.  But that segment of WV-20 goes well beyond squiggly.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.

Which part of U.S. 33?  I have not driven any of it west of Weston, but all of it between I-81 in Virginia and Weston, and the crossing of North Mountain (the Va./W.Va. state line is near the ridgecrest) is quite steep, and there are quite a few steep grades between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section east of Elkins.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on July 27, 2021, 09:13:03 AM
Which part of U.S. 33?  I have not driven any of it west of Weston, but all of it between I-81 in Virginia and Weston, and the crossing of North Mountain (the Va./W.Va. state line is near the ridgecrest) is quite steep, and there are quite a few steep grades between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section east of Elkins.

I don't think that there's any passing lanes on US-33 between Ripley and Weston.  Back in my day, that section did have some very short passing lanes and was much more curvy.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 27, 2021, 11:27:17 AM
Which part of U.S. 33?  I have not driven any of it west of Weston, but all of it between I-81 in Virginia and Weston, and the crossing of North Mountain (the Va./W.Va. state line is near the ridgecrest) is quite steep, and there are quite a few steep grades between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section east of Elkins.

I don't think that there's any passing lanes on US-33 between Ripley and Weston.  Back in my day, that section did have some very short passing lanes and was much more curvy.

U.S. 33 has some of those joke-like passing lanes between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section approaching Elkins.  They are really little more than pull-offs if a driver notices  a long line of vehicles behind him while climbing those mountain grades.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 27, 2021, 11:47:29 AM
Those are turnouts and can be really beneficial for trucks that are practically crawling up hills, and where turning lanes just can't be fit in without extensive work. US 33 doesn't really have -that- much truck traffic to justify more climbing lanes and will probably have less once US 48 is fully complete in the state.

Did you notice the extensive concrete work east of Buchhannon? They are doing major base repairs and diamond grinding sections; closer to Elkins, they are asphalting over previously asphalted-then-removed sections.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 27, 2021, 12:46:20 PM
Those are turnouts and can be really beneficial for trucks that are practically crawling up hills, and where turning lanes just can't be fit in without extensive work. US 33 doesn't really have -that- much truck traffic to justify more climbing lanes and will probably have less once US 48 is fully complete in the state.

Agree on all points.  And probably even less truck traffic on U.S. 33 if ADHS Corridor H is completed all the way from I-79 to I-81.

Did you notice the extensive concrete work east of Buchhannon? They are doing major base repairs and diamond grinding sections; closer to Elkins, they are asphalting over previously asphalted-then-removed sections.

Yes, I saw all of that around the signalized intersection where U.S. 250 and WV-92 tie in to Corridor H near Norton.  Wish that WVDOT would get rid of the signals here and on the northwest side of Elkins at the other connection with WV-92.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on July 27, 2021, 03:48:37 PM
Those are turnouts and can be really beneficial for trucks that are practically crawling up hills, and where turning lanes just can't be fit in without extensive work. US 33 doesn't really have -that- much truck traffic to justify more climbing lanes and will probably have less once US 48 is fully complete in the state.

Agree on all points.  And probably even less truck traffic on U.S. 33 if ADHS Corridor H is completed all the way from I-79 to I-81.

Those truck turnouts (how they're signed) do get a decent amount of use on US 33. They're not intended for normal passing, but for situations with log trucks and other large vehicles that are crawling.

My experience has been that US 33 generally flows OK east of Elkins. Some passing lanes on the straight-ish parts around Evenwood (https://goo.gl/maps/xusbM7b8H8AdLMtUA) and Laurel Fork/Rich Mountain western approach (https://goo.gl/maps/U1S7WYnzneXVAfsn7) would be nice but there's generally enough of a gap in traffic you can pass, and the grades coming down to Laurel Fork help with providing momentum.

Did you notice the extensive concrete work east of Buchhannon? They are doing major base repairs and diamond grinding sections; closer to Elkins, they are asphalting over previously asphalted-then-removed sections.

Yes, I saw all of that around the signalized intersection where U.S. 250 and WV-92 tie in to Corridor H near Norton.  Wish that WVDOT would get rid of the signals here and on the northwest side of Elkins at the other connection with WV-92.

The concrete around the western US 33/US 250 intersection was rubblized. WVDOT posted a video on their social media earlier this year.

At one point, WVDOH had an interchange for the western US 33/US 250 intersection on their unfunded project wishlist. The signal at the eastern WV 92 intersection by Aggregates is more recent; at least with when I traveled, I experienced less delay when there was a stop sign pulling out here than now with the signal.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on July 27, 2021, 07:06:45 PM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

The nature of the terrain in most West Virginia counties explains a lot of it.  But that segment of WV-20 goes well beyond squiggly.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.

Which part of U.S. 33?  I have not driven any of it west of Weston, but all of it between I-81 in Virginia and Weston, and the crossing of North Mountain (the Va./W.Va. state line is near the ridgecrest) is quite steep, and there are quite a few steep grades between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section east of Elkins.
This trip, just between WV 32 and Spruce Knob.

Also wonder about WV 72 in terms of squigglyness.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on July 27, 2021, 09:46:19 PM
HB is right, though.   Lots of squiggly roads in WV.

The nature of the terrain in most West Virginia counties explains a lot of it.  But that segment of WV-20 goes well beyond squiggly.

Heck, I just got stuck behind a lumber truck coming down US 33 in a reduced grade area today.  Thank goodness the other lane was clear when a passing zone came up.

Which part of U.S. 33?  I have not driven any of it west of Weston, but all of it between I-81 in Virginia and Weston, and the crossing of North Mountain (the Va./W.Va. state line is near the ridgecrest) is quite steep, and there are quite a few steep grades between Seneca Rocks and the "racetrack" section east of Elkins.

Also wonder about WV 72 in terms of squigglyness.

WV 72 south (east) of Hendricks is a bit twisty once you get away from Dry Fork, but the main reason it's signed for no trucks is that it's only 1-car wide for a significant stretch so if a semi went down it, there wouldn't be any room for a vehicle to pass.

I'm not a fan of ending state routes at points other than other state routes, but I'd make an exception for WV 72. The part between Hendricks and WV 32 has no business being signed as a primary route.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on July 28, 2021, 09:31:09 AM
WV 72 south (east) of Hendricks is a bit twisty once you get away from Dry Fork, but the main reason it's signed for no trucks is that it's only 1-car wide for a significant stretch so if a semi went down it, there wouldn't be any room for a vehicle to pass.

I agree.  And I think it is sufficiently remote that there are not too many trucks trying to use it.

I'm not a fan of ending state routes at points other than other state routes, but I'd make an exception for WV 72. The part between Hendricks and WV 72 has no business being signed as a primary route.

I agree.  I am baffled why this was ever a primary system route to begin with.  Maybe WVDOH will demote it to a "county" route once Corridor H is complete between Parsons and Davis?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on July 28, 2021, 11:08:17 AM
WV 72 south (east) of Hendricks is a bit twisty once you get away from Dry Fork, but the main reason it's signed for no trucks is that it's only 1-car wide for a significant stretch so if a semi went down it, there wouldn't be any room for a vehicle to pass.

I agree.  And I think it is sufficiently remote that there are not too many trucks trying to use it.

I'm not a fan of ending state routes at points other than other state routes, but I'd make an exception for WV 72. The part between Hendricks and WV 72 has no business being signed as a primary route.

I agree.  I am baffled why this was ever a primary system route to begin with.  Maybe WVDOH will demote it to a "county" route once Corridor H is complete between Parsons and Davis?

West Virginia: 1.) Doesn't like to have incorporated towns/cities not on the primary route system; and 2.) Doesn't "dead end" state primary routes and have them continue as state secondary ("county') routes the way Virginia does.

So, to get a primary route to Hendricks, WV 72 had to continue on to end at another state route in keeping with that precedent.

The only other really comparable WV primary route is WV 71 north of Montcalm to its terminus at WV 10.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on July 28, 2021, 11:57:48 AM
WV 72 has an odd history.

WV 72's south end was Hendricks from 1928 to the late 1940s.  It's north end was the town of Rowlesburg from 1930 to the mid 1940s.

After being extended to the length it has now, it was decommissioned between US 219 and US 50 by 1949, then in stages was brought back into the primary system throughout the 1950s.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on July 31, 2021, 01:47:27 PM
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve signed.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1421166825014976514

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Rothman on July 31, 2021, 04:24:12 PM
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve signed.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1421166825014976514
Saw the new welcome sign at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center this past Tuesday.

Really don't know what the site is preserving.  It still operates like a National Recreation Area.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on July 31, 2021, 08:54:27 PM
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve signed.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1421166825014976514
Saw the new welcome sign at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center this past Tuesday.

Really don't know what the site is preserving.  It still operates like a National Recreation Area.

New River Gorge was a National River before. Gauley River is the one that is a National Recreation Area.

The National Park and Preserve designation comes from different uses for different parts of the NPS land. A handful of areas (mostly around the New River Gorge Bridge, Thurmond, and a couple other spots) are treated as National Park with all of the associated restrictions. The preserve designation applies to most of the gorge and allows things like hunting, which is banning in the park area.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: ARMOURERERIC on July 31, 2021, 09:32:24 PM
So I was coming back from Pittsburgh  to hickory yesterday, saw the US 52 work.  Where will the new endpoint be.  Will 52 be rerouted as to connect North of Bluefield.  Are their even the earliest inkling of the current work being extended.  I saw that the old graded ramps at 460 have asphalt paving and new lighting fixtures  are installed.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on July 31, 2021, 09:41:06 PM
So, WVDOT fabricates and installs their own panel signs? Kentucky uses contractors. (And probably would have set new posts instead of reusing the old ones.)

And it looks like West Virginia didn't go back to Clearview like Kentucky did when the IA got reinstated.

So I was coming back from Pittsburgh  to hickory yesterday, saw the US 52 work.  Where will the new endpoint be.  Will 52 be rerouted as to connect North of Bluefield.  Are their even the earliest inkling of the current work being extended.  I saw that the old graded ramps at 460 have asphalt paving and new lighting fixtures  are installed.

The work extends to WV 123 over on the other side of two ridgelines. I was up there a few weeks ago and it looks like some of the grade will extend beyond the bridge crossing WV 123, but I saw no signs (yet) of an access road being built between US 52 and US 123.

I have some photos on my Flickr page.

I'm not sure if US 52 will remain on its current alignment (short concurrency with US 460, then along Cumberland Road, and then turning down into downtown Bluefield, then a short wrong-way concurrency with US 19) with the new alignment getting some temporary state or county designation, or if US 52 will be routed over the new alignment and then concurrent with WV 123 to the existing US 52 intersection northwest of Bluefield.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on August 01, 2021, 09:50:43 AM
So, WVDOT fabricates and installs their own panel signs? Kentucky uses contractors. (And probably would have set new posts instead of reusing the old ones.)

And it looks like West Virginia didn't go back to Clearview like Kentucky did when the IA got reinstated.

WVDOH handles one-off replacements in-house. Large-scale projects, like the miles-long signage replacements on the Interstates and ARC corridors, are contracted out.

WV only went to Clearview on contractor-done signage. In-house production was always FHWA alphabet. WV has stayed with FHWA, even with contractor-installed signage, following reinstatement of Clearview.

So I was coming back from Pittsburgh  to hickory yesterday, saw the US 52 work.  Where will the new endpoint be.  Will 52 be rerouted as to connect North of Bluefield.  Are their even the earliest inkling of the current work being extended.  I saw that the old graded ramps at 460 have asphalt paving and new lighting fixtures  are installed.

The work extends to WV 123 over on the other side of two ridgelines. I was up there a few weeks ago and it looks like some of the grade will extend beyond the bridge crossing WV 123, but I saw no signs (yet) of an access road being built between US 52 and US 123.

I have some photos on my Flickr page.

I'm not sure if US 52 will remain on its current alignment (short concurrency with US 460, then along Cumberland Road, and then turning down into downtown Bluefield, then a short wrong-way concurrency with US 19) with the new alignment getting some temporary state or county designation, or if US 52 will be routed over the new alignment and then concurrent with WV 123 to the existing US 52 intersection northwest of Bluefield.

I think the plan is to re-route US 52 along WV 123 once this is complete.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: cpzilliacus on August 20, 2021, 02:04:17 PM
Herald-Mail: Concerns grow over how to fund road improvements in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle (https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/08/19/west-virginia-division-highways-highlights-eastern-panhandle-work/8187333002/)

Quote
It's the age-old problem with roads in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.

Quote
Not enough money for them coupled with increasing traffic makes for some worrisome times.

Quote
Case in point: W.Va. 9 west from Martinsburg to Hedgesville.

Quote
Berkeley County Council member Eddie Gochenour told state highway officials at a meeting Wednesday about how a crash on the two-lane road can back up traffic for miles.

Quote
The gathering was part of open meetings state highway officials are holding across West Virginia to update communities about road projects. State lawmakers, members of the media and others were invited to meet with highway officials at a highways office on Old Leetown Pike north of Charles Town for the local session.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: snowc on November 17, 2021, 10:22:20 AM
https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/ (https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/)
^ Link above is paywalled.  :banghead:
Possible Spur route of I81, along with public transit?  :hmmm:
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 18, 2021, 09:34:44 PM
https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/ (https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/)
^ Link above is paywalled.  :banghead:
Possible Spur route of I81, along with public transit?  :hmmm:

WVDOH isn't building any spurs of I-81, and the state isn't going to pony up for more transit options to DC either. It's been hard enough to get money to maintain the existing MARC service to the Eastern Panhandle.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: snowc on November 19, 2021, 08:20:11 AM
https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/ (https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/11/17/more-transit-options-could-come-washington-and-berkeley-counties-maryland-west-virginia/8622823002/)
^ Link above is paywalled.  :banghead:
Possible Spur route of I81, along with public transit?  :hmmm:

WVDOH isn't building any spurs of I-81, and the state isn't going to pony up for more transit options to DC either. It's been hard enough to get money to maintain the existing MARC service to the Eastern Panhandle.
And thats why I-181 will never be existent on the WV-9 freeway.  :no: :banghead:
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on November 22, 2021, 09:39:26 AM
WV Turnpike tolls will go up to a whopping $4.25/ per booth, with the annual pass going from $25 to $26.50, January 1st. 

Law allows a 5% increase every 3 years.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on November 22, 2021, 10:29:24 AM
So, was the prediction that the new portion of US 52 near Bluefield would be open by this time accurate, or was it (as I expected) full of beans?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on November 23, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
So, was the prediction that the new portion of US 52 near Bluefield would be open by this time accurate, or was it (as I expected) full of beans?

I've not seen any announcements of ribbon-cuttings, or really any discussion period. My guess is it's still a ways off.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on November 24, 2021, 04:09:00 PM
Saw where the widening project on the WV Turnpike at Beckley is finished, and people are already complaining about the pavement being rough.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 25, 2021, 09:49:08 AM
It's not technically finished - the final layer of pavement will be added next year. I had to drive it yesterday and found it to have six through lanes continuous in each direction with seven or eight lane segments to account for climbing lanes. Significant portions have just 4' right shoulders because of the climbing lanes which is commonplace elsewhere in the state, but some of these climbing lanes are essentially defacto extensions of the right lane which makes it an odd design choice.

Some new signage still remains to be added. Also odd that one of the new signs at the Harpers Rd. / SR 3 interchange states I-64/77 has two through lanes when it really has three.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 74/171FAN on November 25, 2021, 10:13:10 AM
I drove through the I-81 widening project between Exits 8 (CR 32) and 12  (WV 45) southbound last night, and I saw traffic having three lanes headed northbound, but I was still stuck with only two lanes headed southbound for now.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on November 25, 2021, 08:27:42 PM
It's not technically finished - the final layer of pavement will be added next year.

So they're driving on base? Happens pretty often, but WVDOT could at least have mentioned in their Facebook post announcing the completion that final paving wasn't done yet.

If we open a new road with traffic running on base, with the final paving to be done under traffic, I always make it a point to mention that so drivers will expect rough pavement.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 25, 2021, 09:43:09 PM
They are also still enforcing the 55 MPH limit through the entire work zone even though there is zero activity and no work ongoing. Saw four troopers Wednesday.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Black-Man on November 28, 2021, 10:18:19 PM
WV Turnpike tolls will go up to a whopping $4.25/ per booth, with the annual pass going from $25 to $26.50, January 1st. 

Law allows a 5% increase every 3 years.

Well... as a graduate of secondary education in West Virginia I am not surprised they couldn't figure out that a 5% increase would actually be $4.20 (and $26.25). Some things never change.

One thing they might be able to figure out, you keep charging more to drive a highway that for the most part is built on an alignment from 1955, the natives will indeed get restless.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on November 29, 2021, 10:10:54 AM
WV Turnpike tolls will go up to a whopping $4.25/ per booth, with the annual pass going from $25 to $26.50, January 1st. 

Law allows a 5% increase every 3 years.

Well... as a graduate of secondary education in West Virginia I am not surprised they couldn't figure out that a 5% increase would actually be $4.20 (and $26.25). Some things never change.

One thing they might be able to figure out, you keep charging more to drive a highway that for the most part is built on an alignment from 1955, the natives will indeed get restless.

$4.25 is rounding to the nearest quarter. The new annual pass rate is $26.25, not $26.50.

A 5% increase every three years is at or below the rate of inflation. Plenty of other toll roads have similar increases. WV's cash tolls are higher than Ohio and Indiana, but below Maryland and way below what you see in Virginia and Pennsylvania. At any rate, the toll increases have been used to back bonds so they're not going anywhere.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on November 29, 2021, 10:40:33 AM
WV Turnpike tolls will go up to a whopping $4.25/ per booth, with the annual pass going from $25 to $26.50, January 1st. 

Law allows a 5% increase every 3 years.

Well... as a graduate of secondary education in West Virginia I am not surprised they couldn't figure out that a 5% increase would actually be $4.20 (and $26.25). Some things never change.

One thing they might be able to figure out, you keep charging more to drive a highway that for the most part is built on an alignment from 1955, the natives will indeed get restless.

As bitmapped noted, they are rounded to the nearest quarter. No one wants to fumble for dimes and nickels. If you are that hurting for the extra quarter, try EZ-Pass.

But as for your second comment, there are plenty of interstates on alignments from the 1950s. Much of the infrastructure between Huntington and Charleston was built between 1958 and 1964. And for the most part, much of the infrastructure along the Turnpike was rebuilt or substantially overhauled, and looking at NBI reports, the bridges are generally in good or satisfactory condition. If you are referring to the curves - it was designed to a certain design speed for a particular era, much like any other highway that was built during that time. Over the years, segments have been straightened or rebuilt but if it isn't broke, why fix it?

The bonds being expended now serve the surrounding counties. It funded much of the (extensive) rebuilding and widening of WV 10, among many other projects. The move to de-toll the Turnpike keeps dying once legislators realize just how much money the Turnpike brings in and what it actually does for the surrounding counties whose transportation budgets are partly dependent upon its revenues.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on November 29, 2021, 11:49:18 AM
The idea of “de tolling”  the Turnpike died with the governor’s massive borrowing scheme “Roads to Prosperity”  .  Tolls must continue for more or less ever to pay for construction in other places in the state.

As to the idea that the Turnpike is not “broken” , well, yes it is.  Specifically the northern third of it was built by very limited blasting, as to not disrupt the existing two lanes.  The end result is a twisty, median-less, road with a 60 SL.  Other roads in the state, and in other states, were built over similar, or worse, topography with traditional blasting methods, resulting in much safer and higher speed roads.  The northern third of the Turnpike is essentially engineering malpractice.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on November 29, 2021, 08:41:12 PM
Imagine if WV was as allergic to full bench as Ohio.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on December 03, 2021, 11:40:22 AM
Crossposted from the KYOVA thread to here...

https://sports.yahoo.com/northern-bypass-used-push-roads-050100675.html (you know, from Yahoo Sports)

"Of the $273 million in projects dangled before voters in the run up to the Oct. 7, 2017 special election, $100 million was earmarked for a new I-79 connector, or "northern bypass, " which would provide an alternative to the congested portions of W.Va. 705 and Monongahela Boulevard and access a new interchange on I-79, north of the existing Exit 155.

Roughly 80 % of Monongalia County voters supported the constitutional amendment allowing for the sale of up to $1.6 billion in bonds for road repair and construction.

The first red flag went up in August 2020, when the project was pulled from the Roads to Prosperity line-up as it wouldn't be ready in time for bonding. Instead, it would be the target of federal transportation dollars."

I learned something new about the project today.

Gosh, this has been needed since the "new" Mountaineer Field first opened in 1980.  I was disappointed that the DOH took the short route to connect the Mon-Fayette to I-68 when they desperately needed a new route across the northern part of Morgantown to relieve both Mountaineer Field traffic and provide northeast access to the Coliseum and the Evansdale Campus.

On a similar note, it still amazes me that much of the main access to Mountaineer Field isn't designated with a state route number.  I always thought the DOH should have multiplexed the WV-705 designation with US-119 along the Mileground and then continue on Cheat Road (LSR-857) to the Pierpont Road exit (Exit 7 of I-68).  At least these days the signs are marked "To WV-705".
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 30, 2021, 06:26:44 PM
I wasn't aware that they are now planning to replace the 60+ year old I-64 bridge over the Kanawha River at Nitro. I thought they were only going to build the new westbound span and leave the original eastbound span intact.

WVDOH to open new St. Albans entrance and exit ramps on Thursday as part of I-64 widening project
 (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/WVDOH_to_open_new_St_Albans_entrance_and_exit_ramps_on_Thursday_as_part_of_I-64_widening_project.aspx)


New westbound entrance and exit ramps for the St. Albans exit of Interstate 64 are scheduled to open to traffic by the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, the West Virginia Division of Highways announced. The ramps are part of a massive widening project on I-64 funded through Gov. Jim Justice's $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program.
 
The new ramps are part of a $224 million project to widen I-64 to six lanes from Nitro to the US 35 interchange near Scott Depot. The project also includes construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing Nitro-St. Albans Bridge and replacing several smaller bridges between Nitro and Scott Depot.
 
Site work and construction on the project began in earnest in the spring of 2021 and required massive excavation and earth work. Contractors began blasting in the area over the summer.
 
The new westbound St. Albans interchange replaces the existing single bridge with two new bridges, one for traffic entering I-64 and the other for traffic getting off I-64. The new westbound entrance ramp bridge is 339 feet long, while the exit ramp bridge is 167 feet long.
 
Contractors were completing guardrail installation and striping work during the days leading up to opening the new ramps.

New eastbound and westbound bridges at Bills Creek opened to traffic in early December. Widening plans also include replacing bridges at Rocky Step, McCloud and at Nitro over WV 25.

Two new piers for the main Nitro-St. Albans bridge are nearly complete.

Plans call for building a new bridge just downstream of the existing Nitro-St. Albans Bridge to carry westbound traffic, then demolishing the existing bridge and replacing it with a new span using a portion of the existing bridge piers to carry eastbound traffic. Each new bridge will be four lanes wide to allow motorists to go from the St. Albans exit to the Nitro exist and from the Nitro exit to the St. Albans exit without having to merge into interstate traffic.

The entire project is expected to be complete in late 2024.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on December 31, 2021, 07:42:25 AM
The article is talking about the replacement of the single bridge over I 64 that is a part of the St. Albans interchange, westbound, with two bridges.  The current mainline bridge will be rehabbed and converted into eastbound only, with a twin constructed for westbound. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on December 31, 2021, 11:47:52 AM
The article is talking about the replacement of the single bridge over I 64 that is a part of the St. Albans interchange, westbound, with two bridges.  The current mainline bridge will be rehabbed and converted into eastbound only, with a twin constructed for westbound. 

The next to last paragraph talks about the Nitro-St. Albans I-64 bridge.

Quote
Plans call for building a new bridge just downstream of the existing Nitro-St. Albans Bridge to carry westbound traffic, then demolishing the existing bridge and replacing it with a new span using a portion of the existing bridge piers to carry eastbound traffic. Each new bridge will be four lanes wide to allow motorists to go from the St. Albans exit to the Nitro exist and from the Nitro exit to the St. Albans exit without having to merge into interstate traffic.

This had me scratching my head as well, so I checked out the project website last night https://nitro64.com and it seemed to be a bit vague on the project outline as well.  There are photos of current construction, but no type of sketches of what the finished product over the river will look like.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Tom958 on December 31, 2021, 12:15:30 PM
The article is talking about the replacement of the single bridge over I 64 that is a part of the St. Albans interchange, westbound, with two bridges.  The current mainline bridge will be rehabbed and converted into eastbound only, with a twin constructed for westbound.

I don't think so. To me it appears that the existing straight bridge over I-64 will be replaced by two curved ones, as shown in the photo accompanying the article and also on Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/e1pa715yL4kMxzvW9). The existing bridge could be retained in case they want to blast through that ridge to the northeast someday.

(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/MNlo8tQIs0XcKUa13H5k7pg6q94yOgdi65LCHmNQeis6phu7GEGjDGIK0oXsY-bSwluRUXdWin-xGYMf8RzjyuHakStKzsE6sKpJBH-gWpew6Eqp9a22iF9lt7ooiDUs3nwg3AZDEXsD-rbVPVypiSzqmapTzA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/b217d89e-1aae-0d0d-6344-cf936925104a.jpg)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on December 31, 2021, 01:52:48 PM
The article is talking about the replacement of the single bridge over I 64 that is a part of the St. Albans interchange, westbound, with two bridges.  The current mainline bridge will be rehabbed and converted into eastbound only, with a twin constructed for westbound.

I don't think so. To me it appears that the existing straight bridge over I-64 will be replaced by two curved ones, as shown in the photo accompanying the article and also on Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/e1pa715yL4kMxzvW9). The existing bridge could be retained in case they want to blast through that ridge to the northeast someday.

(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/MNlo8tQIs0XcKUa13H5k7pg6q94yOgdi65LCHmNQeis6phu7GEGjDGIK0oXsY-bSwluRUXdWin-xGYMf8RzjyuHakStKzsE6sKpJBH-gWpew6Eqp9a22iF9lt7ooiDUs3nwg3AZDEXsD-rbVPVypiSzqmapTzA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/b217d89e-1aae-0d0d-6344-cf936925104a.jpg)

The existing mainline bridge over the Kanawha River will be rehabbed to serve eastbound traffic. A twin is being built for westbound traffic.

The green bridge pictured above at the St. Albans interchange is being removed. Its span isn't wide enough to accommodate 6 lanes for I-64 underneath without eliminating shoulders. It is being replaced with the two curved ramps which will eliminate the existing stop sign for the I-64 WB onramp.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on December 31, 2021, 02:12:17 PM
The article is talking about the replacement of the single bridge over I 64 that is a part of the St. Albans interchange, westbound, with two bridges.  The current mainline bridge will be rehabbed and converted into eastbound only, with a twin constructed for westbound.

I don't think so. To me it appears that the existing straight bridge over I-64 will be replaced by two curved ones, as shown in the photo accompanying the article and also on Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/e1pa715yL4kMxzvW9). The existing bridge could be retained in case they want to blast through that ridge to the northeast someday.

(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/MNlo8tQIs0XcKUa13H5k7pg6q94yOgdi65LCHmNQeis6phu7GEGjDGIK0oXsY-bSwluRUXdWin-xGYMf8RzjyuHakStKzsE6sKpJBH-gWpew6Eqp9a22iF9lt7ooiDUs3nwg3AZDEXsD-rbVPVypiSzqmapTzA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/b217d89e-1aae-0d0d-6344-cf936925104a.jpg)

I think they’re doing all the blasting they care to in order to plow the new 64 westbound bridge and lanes through.  That’s a pretty tall hillside as it is.  If somebody wanted to go up in that direction, I’m sure there is access from either WV 817 itself or from US 35 a couple of miles west of here.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Tom958 on December 31, 2021, 02:34:25 PM
I think they’re doing all the blasting they care to in order to plow the new 64 westbound bridge and lanes through.  That’s a pretty tall hillside as it is.  If somebody wanted to go up in that direction, I’m sure there is access from either WV 817 itself or from US 35 a couple of miles west of here.

There's no reason to cross that hill. Also, I'm being dumb: the new westbound-to-southbound bridge is at the same elevation as the old bridge, and the new bridges span the future new westbound roadway, which the old bridge obstructs. Of course the old bridge will be removed.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 31, 2021, 03:48:02 PM
Right - this will become a free-flowing interchange. Traffic often backed up to the mainline with traffic waiting to turn onto the access road down to WV 817.

I do find it odd that there are no sketches or renderings of the new bridge over the Kanawha. The new westbound river piers aren't any further apart than the eastbound river piers (I have photos still to post).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: CanesFan27 on December 31, 2021, 04:25:48 PM
When the Bureau of Public Roads authorized the southward extension of Interstate 79 into West Virginia in October 1961, the prevailing wisdom was that 79 would follow US 19 all the way to Beckley and the WV Turnpike.  However, behind the scenes, the head of the State Road Commission - Burl Sawyers - quietly changed  79's routing to end in Charleston.

The story behind I-79's move from Beckley to Charleston is now up at the blog.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/interstate-79-to-beckley-wv-it-was.html
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on December 31, 2021, 06:32:21 PM
Interesting perspective Adam.

"Beckley's population has slowly declined from 20,000 in 1980 to just over 17,000 in 2020.  Beckley would have been an intersection of the East Coast (and Port of Norfolk) and a direct line to the Midwest (Interstate 77) and Western Pennsylvania/Western New York (Interstate 79).  Beckley easily would be a distribution hub in modern times."

I'm not sure an additional interstate would have made much of a difference. Beckley remains a regional commercial center but its population (and fortunes) are directly tied to the fortunes of its surrounding communities, many of which are in long-term decline because they were all essentially coal camps or company towns. Once that mined closed, the surrounding community will slowly dwindle. Some of the stronger communities in the area are stable because of their relation to US 19 and the interstates: Beckley is the regional commercial center, but Fayetteville is all but tourist-oriented and stable. Oak Hill is becoming the second tourist-oriented community for the area as Fayetteville has all but been filled out and gotten pretty costly. Beckley is too far from New River to tap into that activity for now, although it is pushing for new and enhanced connections to New River National Park and Preserve through new trailheads and facilities at Piney Creek.

There is also a lack of large-scale land for development at Beckley, although I guess additional hills could be moved for distribution centers. The state so far hasn't been a huge draw for those types of developments; it's too far away from the eastern seaboard and too far away from major north-south routes (think of the concentrations along Interstates 65/75 in Kentucky).

I'm not sure an interstate these days would be pushed for in the Beckley-Summersville area. US 19 works just fine for the most part, although those signals between New River and Beckley will need to be eliminated in the long term. It's also great that the state can close down New River Gorge Bridge for Bridge Day, which I'm sure wouldn't be possible if it was Interstate 79. And many of those pull-offs are great places to access rock climbing routes and swimming holes (I can vouch for just pulling off the road in many areas for just that).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on December 31, 2021, 10:19:42 PM
https://nitro64.com

Totally sounds like an early Nintendo 64 emulator.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on December 31, 2021, 10:31:05 PM
Interesting perspective Adam.

"Beckley's population has slowly declined from 20,000 in 1980 to just over 17,000 in 2020.  Beckley would have been an intersection of the East Coast (and Port of Norfolk) and a direct line to the Midwest (Interstate 77) and Western Pennsylvania/Western New York (Interstate 79).  Beckley easily would be a distribution hub in modern times."

I'm not sure an additional interstate would have made much of a difference. Beckley remains a regional commercial center but its population (and fortunes) are directly tied to the fortunes of its surrounding communities, many of which are in long-term decline because they were all essentially coal camps or company towns. Once that mined closed, the surrounding community will slowly dwindle. Some of the stronger communities in the area are stable because of their relation to US 19 and the interstates: Beckley is the regional commercial center, but Fayetteville is all but tourist-oriented and stable. Oak Hill is becoming the second tourist-oriented community for the area as Fayetteville has all but been filled out and gotten pretty costly. Beckley is too far from New River to tap into that activity for now, although it is pushing for new and enhanced connections to New River National Park and Preserve through new trailheads and facilities at Piney Creek.

There is also a lack of large-scale land for development at Beckley, although I guess additional hills could be moved for distribution centers. The state so far hasn't been a huge draw for those types of developments; it's too far away from the eastern seaboard and too far away from major north-south routes (think of the concentrations along Interstates 65/75 in Kentucky).


Those hills are murder for distribution center project cost. So many of today's buildings are 500,000-1.2 million square feet. That's minimum 40 acres with support structures such as parking. As everyone in this thread is aware, finding 40 flat acres that's not in a flood plain in most of WV is very difficult (Eastern Panhandle is your best shot and guess what it has a lot of warehouses near I-81) including Beckley. The math just goes away with all that grading and blasting. I wonder how the "new" East Huntington Wal-Mart from 2005's payback period was affected by all the grading and blasting I observed from my old apartment at a site that didn't really seem all that bad... but required way more earthmoving than I expected once I saw it finished. No way could Beckley approximate Rickenbacker or Florence for warehouse development despite the freeway connections. And how is the rail?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on January 01, 2022, 10:05:12 AM
Right - this will become a free-flowing interchange. Traffic often backed up to the mainline with traffic waiting to turn onto the access road down to WV 817.

Was this happening in recent years, or do you remember that far back in time?  When I-64 first opened, traffic exiting from I-64 westbound onto Exit 44 (then WV-17) were required to stop before turning left onto the access road.  By the mid-1970s, rush hour westbound traffic would back up onto mainline I-64 and sometimes even block the right lane on the Green Bridge.  That was occurring even though there was hardly any traffic from (by then) US-35 to westbound I-64, but rather the accordion effect of a steady stream of traffic stopping one car at a time.  (Because of the close proximity to the Green Bridge, that off-ramp is fairly short).

If I recall correctly, the DOH changed that back in the late 1970s and placed the stop sign for traffic turning left from the access road to westbound I-64 (which is the least active movement on the interchange).  But for many years, non-locals still got confused and stopped at the left turn onto the access road (treating this as an All-Way Stop with the stop sign missing).  I don't ever recall any signage to instruct exit traffic to continue without stopping.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on January 01, 2022, 10:23:11 AM
More recently but I think it was just because of the very slow turn that was required that made traffic queue.

@GCrites80s: And think of the surcharge that would be required just to settle the earth! (And think of the surcharge that wasn't done on US 35...)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on January 01, 2022, 01:46:29 PM

The existing mainline bridge over the Kanawha River will be rehabbed to serve eastbound traffic. A twin is being built for westbound traffic.

The green bridge pictured above at the St. Albans interchange is being removed. Its span isn't wide enough to accommodate 6 lanes for I-64 underneath without eliminating shoulders. It is being replaced with the two curved ramps which will eliminate the existing stop sign for the I-64 WB onramp.

Correct.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on January 01, 2022, 03:03:55 PM
Were traffic volumes at the St. Albans (WV 817) exit significantly impacted by the new US 35?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on January 01, 2022, 03:28:59 PM
Were traffic volumes at the St. Albans (WV 817) exit significantly impacted by the new US 35?

My guess would be yes, since of course WV 817 is formerly US 35, and this was the primary access for many years.  I would think that the new 35, even when it still terminated just past Winfield, significantly reduced traffic volumes at the St. Albans exit.  Of course the reconfiguration of that interchange would have fixed the backups back in the day, and almost wouldn’t be needed today if I-64 wasn’t being widened.

And if they really are fully replacing the original I-64 Kanawha River bridge, it could perhaps be due to the final configuration of the St. Albans interchange rebuild (hear me out).  Perhaps the on-ramp to EB 64 needs extra acceleration length that simply cannot be provided by the original bridge?  I know that ramp is supposed to merge in as an added auxiliary lane that drops at Nitro, but maybe it still needs extra length or width for the merge?

And the big question still remains:  What type of bridge or bridges will the new I-64 Kanawha River crossing(s) be?  New steel truss bridge(s) like the original?  Concrete box beam like the Dunbar/South Charleston bridges upstream?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Tom958 on January 01, 2022, 04:09:14 PM
When the Bureau of Public Roads authorized the southward extension of Interstate 79 into West Virginia in October 1961, the prevailing wisdom was that 79 would follow US 19 all the way to Beckley and the WV Turnpike.  However, behind the scenes, the head of the State Road Commission - Burl Sawyers - quietly changed  79's routing to end in Charleston.

The story behind I-79's move from Beckley to Charleston is now up at the blog.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/interstate-79-to-beckley-wv-it-was.html

I participated in an online discussion about this not too long ago, but I can't find it. I found that the traffic volumes on i-79 and US 19 south of... Sutton? are remarkably similar. I wonder if completing Corridor H will attract more traffic to I-79.

For the reasons you cited, and per seicer's observations, I think the correct decision was made, even if the method by which it was made was less than ideal.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on January 01, 2022, 06:55:29 PM
When the Bureau of Public Roads authorized the southward extension of Interstate 79 into West Virginia in October 1961, the prevailing wisdom was that 79 would follow US 19 all the way to Beckley and the WV Turnpike.  However, behind the scenes, the head of the State Road Commission - Burl Sawyers - quietly changed  79's routing to end in Charleston.

The story behind I-79's move from Beckley to Charleston is now up at the blog.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/interstate-79-to-beckley-wv-it-was.html

I participated in an online discussion about this not too long ago, but I can't find it. I found that the traffic volumes on i-79 and US 19 south of... Sutton? are remarkably similar. I wonder if completing Corridor H will attract more traffic to I-79.

For the reasons you cited, and per seicer's observations, I think the correct decision was made, even if the method by which it was made was less than ideal.

Beckley was to be the location of the 77/79 junction only.  64 was still projected to break away from 77 at Belle (northern terminus of the WV Turnpike) and roughly follow US 60 towards current 64 at Sam Black Church, with a 64/79 interchange (I would guess a cloverleaf) east of Ansted.  I’m thinking the Ansted area could have been the distribution hub instead of Beckley.  I think the land in that area is a bit flatter.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on January 01, 2022, 08:29:12 PM
I was looking through project plans to see if anything had been prepared but I could not find anything. Nor any plans for Vankirk Drive's extension from the Beckley service plaza.

--

Parkways reviewing I-64/I-77 split at Beckley (https://wvmetronews.com/2021/12/26/parkways-reviewing-i-64-i-77-split-at-beckley/)

Members of the West Virginia Parkways Authority have asked their engineers to study whether it would make sense to make some changes where Interstate 77 and Interstate 64 split south of Beckley.

[...]

The current southbound split of the interstates on the West Virginia Turnpike is marked by a long barrier wall. Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller said the engineering study will look at whether changes should be made to the length of the wall.

“It will simply ask the question, would it make sense to remove any portion of that barrier wall to allow traffic more opportunity to switch lanes if they are in the 64 lane and need to get into the 77 lane,”  Miller said.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on January 01, 2022, 10:58:52 PM
Were traffic volumes at the St. Albans (WV 817) exit significantly impacted by the new US 35?

My guess would be yes, since of course WV 817 is formerly US 35, and this was the primary access for many years.  I would think that the new 35, even when it still terminated just past Winfield, significantly reduced traffic volumes at the St. Albans exit.  Of course the reconfiguration of that interchange would have fixed the backups back in the day, and almost wouldn’t be needed today if I-64 wasn’t being widened.

I'm sure that there were exceptions, but from the time of the switchover from WV-17 to US-35 after the Silver Bridge disaster there was very little traffic using Exit 44 to access US-35 northbound.  I suspect that much of that traffic was for the John E. Amos power plant, or for the subdivisions located east of Winfield.  The primary route to get to Point Pleasant was always WV-34 at the (now) Teays Valley exit (Exit 39), which was then posted as the Winfield exit.  Most of the Exit 44 traffic headed for Scary and Scott Depot still heads that way (although we always used Exit 44 to get home in central Scott Depot, but now use the new Exit 40).  And of course, all of the Exit 44 headed for St. Albans still goes that way.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on January 01, 2022, 11:57:32 PM
I was looking through project plans to see if anything had been prepared but I could not find anything. Nor any plans for Vankirk Drive's extension from the Beckley service plaza.

--

Parkways reviewing I-64/I-77 split at Beckley (https://wvmetronews.com/2021/12/26/parkways-reviewing-i-64-i-77-split-at-beckley/)

Members of the West Virginia Parkways Authority have asked their engineers to study whether it would make sense to make some changes where Interstate 77 and Interstate 64 split south of Beckley.

[...]

The current southbound split of the interstates on the West Virginia Turnpike is marked by a long barrier wall. Parkways Authority Executive Director Jeff Miller said the engineering study will look at whether changes should be made to the length of the wall.

“It will simply ask the question, would it make sense to remove any portion of that barrier wall to allow traffic more opportunity to switch lanes if they are in the 64 lane and need to get into the 77 lane,”  Miller said.

I've long thought that the split for the two routes on the southbound turnpike occurs way too early upstream, and don't understand why it's not closer to the gore point.

Same with this interchange on I-75 southbound near Lexington: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.1206532,-84.5273954,582m/data=!3m1!1e3
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on January 02, 2022, 10:00:28 AM
Were traffic volumes at the St. Albans (WV 817) exit significantly impacted by the new US 35?

Not really.  Before the building of the 4 lane US 35, the common practice was to turn right onto WV 34 just before the speed trap town of Winfield and follow this to I-64 at exit 39.  Long backups on 34 South were common, as, sadly were truck-car collisions, several fatal.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Black-Man on January 12, 2022, 07:47:03 PM
Interesting perspective Adam.

Beckley is too far from New River to tap into that activity for now, although it is pushing for new and enhanced connections to New River National Park and Preserve through new trailheads and facilities at Piney Creek.

There is also a lack of large-scale land for development at Beckley, although I guess additional hills could be moved for distribution centers. The state so far hasn't been a huge draw for those types of developments;

I was told by a reliable source (and I verified by looking at the WV funding spreadsheet) that the bike/hiking trail connecting the soccer fields to the New River Gorge via Piney Creek has been approved for funding for this year. There is also planning for a housing development along the trails near the soccer fields. Though the National Park is the attraction, outliers to the area exist. There are over 300 homes at Glade Springs as an example.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Tom958 on February 26, 2022, 06:43:40 PM
I've long thought that the split for the two routes on the southbound turnpike occurs way too early upstream, and don't understand why it's not closer to the gore point.

It has to be so that heavy trucks bound for I-64 and slowed by the upward grade there don't have to choose between obstructing traffic in the center lane or moving to the right lane and missing their exit. The length might be excessive, but I'm sure a lot of thought was put into it during design. Also, the 1.2 miles from the preceding onramp to the split provides ample opportunity for getting into the correct lane.

Quote from: hbelkins
Same with this interchange on I-75 southbound near Lexington: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.1206532,-84.5273954,582m/data=!3m1!1e3

Ha, I have no idea.  :hmmm:
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on February 26, 2022, 07:52:31 PM
I've long thought that the split for the two routes on the southbound turnpike occurs way too early upstream, and don't understand why it's not closer to the gore point.

It has to be so that heavy trucks bound for I-64 and slowed by the upward grade there don't have to choose between obstructing traffic in the center lane or moving to the right lane and missing their exit. The length might be excessive, but I'm sure a lot of thought was put into it during design. Also, the 1.2 miles from the preceding onramp to the split provides ample opportunity for getting into the correct lane.


I had always thought that an “exit toll plaza”  had been planed for that long stretch along the I-64 carriageway, and even though it was never built they didn’t change the ramp design.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Mapmikey on February 26, 2022, 08:07:32 PM
The original I-75 SB ramp to I-64 WB was only about 600 ft from the exit gore to a 30 mph curve, so lengthening the ramp seems logical...
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on February 26, 2022, 08:49:34 PM
I thought that the extra long ramps from the Turnpike south to I-64 east were for toll booths but engineering plans that are available online don't show any of that. There is a modest grade that really doesn't require a climbing lane, but I-64 east of there has climbing lanes on other small grades (unlike other interstates in the state), so that could be a reason.

There is a plan to potentially modify that extra long ramp to remove confusion between the divergence. Having become very familiar with that interchange (girlfriend lives near it), vehicles will switch all over the place at the last minute to get into the correct lane. Perhaps this has gotten better since the widening on the Turnpike is all but complete.

This will all change when the Coalfields Expressway connects to the interchange at some point in the future.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on February 27, 2022, 09:18:11 AM
There is a modest grade that really doesn't require a climbing lane, but I-64 east of there has climbing lanes on other small grades (unlike other interstates in the state), so that could be a reason.

That’s an aspect of modern rural interstate design: having climbing lanes where you wouldn’t ordinarily see them on older rural interstates.  I-24 between Nashville and Clarksville in TN has a lot of these, and it was the last major interstate link in that state to open.  I can’t remember whether or not I-79 has many of these, as much of it was a latecomer to WV as well.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on February 27, 2022, 11:15:56 AM
There is a modest grade that really doesn't require a climbing lane, but I-64 east of there has climbing lanes on other small grades (unlike other interstates in the state), so that could be a reason.

That’s an aspect of modern rural interstate design: having climbing lanes where you wouldn’t ordinarily see them on older rural interstates.  I-24 between Nashville and Clarksville in TN has a lot of these, and it was the last major interstate link in that state to open.  I can’t remember whether or not I-79 has many of these, as much of it was a latecomer to WV as well.


Climbing lanes are rare on I-79. There are one or two locations with them in Kanawha County, and one pair outside Morgantown. WVDOH has plans to build them on I-79 NB near Burnsville, where there is a long grade but frankly one where I've never seen the lack of climbing lanes cause issues.

I-68, which was built about the same time as most of I-79, has several sets of climbing lanes where comparable locations on I-79 don't. MDSHA went crazy with climbing lanes on their part of the highway.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on February 27, 2022, 02:12:41 PM
There is a modest grade that really doesn't require a climbing lane, but I-64 east of there has climbing lanes on other small grades (unlike other interstates in the state), so that could be a reason.

That climbing grade on the Turnpike southbound at the I-64 exit is relatively short but it is still steep enough to be a problem for trucks needing to get over to the left lane to exit. That arrangement always made sense to me:  (1) Let truckers have enough time on the Crab Orchard downgrade to get over in the left lane before crossing Piney Creek); (2) Give faster traffic a chance to get around those truckers bound for I-64 before the split; and (3) provide a passing lane around those truckers after the split.  The exit essentially works like a long single lane offramp with a truck lane.

That’s an aspect of modern rural interstate design: having climbing lanes where you wouldn’t ordinarily see them on older rural interstates.  I-24 between Nashville and Clarksville in TN has a lot of these, and it was the last major interstate link in that state to open.  I can’t remember whether or not I-79 has many of these, as much of it was a latecomer to WV as well.


Climbing lanes are rare on I-79. There are one or two locations with them in Kanawha County, and one pair outside Morgantown. WVDOH has plans to build them on I-79 NB near Burnsville, where there is a long grade but frankly one where I've never seen the lack of climbing lanes cause issues.

Since I had family there for many years, I have seen double-wide trucks on the Three Lick upgrade, but indeed it was rare.  I wonder if there are more trucks on I-79 these days as relief valve for all of the truck congestion on I-81 (which is certainly lacking in northbound truck lanes).
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on February 28, 2022, 09:44:56 AM
There is a modest grade that really doesn't require a climbing lane, but I-64 east of there has climbing lanes on other small grades (unlike other interstates in the state), so that could be a reason.

That’s an aspect of modern rural interstate design: having climbing lanes where you wouldn’t ordinarily see them on older rural interstates.  I-24 between Nashville and Clarksville in TN has a lot of these, and it was the last major interstate link in that state to open.  I can’t remember whether or not I-79 has many of these, as much of it was a latecomer to WV as well.


Climbing lanes are rare on I-79. There are one or two locations with them in Kanawha County, and one pair outside Morgantown. WVDOH has plans to build them on I-79 NB near Burnsville, where there is a long grade but frankly one where I've never seen the lack of climbing lanes cause issues.

I-68, which was built about the same time as most of I-79, has several sets of climbing lanes where comparable locations on I-79 don't. MDSHA went crazy with climbing lanes on their part of the highway.

I think those are among the last segments of I-79 to be built in the state, too.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on February 28, 2022, 11:33:09 AM
I think those are among the last segments of I-79 to be built in the state, too.

Correct.  Roughly, 79 was built north to south. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 11, 2022, 03:18:47 PM
Am I blue? WVDOH announces color scheme, informational website for Charleston interstate bridge painting project (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Am_I_blue_WVDOH_announces_color_scheme_informational_website_for_Charleston_interstate_bridge_painting_project.aspx)

A series of nine interstate bridges and six interstate ramps running through downtown Charleston will be painted blue with white concrete work, the West Virginia Division of Highways announced today. The painting is necessary to prolong the life of the bridges and ramps.
 
A dedicated website will also be created to keep the public informed about the massive project.
 
“This area has the highest daily traffic counts in the state of West Virginia,”  said Greg Bailey, P.E., WVDOH Chief Engineer of Operations. “It’s a very visible piece of highway.”
 
On March 1, 2022, Blastech Enterprises Inc. was awarded a contract for $27,420,996.50 to clean and paint the series of bridges and ramps on Interstate 77 and Interstate 64. Funding is a combination of federal and state monies.
 
The project includes bridges over Piedmont Road, Bigley Avenue, and Court Street and ramps accessing Court Street, Leon Sullivan Way, and Brooks Street. Weather permitting, work on the bridges is expected to begin the week of Monday, April 4, 2022.
 
Contractors have planned the project with as little impact to the traveling public as possible. “However, with a project this large, there is going to be some traffic disruption,”  Bailey said.
 
Contractors have developed a website, www.CarterBrooksIC.info, where the public will be able to find work schedules, detours, and other information about the project.

--

Via https://www.carterbrooksic.info/ -

The Carter Bridge/Brooks Street Interchange Project, funded by the West Virginia Division of Highways, is a bridge painting and repair project of fifteen (15) bridges on the I-77/I-64 corridor in Charleston, WV. The project footprint includes the bridges associated with the I-77/I-64 interchange (Bigley Ave. bridges/ramps) on the north side of downtown Charleston and stretches east across the Elk River and Kanawha Valley Railroad to the I-77/I-64 ramps for Leon Sullivan Way and Brooks Street.

The project was let on the February 8th, 2022, WVDOH Project Letting for a price of $27,420,996.50 to Blastech Enterprises, Inc. from Baltimore, MD. The project was officially awarded on March 1, 2022, and the contractor was given the Notice to Proceed on March 21, 2022. The Carter Bridge/Brooks Street Interchange is expected to be performed over the next 20 months with an original contract completion date of November 17, 2023.

The original bridges were built in the early 1970’s and are due for maintenance to keep them functioning properly, extending their useful lifespan for years to come. In addition to cleaning and painting the structural steel of the fifteen (15) bridges, the project will make various improvements to the existing bridges that include: concrete crack and spall repairs, concrete protective coating, bolt replacements, repair and cleaning of bridge drainage, bridge joint cleaning, access door repairs, parapet plate armoring, fence replacement, electrical and lighting repairs, and erosion repairs. The existing pedestrian bridge over I-77/I-64 and staircases will be removed as part of the project.

With the majority of the project work to be performed underneath the bridges, the traveling public should expect various roadway closures and detours to local streets as well as partial closures to parking lots under the bridges associated with the project. Additionally, nightly lane closures and various ramp closures along the I-77/I-64 corridor will occur within the project limits.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on April 11, 2022, 10:54:43 PM
Am I blue? WVDOH announces color scheme, informational website for Charleston interstate bridge painting project (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Am_I_blue_WVDOH_announces_color_scheme_informational_website_for_Charleston_interstate_bridge_painting_project.aspx)

A series of nine interstate bridges and six interstate ramps running through downtown Charleston will be painted blue with white concrete work, the West Virginia Division of Highways announced today. The painting is necessary to prolong the life of the bridges and ramps.
 
<snipped>

Missed opportunity here.  Instead of painting the concrete white, the DOH should have considered painting them yellow.  That is the shade that we called "state road yaller" back in the 1960s.  Semi-official colors of the state and its flagship university.  For those unfamiliar, the dome of the State Capitol in Charleston was repainted in dark royal blue and "state road yellow" after the original gold leaf peeled off due to [pollutants from the local chemical industry].  It was repainted in dark royal and gold leaf sometime in Jay Rockefeller's first term (about 1978 or so).  Old-timers were upset about the blue paint, since the original was all gold leaf.  Since then, it has been repainted in all gold leaf.

Anyhow, the official colors of West Virginia University are royal blue and old gold.  But most of us still think of dark royal and state road yellow as the WVU regalia.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 12, 2022, 09:28:23 AM
You are in luck... these bridges I have not yet photographed because they look very worn down. I'm glad they are painting both spans in differing colors - which are also the state's official colors and not the colors of the Ukrainian flag (sadly, a lot of online commenters are not aware of that).

This is not unlike the pair of bridges at Ashland, Kentucky.

Also, those ramps could stand to be diamond ground.

--

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/EbrJQ8ugKh8C1WtTAd27RjdEe_DDgl-t_8eJClqcKMgeWDEfh5aU-gZV-b9RBeG0DNfgCGDD_SukFGEI8rV5c-1MPAeOZbVKi702ihYc1z24ib7GF_fnQc3bc-SbQjVh1l_wDz0kMPc4N69F1vNuAE_cbMCIBw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/c3359a68-1b42-77a7-2275-2fc15c1af51d.jpg)

Let’s gooooooo, bridge painteers! Work underway to paint West Virginia Turnpike Chuck Yeager Bridge (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Lets_go_bridge_painteers_Work_underway_to_paint_West_Virginia_Turnpike_Chuck_Yeager_Bridge.aspx)

Contractors have begun rigging work for a new blue and gold paint job on the Charles Chuck Yeager Bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike.
 
In June 2021, Southern Road and Bridge LLC was awarded a contract for $16,267,273.80 to completely repaint both northbound and southbound spans of the bridge. The winning bid was 11 percent lower than the engineer’s estimate for the project.
 
In honor of Yeager, a Hamlin native who was the first man to officially break the sound barrier, the decision was made to paint the bridges in blue and gold.
 
“The Yeager Bridge is an iconic bridge entering the Kanawha Valley on the West Virginia Turnpike and it is in desperate need of a full painting,”  said Jeff Miller, Executive Director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority. “The West Virginia Parkways Authority is proud that Gov. Jim Justice had the vision to honor Yeager, who is one of the greatest West Virginians of all time, by painting this bridge in the official state colors of gold and blue. Not only will this help improve the overall condition and appearance of the bridges, but it is also a simple, yet classy gesture to honor this great West Virginian.”
 
The southern span of the bridge was built in 1952 as part of the original alignment of the West Virginia Turnpike. The northbound bridge was built in 1980. Plans call for the southbound bridge to be painted blue and the northbound span to be painted gold.
 
Through December 2022, contractors plan to clean and paint the steelwork below the bridge decks. The work will require intermittent lane closures on US 60 and WV 61.
 
Beginning in January 2023, contractors plan to tackle the main bridge trusses above the bridge decks. Plans call for painting both bridges at the same time.
 
Painting is expected to be complete in June 2023.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 12, 2022, 11:43:25 AM
The bridges in question were named for Gen. Chuck Yeager, first man to break the sound barrier.   Who donated much of his estate and items from his military career to Marshall University, whose top scholarship is endowed by him and named for him.  But don’t let facts and logic get in the way of honoring a “flagship”  university 100s of miles away..  Whatever “flagship”  is.    Really they should paint a bridge in New Jersey for WVU.

More on the Rockefeller repainting of the dome.  The original golf leaf was worn away by pollution.  Rockefeller was told that re-gilding the dome would last for another 40 to 50 years.  He chose to paint it, which lasted about 18 months before it looked like garbage.  He spent the money for the sale of the gold to buy a single snow plow for Preston County DOH.  He also turned off all the lights around the capital, including the dome.

With no money to repair the dome, it looked like crap for the length of the Rockefeller era, which is very symbolic.  When Rockefeller moved on they had the dome re done in gold, and it looks great.  They burned the light 24/7/365, because, as the next governor said, “it runs on WV coal and we have a 400 years supply” >

[Removed gratuitous political name-calling. -S.]
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on April 12, 2022, 11:47:19 AM
You are in luck... these bridges I have not yet photographed because they look very worn down. I'm glad they are painting both spans in differing colors - which are also the state's official colors and not the colors of the Ukrainian flag (sadly, a lot of online commenters are not aware of that).

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/EbrJQ8ugKh8C1WtTAd27RjdEe_DDgl-t_8eJClqcKMgeWDEfh5aU-gZV-b9RBeG0DNfgCGDD_SukFGEI8rV5c-1MPAeOZbVKi702ihYc1z24ib7GF_fnQc3bc-SbQjVh1l_wDz0kMPc4N69F1vNuAE_cbMCIBw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/c3359a68-1b42-77a7-2275-2fc15c1af51d.jpg)

That's more like it.  Its not "state road yaller", but that certainly looks like a modern-day WVU color scheme. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on April 12, 2022, 02:47:49 PM
I didn't notice it so much when I lived there since I took it at face value, but years later now when I go to Huntington and surrounding towns it really sticks out to me how many things are painted green.

I remember it seemed like the capitol dome spent most of the '80s being worked on and covered up.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on April 12, 2022, 05:23:28 PM
The bridges in question were named for Gen. Chuck Yeager, first man to break the sound barrier.   Who donated much of his estate and items from his military career to Marshall University, whose top scholarship is endowed by him and named for him.  But don’t let facts and logic get in the way of honoring a “flagship”  university 100s of miles away..  Whatever “flagship”  is.    Really they should paint a bridge in New Jersey for WVU.

More on the Rockefeller repainting of the dome.  The original golf leaf was worn away by pollution.  Rockefeller was told that re-gilding the dome would last for another 40 to 50 years.  He chose to paint it, which lasted about 18 months before it looked like garbage.  He spent the money for the sale of the gold to buy a single snow plow for Preston County DOH.  He also turned off all the lights around the capital, including the dome.

With no money to repair the dome, it looked like crap for the length of the Rockefeller era, which is very symbolic.  When Rockefeller moved on they had the dome re done in gold, and it looks great.  They burned the light 24/7/365, because, as the next governor said, “it runs on WV coal and we have a 400 years supply” >

[Removed gratuitous political name-calling. -S.]

Arch Moore's all-gold leaf design failed after several years. The gold developed streaks and was flaking off. Seems appropriate for a governor who went to prison for accepting kickbacks.

The current done scheme is a restoration of the original Cass Gilbert design. It has dark blue bars with gold leaf and was done in the mid-2000s.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Rothman on April 13, 2022, 12:08:32 AM
I didn't notice it so much when I lived there since I took it at face value, but years later now when I go to Huntington and surrounding towns it really sticks out to me how many things are painted green.

I remember it seemed like the capitol dome spent most of the '80s being worked on and covered up.
Yeah, I remember it looking like sooted up crap back in the 1990s or so.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the dome some years ago after it was last restored.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 13, 2022, 10:51:46 AM
I didn't notice it so much when I lived there since I took it at face value, but years later now when I go to Huntington and surrounding towns it really sticks out to me how many things are painted green.

But not Marshall green. The generic darker green, from what I've noticed.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on April 13, 2022, 10:16:14 PM
Correct, getting things like carpet in Marshall green is pretty much not happening unless you pay big bucks for custom. Yet there is tons of jade and forest carpet all around town because it's the closest you can get. And the actual Marshall green paint would have too much visual impact so the darker green gets subbed in.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 14, 2022, 09:51:03 AM
“Marshall green”  is described as “Kelly green”  and is Pantone 354 C, CMYK 80 0 92 0, RGB 0 177 64, or HEX 00B140. 

About 15 years ago, MU had a really lazy and bad AD who let Nike just use its generic green which is much darker, similar to Michigan State.  He claimed that Nike told him they couldn’t do custom colors, and one of the reporters for the local TV presented him with a jersey from North Texas, the only other school to use that exact color, which indeed Nike had done for them.  The next AD got everything redone in the correct color, but a lot of merchants were stuck with stuff that was the “wrong color”  and it caused bad feelings.

Anyway, most fire hydrants in Huntington and Barboursville are painted green and white.  Other than that it is mostly private businesses doing things, not infrastructure. 

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on April 14, 2022, 09:12:03 PM
When I lived there in the early-mid 2000s that darker green had just come off an extremely popular spell in pop culture so it didn't stick out as much as it does today where grayscale rules.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 25, 2022, 01:58:39 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2022/04/24/transportation-secretary-describes-focus-on-corridor-h-king-coal-and-coalfields-highways/

Annual planning update for the legislature.  I agree with is Corridor H comments.  The time frame for the KC/Tolsia and Coalfields seem very optimistic. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 25, 2022, 02:49:08 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2022/04/24/transportation-secretary-describes-focus-on-corridor-h-king-coal-and-coalfields-highways/

Annual planning update for the legislature.  I agree with is Corridor H comments.  The time frame for the KC/Tolsia and Coalfields seem very optimistic.

I've never met Jimmy Wriston (obviously) but I like him. He seems very much like an Everyman transportation secretary. He came up through the ranks of the WVDOT and doesn't seem overly slick, polished, or political (although I'm sure he's fairly savvy in how the political system works).

I just don't get the feeling that he's pretentious or considers himself to be above the people who are actually out doing the work. And it's rare that I've seen him dressed up in any photos accompanying news stories in which he's mentioned. Looks like from the appearance of his clothing, he'd be more at home out on a project than behind a desk.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 25, 2022, 09:39:05 PM
"The mileage aspect is true, Wriston said, “but we’re taking a look at some different approaches maybe where we can use Route 52 to a degree and only build two lanes maybe.” "

It makes me wonder if that isn't going to be the case for much of the improved portions of the Tolsia Highway north of US 119, since some of that was built only 40 or so years ago. It already looks like the portion north of Prichard will follow the existing US 52 alignment rather than run purely on the ridgetops.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 26, 2022, 10:12:06 AM
It already looks like the portion north of Prichard will follow the existing US 52 alignment rather than run purely on the ridgetops.

Most of the land for 52 between Kenova and Prichard was bought more than 20 years ago, when the project (meaning the Kenova to Prichard part, not the whole thing) was a big deal and on the front burner.  Then the governor changed and its just been setting there. 

The sad deal, for the taxpayers, is that, as you say that part of the road, is only 40 years old.  What is now WV 152 was the old US 52, and the “new”  US 52 was county route 9, in some spots a dirt road, with very low land values.  Just farm country.  Now home to a lot of light manufacturing and good homes.    Had enough land been acquired for four lanes, at that time, and banked, the savings would have been large.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on April 26, 2022, 10:51:43 AM
"The mileage aspect is true, Wriston said, “but we’re taking a look at some different approaches maybe where we can use Route 52 to a degree and only build two lanes maybe.” "

It makes me wonder if that isn't going to be the case for much of the improved portions of the Tolsia Highway north of US 119, since some of that was built only 40 or so years ago. It already looks like the portion north of Prichard will follow the existing US 52 alignment rather than run purely on the ridgetops.

There really isn't a lot on the east side of the road other than hillsides. A short tie-in from the current end of the four-lane at WV 75 and then just blast the side of the mountain along the existing route, and maybe improve some access control points, and you're pretty good at least as far as Prichard.

I think an eastern bypass of the Ft. Gay area would be warranted, although it might be fairly easy to widen the existing route near the WV 37 intersections without displacing too many people.

Maybe they can even keep some of the button copy that still exists near Ft. Gay.

I call your attention to this:

https://goo.gl/maps/9ERpgTKMTDpaer7F8

(You will need to zoom in to see details.)

Kentucky is getting ready to widen KY 15 between KY 30 and KY 1812 to four lanes with a TWLTL. Only three structures are going to be impacted: the produce stand on the north side of the road across from the strip mall, the used car lot at the corner of KY 15/KY 1812 (Main Street), and a doublewide mobile home up on the hill across from the former Pizza Hut location.

It'll take a crapload of blasting, but they are going to be able to do it without too much disruption to existing properties.

Hopefully WV can do the same with US 52.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 28, 2022, 01:48:00 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2022/04/27/parkways-authority-approves-25-million-contract-for-toll-system-upgrade/

Turnpike is “modernizing”  its tollbooths and the website.   “Open road tolling”  is not mentioned in the article, so probably not.

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 28, 2022, 04:02:43 PM
I was going to post something about that but I was not sure what it entailed.

- Expanded EZ-Pass readers? I thought this was already at each booth. Perhaps they are talking about updating the technology to allow for an increase in speeds through the booths? If so, the booths are narrow and not really designed for anything over say... 10 MPH. I've been guilty of flying through them at 15 MPH and it's been just fine.
- License plate readers? I thought this was already at each booth.

I am surprised at how many still do not use EZ-Pass on the West Virginia Turnpike. I now commute on it with increasing frequency with work in the SE part of the state, and I would say it's probably a 50/50 ratio on EZ-Pass-only users and cash/EZ-pass users. I wonder why they have not considered going with a pay-by-plate system.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: wriddle082 on April 28, 2022, 07:59:53 PM
I was going to post something about that but I was not sure what it entailed.

- Expanded EZ-Pass readers? I thought this was already at each booth. Perhaps they are talking about updating the technology to allow for an increase in speeds through the booths? If so, the booths are narrow and not really designed for anything over say... 10 MPH. I've been guilty of flying through them at 15 MPH and it's been just fine.
- License plate readers? I thought this was already at each booth.

I am surprised at how many still do not use EZ-Pass on the West Virginia Turnpike. I now commute on it with increasing frequency with work in the SE part of the state, and I would say it's probably a 50/50 ratio on EZ-Pass-only users and cash/EZ-pass users. I wonder why they have not considered going with a pay-by-plate system.

I think the WVTP should always have some sort of cash lanes in place, if for nobody else then for the Canadian snowbirds who have no desire to get an EZPass or to receive a toll bill at home from a toll agency in a different country.  Either way, there is still a large number of out-of-state traffic that uses the turnpike, and they may not all come from EZPass states, and if they do then they may not even live close enough to a toll road to justify getting an EZPass.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: vdeane on April 28, 2022, 09:17:38 PM
I get the feeling that this upgrade is mostly back-end, but that it could facilitate more visible changes (beyond the new signs they mentioned allowing all lanes to be open by changing to E-ZPass when not staffed) in the future.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 28, 2022, 10:23:32 PM
I'm confused by that sentence vdeane. All lanes are open to EZ-Pass, and there are usually two lanes open only for EZ-Pass.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on April 29, 2022, 09:28:47 AM
I was going to post something about that but I was not sure what it entailed.

- Expanded EZ-Pass readers? I thought this was already at each booth. Perhaps they are talking about updating the technology to allow for an increase in speeds through the booths? If so, the booths are narrow and not really designed for anything over say... 10 MPH. I've been guilty of flying through them at 15 MPH and it's been just fine.
- License plate readers? I thought this was already at each booth.
There were limits on license plate readers in state law. That's part of what sunk DOH's original plan to toll WV 43. I guess they've been lifted?

Quote
I am surprised at how many still do not use EZ-Pass on the West Virginia Turnpike. I now commute on it with increasing frequency with work in the SE part of the state, and I would say it's probably a 50/50 ratio on EZ-Pass-only users and cash/EZ-pass users. I wonder why they have not considered going with a pay-by-plate system.

AET won't happen because of job welfare for toll takers. They really need to have some permanent, preferably high-speed, E-ZPass lanes instead of this nonsense every holiday of staffing every lane for cash.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on April 29, 2022, 09:43:30 AM
It's not even holiday weekends anymore. It can be a weekend. There was a time - I think it was the first warm weekend of the spring, I sat in traffic at the Ghent toll plaza for 20 minutes just to get to a clear lane. All lanes were open. The northern toll plaza can also be a disaster when beach traffic starts up.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 29, 2022, 11:28:25 AM
- License plate readers.  The only prohibition WV has, AFAIK, is a ban on red light cameras and other non-human random tax schemes, such as speed cams.  Which is a good thing, IMHO. 

The WV 43 deal, from what I have been told, was just politics.  The excuse they used at the time was that it would be cost prohibitive for Turnpike maintenance people to travel all the way across the state to take care of 6 miles of road, nor could a staff be permanently stationed there.  Both of which are true, but left unanswered is why the ordinary local DOH could not take care of the road and bill their time to the Turnpike.  It was just Morgantown’s desire to pay no tolls, which makes little sense as there is only one exit in the state, and its tolled in PA.

There are plate readers at every booth, for toll evaders.  There are also plate readers at every state line, which run the plates through a real-time fugitive program.  They catch people fairly regularly. 

- Canada.  If a person is a true “snowbird”  then ONE round trip per year pays the cost of the “frequent user”  EZ Pass.  The turnpike really should be like 90% EZ Pass.   The frequent user deal is too good to pass up.  The only people that should pay cash are people that come through the area less than once per year.

- There are indeed EZ Pass readers in every lane. 

- A big part of the backups, when they occur, is that trucks find it hard to build back up speed due to the grades.  It squeezes back to 2 lanes very quickly, and Truck A is in the slow lane going 10 MPH, and Truck B is in the fast lane going 12 MPH

Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: vdeane on April 29, 2022, 12:50:08 PM
I'm confused by that sentence vdeane. All lanes are open to EZ-Pass, and there are usually two lanes open only for EZ-Pass.
From the end of the article:
Quote
The new system will also enable the Parkways Authority to keep all lanes open at all times at the toll plazas, Miller said.

“Each lane will now have the variable dynamic message boards above it. It will be digital and colored and we’ll be able to change those lanes as the traffic pattern shifts,”  Miller said.

For example, if a toll collector has to step out of the booth for a short period of time, the sign can change that booth to an E-ZPass lane instead of shutting the lane down altogether.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on April 29, 2022, 07:08:39 PM
I'm confused by that sentence vdeane. All lanes are open to EZ-Pass, and there are usually two lanes open only for EZ-Pass.

From the end of the article:
Quote
The new system will also enable the Parkways Authority to keep all lanes open at all times at the toll plazas, Miller said.

“Each lane will now have the variable dynamic message boards above it. It will be digital and colored and we’ll be able to change those lanes as the traffic pattern shifts,”  Miller said.

For example, if a toll collector has to step out of the booth for a short period of time, the sign can change that booth to an E-ZPass lane instead of shutting the lane down altogether.

I see where the confusion is.  The current tollgates on the West Virginia Turnpike have EZ-Pass Only lanes and Cash lanes that accept EZ-Pass.  Whenever a Cash Lane doesn't have a tolltaker at the helm, it must be closed to all traffic under the current setup.  The new VMS signage will allow those lanes to be reposted as EZ-Pass Only lanes.  This should have been in place on Day 1 of the implementation of EZ-Pass.  However, it is my understanding that the toll collectors raised too many concerns about job security.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 29, 2022, 11:00:53 PM
- Canada.  If a person is a true “snowbird”  then ONE round trip per year pays the cost of the “frequent user”  EZ Pass.  The turnpike really should be like 90% EZ Pass.   The frequent user deal is too good to pass up.  The only people that should pay cash are people that come through the area less than once per year.

Even if the people are using the I-79 -> US-19 -> I-77 way to get to Florida and bypassing the majority of the Turnpike?  Granted, I haven't been to Florida in ages, so I'm not up to speed on the current prices for EZPass in that section.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Rothman on April 29, 2022, 11:27:29 PM
I'm confused by that sentence vdeane. All lanes are open to EZ-Pass, and there are usually two lanes open only for EZ-Pass.

From the end of the article:
Quote
The new system will also enable the Parkways Authority to keep all lanes open at all times at the toll plazas, Miller said.

“Each lane will now have the variable dynamic message boards above it. It will be digital and colored and we’ll be able to change those lanes as the traffic pattern shifts,”  Miller said.

For example, if a toll collector has to step out of the booth for a short period of time, the sign can change that booth to an E-ZPass lane instead of shutting the lane down altogether.

I see where the confusion is.  The current tollgates on the West Virginia Turnpike have EZ-Pass Only lanes and Cash lanes that accept EZ-Pass.  Whenever a Cash Lane doesn't have a tolltaker at the helm, it must be closed to all traffic under the current setup.  The new VMS signage will allow those lanes to be reposted as EZ-Pass Only lanes.  This should have been in place on Day 1 of the implementation of EZ-Pass.  However, it is my understanding that the toll collectors raised too many concerns about job security.
Finally catching up with the NY Thruway after 20 years or so?
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on April 30, 2022, 04:19:50 PM

Even if the people are using the I-79 -> US-19 -> I-77 way to get to Florida and bypassing the majority of the Turnpike?  Granted, I haven't been to Florida in ages, so I'm not up to speed on the current prices for EZPass in that section.

You are right, North Beckley is 75 cents, and the one mainline is $4.25 for $5, for $10 roundtrip.  One year EZ Pass is $26.50.    If you take the all-interstate way, however, which most GPS addicted types do (a mistake) it is $4.25 X 3 X 2 = $25.50.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on May 01, 2022, 01:33:14 PM
- License plate readers.  The only prohibition WV has, AFAIK, is a ban on red light cameras and other non-human random tax schemes, such as speed cams.  Which is a good thing, IMHO. 

The WV 43 deal, from what I have been told, was just politics.  The excuse they used at the time was that it would be cost prohibitive for Turnpike maintenance people to travel all the way across the state to take care of 6 miles of road, nor could a staff be permanently stationed there.  Both of which are true, but left unanswered is why the ordinary local DOH could not take care of the road and bill their time to the Turnpike.  It was just Morgantown’s desire to pay no tolls, which makes little sense as there is only one exit in the state, and its tolled in PA.
When WV 43 was built, it repurposed to the old Exit #10 on I-68 that previously connected to CR 857. Traffic going to CR 857, whether it be to the Cheat Lake area or to Pennsylvania, must now get on WV 43. Tolling a previously free movement would have been unpalatable.

Pennsylvania allows free travel between the state line and Exit #2, which connects to PA 857. Traffic has grown on the tolled portion over time, but there is still a decent amount of traffic that exits at PA Exit #2 to shunpike. It's not that everyone using the WV portion is paying PA tolls.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on May 01, 2022, 03:36:18 PM
When WV 43 was built, it repurposed to the old Exit #10 on I-68 that previously connected to CR 857. Traffic going to CR 857, whether it be to the Cheat Lake area or to Pennsylvania, must now get on WV 43. Tolling a previously free movement would have been unpalatable.

Pennsylvania allows free travel between the state line and Exit #2, which connects to PA 857. Traffic has grown on the tolled portion over time, but there is still a decent amount of traffic that exits at PA Exit #2 to shunpike. It's not that everyone using the WV portion is paying PA tolls.

Plus, the combination LSR-857 and PA-857 is not a bad road.  It has always been the preferred route over US-119 from Morgantown to Uniontown, and got many upgrades in comparison.  Back in the mid-1980s, the town of Fairchance was a bit of a slowdown, but it lost most of its industrial base by the early 1990s and nowadays is not much of an impediment to traffic.  I haven't been back that way for a number of years, so I still haven't been on any of Toll WV-43 nor the section of Toll PA-43 south of Gans. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: SP Cook on May 01, 2022, 03:38:15 PM

When WV 43 was built, it repurposed to the old Exit #10 on I-68 that previously connected to CR 857. Traffic going to CR 857, whether it be to the Cheat Lake area or to Pennsylvania, must now get on WV 43. Tolling a previously free movement would have been unpalatable.

Yes, I get that, try extending tolls on a road paid off in 1986 forever for "unpalatable".  However the toll proposal placed the WV booth just south of the state line, exiting local traffic at Cheat Lake was not to be tolled.  Another proposal was to simply raise the toll at the last PA booth and have PA share the $$. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: VTGoose on May 02, 2022, 08:48:58 AM
It's not even holiday weekends anymore. It can be a weekend. There was a time - I think it was the first warm weekend of the spring, I sat in traffic at the Ghent toll plaza for 20 minutes just to get to a clear lane. All lanes were open. The northern toll plaza can also be a disaster when beach traffic starts up.

It doesn't help that you have to slow to 5 MPH to have your transponder read. Not that it mattered at Ghent going north since construction just north of the toll plaza squeezed everyone into one lane. We drove to Charleston on Friday and I'm still trying to figure out what I got for my $12.75. Construction just north of the Bluestone bridge had traffic backed up to the Concord exit, which added more travel time in addition to the work at Ghent. Most of the road is in OK shape but there are still a lot of rough spots. One would think that with the money that is supposed to be going to Turnpike construction/maintenance that there would be more expansion to three lanes in more places.

It has been a while since I've been on the turnpike, so the $4.25 toll at one booth was a shock. It is much better than the "Modern 2-lane highway" that I paid $3.00 to travel from end to end on, but I'm not seeing the value in the higher toll.

Bruce in Blacksburg
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: roadman65 on May 02, 2022, 09:01:24 AM
Is there a present long term closing of US 219 in the Appalachian region?  I heard on line through travel is halted until the Fall of 2022?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 02, 2022, 09:54:56 AM
No. There is construction on Corridor H (US 48 and US 219) northeast of Elkins which involves the reconstruction of the Harperstown Road bridge - which is 21 years old. The abutments are sinking/failing. While it's not a major issue now, the state is rebuilding the abutments while there is limited traffic on that section of Corridor H - before the next segment opens to Parsons which is currently under construction. Traffic is essentially routed on the old alignment.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on May 02, 2022, 05:11:14 PM
It's not even holiday weekends anymore. It can be a weekend. There was a time - I think it was the first warm weekend of the spring, I sat in traffic at the Ghent toll plaza for 20 minutes just to get to a clear lane. All lanes were open. The northern toll plaza can also be a disaster when beach traffic starts up.

It doesn't help that you have to slow to 5 MPH to have your transponder read. Not that it mattered at Ghent going north since construction just north of the toll plaza squeezed everyone into one lane. We drove to Charleston on Friday and I'm still trying to figure out what I got for my $12.75. Construction just north of the Bluestone bridge had traffic backed up to the Concord exit, which added more travel time in addition to the work at Ghent. Most of the road is in OK shape but there are still a lot of rough spots. One would think that with the money that is supposed to be going to Turnpike construction/maintenance that there would be more expansion to three lanes in more places.

It has been a while since I've been on the turnpike, so the $4.25 toll at one booth was a shock. It is much better than the "Modern 2-lane highway" that I paid $3.00 to travel from end to end on, but I'm not seeing the value in the higher toll.

Bruce in Blacksburg


The last toll increase, from $2.00, wasn't to improve the Turnpike. It was a "gouge out-of-state drivers" plan to fund revenue bonds for Roads to Prosperity projects throughout southern West Virginia.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on May 02, 2022, 05:23:29 PM
To some extent, the physical condition of the Turnpike has improved. The bridges are generally in very good condition (and in much better condition than those on WVDOH routes) and do not require rehabilitation - but they are also newer and less complex with the exception of the Bluestone River crossing. The pavement is questionable partly because of the failure of the concrete pavement throughout, mainly because of mid-slab cracking all throughout the Turnpike. It looks like the worst of it is being outright replaced in the vicinity of the Bluestone River bridge right now.

But tolls are being used not to fund Turnpike projects, but projects throughout the southern tier of the state - all roadway related unlike when the Turnpike fell under the broader tourism banner. The WV 10 rehab from Mullens to US 19, which involved widening roadway widths, rebuilding embankments, revising superelevations, full-depth pavement repairs, and rehabbed bridges, was funded through tolls. I think tolls are also funding US 121/Coalfields Expressway as well. It's a trade-off because the state would otherwise have the shoulder these costs and projects like the Coalfields Expressway would probably never get built at any reasonable speed otherwise. (No opinion expressed.)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sbeaver44 on May 15, 2022, 02:42:54 PM
I drove through the I-81 widening project between Exits 8 (CR 32) and 12  (WV 45) southbound last night, and I saw traffic having three lanes headed northbound, but I was still stuck with only two lanes headed southbound for now.
This may just be coincidence, but I have noticed since about 2009 that every time I drive by Exit 8 on 81 it seems like there’s construction there
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 16, 2022, 05:51:30 AM
I drove through the I-81 widening project between Exits 8 (CR 32) and 12  (WV 45) southbound last night, and I saw traffic having three lanes headed northbound, but I was still stuck with only two lanes headed southbound for now.
This may just be coincidence, but I have noticed since about 2009 that every time I drive by Exit 8 on 81 it seems like there’s construction there

There are three lanes in both directions here now.  I drove through it Thursday Morning.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on May 17, 2022, 10:26:12 AM
I was behind a work crew the other day that was cutting out the seam between two lanes and wondered if the seam could be eliminated if they had a much larger paving machine. Then I thought back to my recent drive on US 35 and looked back on some of my aerials I took: there were no seams in the most recent section that opened.

Turned out, WVDOH invested in a double-wide machine to lay down asphalt: https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Twice-as-nice-Double-wide-paving-machine-in-use-on-US-35.aspx

It would be nice to see this applied on more roads but it requires the closure of both lanes of traffic.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Black-Man on May 17, 2022, 09:35:28 PM
“Open road tolling”  is not mentioned in the article, so probably not.

Only in West Virginia do they spend $25 million only to get the technology of 20 years ago. One of the employees told me they don't have an electronic rate to justify free flow high speed lanes. It's the same attitude that kept the Turnpike 2 lanes until the 1980s. If they would just get the word out on what a great deal the EZPass system is on the Turnpike, their electronic rate would increase. But they want to keep it a secret to the out-of-state crowd because... muh money for a corrupt bureaucracy.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on May 17, 2022, 11:37:41 PM
“Open road tolling”  is not mentioned in the article, so probably not.

Only in West Virginia do they spend $25 million only to get the technology of 20 years ago. One of the employees told me they don't have an electronic rate to justify free flow high speed lanes. It's the same attitude that kept the Turnpike 2 lanes until the 1980s. If they would just get the word out on what a great deal the EZPass system is on the Turnpike, their electronic rate would increase. But they want to keep it a secret to the out-of-state crowd because... muh money for a corrupt bureaucracy.

There are a number of government/authority projects that get mislabeled.  I highly suspect that this upgrade also includes new toll booths, canopies, improved access tunnels, new conduits (perhaps in new ductbank tunnels) along with all of the central computer gadgets.  That certainly doesn't cost $25M, but keeping seven or eight toll booths operating while this is all being constructed probably adds more than $10M to the project. 
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on May 18, 2022, 09:00:41 PM
Only in West Virginia do they spend $25 million only to get the technology of 20 years ago. One of the employees told me they don't have an electronic rate to justify free flow high speed lanes. It's the same attitude that kept the Turnpike 2 lanes until the 1980s. If they would just get the word out on what a great deal the EZPass system is on the Turnpike, their electronic rate would increase. But they want to keep it a secret to the out-of-state crowd because... muh money for a corrupt bureaucracy.

There are a number of government/authority projects that get mislabeled.  I highly suspect that this upgrade also includes new toll booths, canopies, improved access tunnels, new conduits (perhaps in new ductbank tunnels) along with all of the central computer gadgets.  That certainly doesn't cost $25M, but keeping seven or eight toll booths operating while this is all being constructed probably adds more than $10M to the project. 

There's been no talk of any other improvements. If there were going to be new toll booths or anything of that scale, I hazard to guess someone in WV media would have picked up on it. New conduits seem likely to support the new toll collection system, but I suspect anything else is out of scope.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Bitmapped on May 18, 2022, 09:04:19 PM
Turned out, WVDOH invested in a double-wide machine to lay down asphalt: https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Twice-as-nice-Double-wide-paving-machine-in-use-on-US-35.aspx

It would be nice to see this applied on more roads but it requires the closure of both lanes of traffic.

That's not WVDOH's paving machine, it's a contractor's. WVDOH very rarely uses median crossovers, even in projects where they would make a whole lot of sense, so I doubt you'll see many cases where a double-wide machine could be used.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on June 29, 2022, 09:50:23 PM
You are in luck... these bridges I have not yet photographed because they look very worn down. I'm glad they are painting both spans in differing colors - which are also the state's official colors and not the colors of the Ukrainian flag (sadly, a lot of online commenters are not aware of that).

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/EbrJQ8ugKh8C1WtTAd27RjdEe_DDgl-t_8eJClqcKMgeWDEfh5aU-gZV-b9RBeG0DNfgCGDD_SukFGEI8rV5c-1MPAeOZbVKi702ihYc1z24ib7GF_fnQc3bc-SbQjVh1l_wDz0kMPc4N69F1vNuAE_cbMCIBw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/080f252423c85c3ee848d51b1/images/c3359a68-1b42-77a7-2275-2fc15c1af51d.jpg)

That's more like it.  Its not "state road yaller", but that certainly looks like a modern-day WVU color scheme.

While passing over the southbound bridge (original Chuck Yeager span over the Kanawha River) about ten days ago, I noticed that support structure under the northbound lanes had already been painted the new bright WVU yellow color.  Both of the through truss structures appear to be stripped down and awaiting the final paint job to begin.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on June 30, 2022, 03:54:20 PM
The other note from West Virginia:  almost all of the original BGS structures on I-64 in Charleston and South Charleston that were made from COR-TEN steel have been replaced.  I did see one smaller cantilevered sign overhanging the westbound lanes between the two cities.  There may still be others.  The original BGS structures were made of rectangular sections of square box beams, and those had a corrugated mesh COR-TEN lining (that similar to chain-link fencing).  The corrugated lining was removed from all of the signs at least ten years ago.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on June 30, 2022, 08:16:53 PM
There was an article in the local newspaper when that was happening ... about 20 years ago? The Corten steel was deteriorating prematurely because of a combination of deicing chemicals and vibrations from passing vehicles. I'm not sure what the difference is between the ones put up in Charleston and Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: Dirt Roads on June 30, 2022, 08:43:26 PM
The other note from West Virginia:  almost all of the original BGS structures on I-64 in Charleston and South Charleston that were made from COR-TEN steel have been replaced.  I did see one smaller cantilevered sign overhanging the westbound lanes between the two cities.  There may still be others.  The original BGS structures were made of rectangular sections of square box beams, and those had a corrugated mesh COR-TEN lining (that similar to chain-link fencing).  The corrugated lining was removed from all of the signs at least ten years ago.

There was an article in the local newspaper when that was happening ... about 20 years ago? The Corten steel was deteriorating prematurely because of a combination of deicing chemicals and vibrations from passing vehicles. I'm not sure what the difference is between the ones put up in Charleston and Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA.

I would suspect that the situation was worse in Baltimore and Philadelphia, due to the proximity to brackish saltwater.  The corrosion process serves to protect the structural properties of COR-TEN steel, but I'm sure that the mesh background simply crumbled away over time (as would any steel mesh).  COR-TEN supposedly has issues with exposure to saltwater and corrosive chemicals, but last time I checked, so does almost every other type of steel.  It wouldn't surprise me that the mini-welds between the box beams and the mesh were the main issue.

Here's a map showing the locations of all the original COR-TEN signs in West Virginia:
(https://api.intechopen.com/media/chapter/77490/media/F4.png)
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 01, 2022, 09:27:21 AM
Galvanized steel does not exhibit those same issues. It's the main reason why NYSDOT stopped installing Corten guardrails several years ago as many of the Corten guardrails that had been installed were simply rusting apart. They went back to Galvanized steel which does not have the same issue.

It makes me wonder if the New River Gorge Bridge is a low/no salt zone for that reason. Somewhat related, I've seen the installation of unpainted galvanized steel for bridge beams in greater concentrations in multiple states - West Virginia included.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: VTGoose on July 06, 2022, 03:52:45 PM
Cardinal News (formed as the Roanoke Times sinks into oblivion) had an article on Wednesday about the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia. See "Off the beaten path" at https://cardinalnews.org/2022/07/06/off-the-beaten-path/
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: The Ghostbuster on July 06, 2022, 07:46:44 PM
I have serious doubts that the Coalfields Expressway will ever make it to US 23, let alone leave West Virginia. I have a feeling the state may eventually give up trying to construct the CE, given its been constructed at a slower-than-a-snail pace.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 17, 2022, 06:33:11 PM
I've heard rumors of the Beckley service area scheduled for replacement or extensive rebuilding within the next five years. The service plaza was opened in 1993 (and replaced an original Glass House).

Probably one of the best amenities that has been added in recent years, and a trend that I'm seeing being added at other service areas (i.e. along the New York State Thruway) are showers for motorists, RV drivers, and truck drivers - or for folks like me who camp at places with no amenities. The showers at Beckley were added several years back and typically cost about $7/shower, which is about half the price of a typical truck stop. The closest truck stop with showers is either Cross Lanes or Ripley to the north or well into Virginia to the south and east.

I am hoping that a rebuild includes more of a "food hall" concept or at least a place that's not nearly as dreary or barren, more parking for trucks and RV drivers, and Superchargers (or reliable high-speed EV charging ports). The truck parking facilities are completely maxed out pretty much every night, and the general parking area can be near capacity during the day. A lot of RV drivers will park in the lower area of the Tamarack, which allows it for overnight stays.

I am hoping that if this and others are rebuilt (Morton and Bluestone opened in 1991) that they will also offer showers and charging ports.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on July 17, 2022, 09:45:45 PM
A lot of these kinds of stops do need to change a few years down the road in order to accommodate the ostensible continuing adoption of EVs. This is why I feel Buc-ee's and Sheetz are able to find funding for rapid expansion since they are capable of accommodating charging culture which will involve far longer stops than the typical 5-minute ICE fill-up. Even if they don't have a bunch of chargers now, new Sheetz and all Buc-ee's are plenty big to add them. Will sit-down at service plazas return? It could!

As far as a food hall like you see in the city... hmmm, not so sure. Most road trippers don't lean hipster-lite like food hall patrons -- they are a bunch of families led by old Xers that don't want anything weird. I'm 8 months from being a Millennial and I don't want that on a road trip either. Too afraid it won't be enough energy or a total 2300 calorie blaster. It doesn't seem like there is a middle ground with those places like you see with fast food or a meal from like, Denny's.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: vdeane on July 18, 2022, 12:57:07 PM
^ Sheetz is perfect for EVs, with their high-quality restrooms, MTO food, convenience store options, and both indoor and outdoor seating.  Does Buc-ee's have indoor seating?  If not, it might be something to look in to, so people don't have to sit in their cars to eat.

I wonder if pull-out tables could be a thing in EVs, to provide a more convenient way to eat at places that don't have somewhere to eat inside.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 18, 2022, 06:15:09 PM
Sheetz was one of the earliest chains to install Tesla Superchargers, which are now open to any vehicle that has a compatible plug that works with theirs. And Superchargers are incredibly reliable and fairly fast.

The problem is with other companies - their chargers are just not reliable (https://jalopnik.com/almost-a-quarter-of-all-public-ev-chargers-in-the-bay-a-1849022357). You either have outlets that don't work at all or provide lower charging speeds than advertised. Their self-reported 95% reliability is a joke.

As far as Buc-ee's go... no indoor seating and at least with their brand new one near Richmond, Kentucky, it has -zero- EV chargers. I was flabbergasted at both. I can see not having indoor seating since the place was absolutely packed to the gills with people standing and I'm not sure where seating could be placed at without having to dramatically expand the size of the already large store. There were no tables outside, either. I'm sure it's by design to keep people moving and not lingering around too much as parking is a premium.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: GCrites80s on July 18, 2022, 08:20:28 PM
They'll figure it out, -- EV adoption is so low in Kentucky right now since there's little infrastructure for it in place there. Buc-ee's probably didn't make it a priority at this time.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: hbelkins on July 19, 2022, 01:27:04 PM
I don't think any Buc-ee's has seating available. When I paid a visit to the Richmond location, a family was sitting on the sidewalk beneath the storefront canopy to eat.

Congressman Thomas Massie famously drives a Tesla and has mentioned that he has to time his trips and schedule his stops between Lewis County, Ky., and DC. He typically drives instead of flying between the Capitol and home. I'm guessing the installation of chargers at Sheetz locations greatly helps his journey.

Sheetz has even retrofitted some of its older locations, such as Weston, WV, for the chargers.
Title: Re: West Virginia (excuding Eastern Panhandle)
Post by: seicer on July 19, 2022, 03:17:09 PM
West Virginia was one of the earlier adopters of EV chargers and still has some of the highest ratios of chargers to EVs out there. Superchargers are plenty along interstates because of Sheetz alone, but other brands are a lot more scattered and practically non-existent in rural areas (think the southwest coalfields, along US 33, etc.).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on September 23, 2022, 09:20:19 PM
https://historicaerials.com/location/38.13833658007435/-82.55922107513832/T1977/14
Interesting bit about US 52's realignment when the Tolsia Highway was being developed along the Big Sandy River in the mid-1970s and 1980s. It formerly followed WV 152, but what I wasn't aware of was that by 1975, it had been re-routed along WV 37 from Echo to Fort Gay - this is when the newer segment near Fort Gay had been completed. It opened north of WV 37 along the river in 1980.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on September 27, 2022, 01:35:48 PM
https://historicaerials.com/location/38.13833658007435/-82.55922107513832/T1977/14
Interesting bit about US 52's realignment when the Tolsia Highway was being developed along the Big Sandy River in the mid-1970s and 1980s. It formerly followed WV 152, but what I wasn't aware of was that by 1975, it had been re-routed along WV 37 from Echo to Fort Gay - this is when the newer segment near Fort Gay had been completed. It opened north of WV 37 along the river in 1980.

I guess that would have been a net improvement in routing. WV 152 is awful south of Wayne.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on September 27, 2022, 02:13:19 PM
The mistake the state made on US 52 was in not buying a 4 lane ROW, even if only building 2 lanes at the time.  The area was very rural and the land was not very valuable.  Now it is a heavily industrialized area.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on October 27, 2022, 11:44:24 AM
. https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/27/new-nitro-st-albans-bridge-open-this-weekend/
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 27, 2022, 04:08:47 PM
https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/27/new-nitro-st-albans-bridge-open-this-weekend/

By the way, no matter what the DOH says, that is not the Nitro-St. Albans Bridge.  It is the new I-64 twin span between Exit 44 (St. Albans exit) and Exit 45 (Nitro exit), which is nowhere near St. Albans.  Looks like Nitro has annexed the entirety of I-64 bridge over the Kanawha River.

By the way, the real Nitro-St. Albans Bridge between the two cities is designated as WV-25 Spur (unposted).  Folks in St. Albans (which is not quite double the population of Nitro) have always complained about the name, and so folks on the south side of the Kanawha call it the St. Albans-Nitro Bridge.  In traditional West Virginia fashion, the original bridge there was always known as the Nitro-St. Albans Toll Bridge (or St. Albans-Nitro Toll Bridge), even though the tolls were dropped in the mid-1940s.  I guess it didn't make any sense to keep the Toll Bridge moniker after the original structure was demolished in 2014.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 27, 2022, 04:14:17 PM
I was shocked how fast they got the new bridge up.

But... there is conflicting information on WVDOH's website about the project. The new bridge is staying? Or being replaced?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on October 28, 2022, 09:16:56 AM
https://www.wsaz.com/2022/10/27/new-nitro-st-albans-bridge-open-this-weekend/

By the way, no matter what the DOH says, that is not the Nitro-St. Albans Bridge.  It is the new I-64 twin span between Exit 44 (St. Albans exit) and Exit 45 (Nitro exit), which is nowhere near St. Albans.  Looks like Nitro has annexed the entirety of I-64 bridge over the Kanawha River.

By the way, the real Nitro-St. Albans Bridge between the two cities is designated as WV-25 Spur (unposted).  Folks in St. Albans (which is not quite double the population of Nitro) have always complained about the name, and so folks on the south side of the Kanawha call it the St. Albans-Nitro Bridge.  In traditional West Virginia fashion, the original bridge there was always known as the Nitro-St. Albans Toll Bridge (or St. Albans-Nitro Toll Bridge), even though the tolls were dropped in the mid-1940s.  I guess it didn't make any sense to keep the Toll Bridge moniker after the original structure was demolished in 2014.

Remember that this section of interstate was built in1962.  The policy then was to use the nearest town of some consequence.  Also remember that the road ended there for some time, with traffic pushed down what is today WV 817 towards US 60 and St. Albans.  But, 100%, the exit isn’t even in the same county as St. Albans, and nobody who lives near the exit (who would have addresses in Winfield) would say they live in St. Albans. 

I was shocked how fast they got the new bridge up.

But... there is conflicting information on WVDOH's website about the project. The new bridge is staying? Or being replaced?

There are at least 3 different sets of pages on this project on the DOT website.  Each reflecting the ideas or plans of the time they were posted, no one seems to be the web master and take stuff down.  There are dozens of pages of information on projects that have been finished for 10 years or more as well.

But, I believe that the current plan is to remove everything except the piers and construct a twin bridge to the new one.  The new bridge is maybe 10 feet higher than the current one. 

There remains a lot of work to be done on the Nitro side of the bridge, including new bridges over WV 25 and adding exit lanes, which has not even started.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 28, 2022, 09:28:53 AM
That's what the Charleston Gazette-Mail seems to have indicated, too. The old bridge will be lifted onto a barge and cut up elsewhere. The piers will be reused. I'm sure they will have to do some modifications to the pier caps to accommodate the new girders and to raise the profile.

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/kanawha_valley/new-i-64-span-to-begin-carrying-traffic-on-saturday/article_2d6d2241-e485-5d6b-9b6e-271a7baefef3.html
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 28, 2022, 09:13:04 PM
Remember that this section of interstate was built in1962.  The policy then was to use the nearest town of some consequence.  Also remember that the road ended there for some time, with traffic pushed down what is today WV 817 towards US 60 and St. Albans.  But, 100%, the exit isn’t even in the same county as St. Albans, and nobody who lives near the exit (who would have addresses in Winfield) would say they live in St. Albans. 

Amazingly, the nearby businesses do indeed have St. Albans addresses, but those businesses along the river north of I-64 have Winfield addresses.  The exit ramp itself appears to be the dividing line.  Homes along Teays Valley Road and Scary Road have Scott Depot addresses, and the homes up Vintroux Hollow (pronounced holler) have always had St. Albans addresses.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 28, 2022, 10:53:06 PM
Well, the new bridge is now officially designed the... Nitro WWI Memorial Bridge. A nod to the town's unique history. At least it's not named after yet another politician or human being.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: GCrites80s on October 29, 2022, 10:55:55 AM
So a Veterans bridge
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 29, 2022, 02:51:47 PM
Well, the new bridge is now officially designed the... Nitro WWI Memorial Bridge. A nod to the town's unique history. At least it's not named after yet another politician or human being.

So a Veterans bridge

Not quite.  Nitro was a factory town built for the production of nitrocellulose (redwop) for the war effort in the War to End All Wars (ergo WWI).

By the way, the original bridge that will be demolished and rebuilt was named after Donald M. Legg, a local steelworker who fell to his death in 1962 during the bridge construction.  Sorry for reposting old information, but locals called the old structure the "Green Bridge", even during the time it was painted blue.  Truckers referred to the old structure as the "Stinky Bridge", after a different chemical plant in Nitro located next to the I-64 viaduct that stored mercaptin (the smelly additive for natural gas).  That plant is long gone, but the legend of that stench remains engraved in the nose of many locals.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 29, 2022, 09:00:10 PM
And it's interesting that the plant was never put into production as the War ended before it was complete.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on October 30, 2022, 12:38:18 PM
90% of road and bridge namings are ignored by the general population both in WV and nationwide.   If a road feature needs a unique name, truckers or others will come up with their own names as needed.  Route numbers and MPs are all you really need in most situations.

To answer some questions above, the westbound lanes are now on the new bridge, it will take maybe 2 weeks to construct the temporary transition for the east bound lanes.   The main span of the old bridge will be lifted by cranes and dropped down onto a barge and taken away for recycling.  The rest will be demolished locally.  The piers will be cut down to just above water level, then added to from that point to reach the level of the new bridge.  A new bridge will be delivered by barge, as was the new westbound one. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: bluecountry on October 31, 2022, 10:06:05 AM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on October 31, 2022, 10:49:18 AM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

Corridor D would be unnecessarily close to Corridor E (I-68). Corridor H is also more useful in providing connectivity - Buckhannon and Elkins are larger towns than Grafton, and  the Corridor H alignment is more useful as a jumping-off point to places south than US 50 would have been.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on October 31, 2022, 10:50:26 AM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

I wondered the same thing back in the 1970s.  It's not like parallel corridors are discouraged, such as Corridor A and Corridor K in Western North Carolina. 

My impression is that the massive cost of the east-west crossings of the Allegheny Front limited the number of parallel Appalachian Corridors in the region.  You've got several potential east-west corridors:

Zanesville -to- New Martinsville -to- Morgantown -to- Frostburg -to- Cumberland -to- Hagerstown
Athens -to- Parkersburg -to- Clarksburg -to- Grafton -to- Red House -to- Romney -to- Winchester
Jackson -to- Pomeroy -to- Ripley -to- Spencer -to- Weston -to- Buckhannon -to- Elkins -to- Harrisonburg
Huntington -to- Charleston -to- Summersville -to- Marlinton -to- Staunton
Prestonsburg -to- Williamson -to- Logan -to- Beckley -to- Lewisburg -to- Covington -to- Lexington

Amazingly, one a few of these didn't get connected to by the Appalachian Corridor system (or the Interstate System):  Grafton WV, Jackson OH, New Martinsville WV, Pomeroy OH, Red House MD, Romney WV and Spencer WV.  Looking back with a historical lens, it looks to me that the ARC picked the least expensive routes with the most impact (with the exception of the one remaining section of Corridor H and the one prior to it).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 31, 2022, 12:33:31 PM
I would argue that today's Corridor H route is more beneficial than the former alignment... but it's always good to look at it from a different perspective. When Corridor H was proposed, the Davis/Thomas area were declined coal and timber communities that ... while surrounded by a state park (Blackwater Falls) and near some natural recreation areas, those sites were not fully developed or marketed. Dolly Sod was still just a Scenic Area and not a Wilderness, and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge was still an area that was proposed to be damned up for a pumped storage hydroelectric project. The original alignment led to an established recreation area by Seneca Rocks and areas in the Mon National Forest.

Fast forward 30-40 years and Davis/Thomas are fast becoming vacation communities for the eastern seaboard. Blackwater Falls is still there but more popular than ever; Dolly Sods is jam packed during the summer months; Canaan Valley is now a massive National Wildlife Refuge. Ski resorts aren't far away - Canaan Valley is close by and Snowshoe is just down the road - all easier to get to than if Corridor H was on its original alignment.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on November 03, 2022, 12:17:43 PM
 https://www.wsaz.com/2022/11/02/groundbreaking-ceremony-held-new-culloden-exit-i-64/

Badly needed new exit, between current Milton and Hurricane exits.  Traffic from the growing Culloden and western Hurricane areas make the area around the Hurricane exit very congested. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 03, 2022, 08:19:38 PM
I would argue that today's Corridor H route is more beneficial than the former alignment...

I'm inclined to agree with seicer's points. It's also worth noting the original eastern endpoint around Harrisonburg would have resulted in a lot of traffic having to multiplex onto I-81 to get up to I-66 whereas the new alignment has the two meeting fairly closely.

The more northern alignment has been useful in providing better connectivity between the Morgantown area and Moorefield/Shenandoah Valley in a way that the original alignment would not have been. Corridor H now forms the backbone of the preferred route between these areas, at least when it's not snowing.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on November 04, 2022, 08:13:46 PM
I would argue that today's Corridor H route is more beneficial than the former alignment...

I'm inclined to agree with seicer's points. It's also worth noting the original eastern endpoint around Harrisonburg would have resulted in a lot of traffic having to multiplex onto I-81 to get up to I-66 whereas the new alignment has the two meeting fairly closely.

The more northern alignment has been useful in providing better connectivity between the Morgantown area and Moorefield/Shenandoah Valley in a way that the original alignment would not have been. Corridor H now forms the backbone of the preferred route between these areas, at least when it's not snowing.

Not sure what happened to my response to the comment from seicer, so I will repeat:  I certainly agree that the extension of Corridor H from Parsons to the Virginia Line (heading towards Strasburg) is a better route.  It is just not one of the natural east-west corridors that fall in line with each other. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: bluecountry on November 07, 2022, 03:27:58 PM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

Corridor D would be unnecessarily close to Corridor E (I-68). Corridor H is also more useful in providing connectivity - Buckhannon and Elkins are larger towns than Grafton, and  the Corridor H alignment is more useful as a jumping-off point to places south than US 50 would have been.
My question was how come ARC did not just have Corridor D terminate at I-81 in Winchester via Route 50 vs having Corridor D end at I-79, then have a Corridor H instead serve from I-79 to I-81.  Wouldn't one segment have made more sense than having people have to do D-79-H to 81?

My guess is that this was done to have a Parsons to Washington DC/66 via Wardensville.
If there was no Corridor H and D was just extended to 81, that would have ended in Winchester, 20+ miles north of I-66.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on November 07, 2022, 06:39:40 PM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

Corridor D would be unnecessarily close to Corridor E (I-68). Corridor H is also more useful in providing connectivity - Buckhannon and Elkins are larger towns than Grafton, and  the Corridor H alignment is more useful as a jumping-off point to places south than US 50 would have been.
My question was how come ARC did not just have Corridor D terminate at I-81 in Winchester via Route 50 vs having Corridor D end at I-79, then have a Corridor H instead serve from I-79 to I-81.  Wouldn't one segment have made more sense than having people have to do D-79-H to 81?

My guess is that this was done to have a Parsons to Washington DC/66 via Wardensville.
If there was no Corridor H and D was just extended to 81, that would have ended in Winchester, 20+ miles north of I-66.

Like I said earlier, an extended Corridor D would have been too close to Corridor E east of I-79. That's a major factor in why Corridor D ends at I-79 and not I-81.

Parsons and Wardensville were not on the original planned route of Corridor H. The original route was to continue along US 33 east of Elkins. Issues with that route resulted in lawsuits and settlements that resulted in the realignment north towards its current route.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: bluecountry on November 12, 2022, 07:38:05 PM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

Corridor D would be unnecessarily close to Corridor E (I-68). Corridor H is also more useful in providing connectivity - Buckhannon and Elkins are larger towns than Grafton, and  the Corridor H alignment is more useful as a jumping-off point to places south than US 50 would have been.
My question was how come ARC did not just have Corridor D terminate at I-81 in Winchester via Route 50 vs having Corridor D end at I-79, then have a Corridor H instead serve from I-79 to I-81.  Wouldn't one segment have made more sense than having people have to do D-79-H to 81?

My guess is that this was done to have a Parsons to Washington DC/66 via Wardensville.
If there was no Corridor H and D was just extended to 81, that would have ended in Winchester, 20+ miles north of I-66.

Like I said earlier, an extended Corridor D would have been too close to Corridor E east of I-79. That's a major factor in why Corridor D ends at I-79 and not I-81.

Parsons and Wardensville were not on the original planned route of Corridor H. The original route was to continue along US 33 east of Elkins. Issues with that route resulted in lawsuits and settlements that resulted in the realignment north towards its current route.
Oh ok, so it had nothing to do with providing a more direct route to DC via Strasburg?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on November 12, 2022, 07:53:52 PM
West Virginia tried to get I-66 extended to Weston in 1970 - http://www.vahighways.com/wvannex/route-log/i066.htm

The map suggests it would've followed US 33 then VA 55 - http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/yellowbook/additions-1970.jpg
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: amroad17 on November 14, 2022, 03:41:47 AM
Any reason why when planning the ARC corridors, they had Corridor D end at I-79, and Corridor H as well?
Why not instead just have Corridor D follow Route 50 to I-81 instead?

Corridor D would be unnecessarily close to Corridor E (I-68). Corridor H is also more useful in providing connectivity - Buckhannon and Elkins are larger towns than Grafton, and  the Corridor H alignment is more useful as a jumping-off point to places south than US 50 would have been.
My question was how come ARC did not just have Corridor D terminate at I-81 in Winchester via Route 50 vs having Corridor D end at I-79, then have a Corridor H instead serve from I-79 to I-81.  Wouldn't one segment have made more sense than having people have to do D-79-H to 81?

My guess is that this was done to have a Parsons to Washington DC/66 via Wardensville.
If there was no Corridor H and D was just extended to 81, that would have ended in Winchester, 20+ miles north of I-66.

Like I said earlier, an extended Corridor D would have been too close to Corridor E east of I-79. That's a major factor in why Corridor D ends at I-79 and not I-81.

Parsons and Wardensville were not on the original planned route of Corridor H. The original route was to continue along US 33 east of Elkins. Issues with that route resulted in lawsuits and settlements that resulted in the realignment north towards its current route.
Oh ok, so it had nothing to do with providing a more direct route to DC via Strasburg?
I picked up a West Virginia state map in 1996 which showed the proposed routing of Corridor H.  I believe it was to have followed US 33 to Seneca Rocks, then headed up to Petersburg, then Moorefield, and then continued on its current routing east of Moorefield.  I do remember seeing US 33 shown on the map along this proposed routing. 

I believe US 33 was shown constructed to 4-lane expressway standards east of Elkins in preparation for Corridor H--which ended up not being a part of Corridor H because of the change of routing with reasons mentioned in the above posts, hence the nickname of "The Racetrack" given to that section of US 33.  A question I have is if US 33 was to be re-routed on the original proposed Corridor H, what would the current US 33 from Seneca Rocks to Richmond been renumbered as?  US 37?  US 48?

For another topic, why is WV 55 routed the way it is?  Is this a "we need a single number to get from US 19 to Moorefield"?  The extension of WV 55 should not have occurred in the first place as it is concurrent with other routes most of the way across the state.  WV 55 should end at US 220 in Moorefield and have the independent section of WV 55 from US 19 in Muddlety to WV 20 in Craigsville be two different state routes--an extension of WV 41 from where it currently ends at WV 55 to Craigsville and WV 555 along the rest of the route to Muddlety.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on November 14, 2022, 08:38:16 AM
WV 55 is marketing.  It was signed on the highest and/or most scenic roads in the general area.  As such it breaks the general rule that the most logical route between point a on a numbered route and point b on a numbered route, should be the numbered route, to some degree.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on November 14, 2022, 12:04:21 PM
I picked up a West Virginia state map in 1996 which showed the proposed routing of Corridor H.  I believe it was to have followed US 33 to Seneca Rocks, then headed up to Petersburg, then Moorefield, and then continued on its current routing east of Moorefield.  I do remember seeing US 33 shown on the map along this proposed routing. 

I believe US 33 was shown constructed to 4-lane expressway standards east of Elkins in preparation for Corridor H--which ended up not being a part of Corridor H because of the change of routing with reasons mentioned in the above posts, hence the nickname of "The Racetrack" given to that section of US 33.  A question I have is if US 33 was to be re-routed on the original proposed Corridor H, what would the current US 33 from Seneca Rocks to Richmond been renumbered as?  US 37?  US 48?

The Racetrack portion of US-33 east of Elkins was completed in 1976 before Corridor H was into the planning development stages along the general US-33 corridor from Elkins to Seneca Rocks.  US-33 would have certainly been posted along that portion of the route, but US-220 would have been posted up to Moorefield and US-33 would have continued along its current route to Harrisonburg.  There was some speculation that the more southerly route to New Market would have been a westward extension of US-211.  But the more northernly route to Strasburg would not have been designated as a 2DUS.  Corridor E was still posted as US-48 until 1991 (when it got upgraded to I-68). 


For another topic, why is WV 55 routed the way it is?  Is this a "we need a single number to get from US 19 to Moorefield"?  The extension of WV 55 should not have occurred in the first place as it is concurrent with other routes most of the way across the state.  WV 55 should end at US 220 in Moorefield and have the independent section of WV 55 from US 19 in Muddlety to WV 20 in Craigsville be two different state routes--an extension of WV 41 from where it currently ends at WV 55 to Craigsville and WV 555 along the rest of the route to Muddlety.

WV 55 is marketing.  It was signed on the highest and/or most scenic roads in the general area.  As such it breaks the general rule that the most logical route between point a on a numbered route and point b on a numbered route, should be the numbered route, to some degree.

Indeed, WV-55 was intended to be a scenic route but the more important factor was that the numbering was intended to be a continuation of VA-55 from Strasburg, a logical pickup for tourists coming off of I-66 from the Washington D.C. metro area.

I've mentioned the scenic significance of the former WV-43 route from Muddlety -to- Craigsville on both AARoads and MTR, but it bears discussion again here.  That route was the more scenic road to Craigsville than WV-41.  The just south of Craigsville, there is a scenic overlook of the Gauley River at Crupperneck Bend, a spectacular horseshoe bend in the river.  WV-39 between Summersville and Fenwick was more direct, but most West Virginians preferred that scenic route to get from Charleston over to the Cranberry Highlands.  In 1979, WV-150 (the Highland Scenic Highway) got extended over WV-39, WV-20 and usurped WV-43 to make this route official.  Then in 1983, WV-55 was extended over this same route and WV-150 was truncated back to its former origination point.

Fun fact: WV-55 had to be routed through Marlinton in order to maintain a continuous route in the Winter.  Just like other scenic parkways high up in the Appalachians,  the Highland Scenic way (WV-150) is prone to dense snow and is usually closed for much of the Winter months.  But rather than clinching WV-55, everyone's first time from Summersville -to- Strasburg should take the Highlands Scenic Highway as the intended scenic bypass of WV-55 (and those portions of WV-39 and US-219).  [Unless you want to visit the quaint town of Marlinton].
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on November 15, 2022, 01:31:22 PM
I remember the maps showing WV 55 running only from Moorefield to the state line. There was no concurrency with US 220, WV 28, US 33, US 219, WV 39, etc.

I also remember seeing, but am not sure if I ever got a picture of, some sort of black-on-white reference marker on the "racetrack" segment of US 33 that made reference to APD. There occasionally used to be similar markers on other routes, and I remember seeing one on I-79 somewhere between Charleston and Weston.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on January 16, 2023, 01:09:28 AM
https://www.lootpress.com/new-bill-would-increase-speed-limits-to-80-mph-on-interstates/

West Virginia must be crazy enough to raise the speed limits from 70 to 80 mph on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in the state. This is round 4!  :pan:
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on January 16, 2023, 02:06:32 AM
^ Didn’t they already get 75 mph authorized a few years ago? Why haven’t any interstates been signed as 75 mph since?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on January 16, 2023, 08:40:25 AM
^ Didn’t they already get 75 mph authorized a few years ago? Why haven’t any interstates been signed as 75 mph since?
There is no limit in state code. The Commissioner of Highways could set 75, but it needs to bear some relationship to the road itself. Design speeds don’t support a 75 speed limit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Ted$8roadFan on January 16, 2023, 08:45:56 AM
https://www.lootpress.com/new-bill-would-increase-speed-limits-to-80-mph-on-interstates/

West Virginia must be crazy enough to raise the speed limits from 70 to 80 mph on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in the state. This is round 4!  :pan:

Can any interstate in WV handle an 80 mph speed limit?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on January 16, 2023, 09:22:21 AM
- It is legislative season.  In WV, and I'm sure most states, 1000s of bills are introduced, 99% of which never get even to the floor, but people get all worked up about these anyway. 

- All speed limit discussions go back to the NMSL.  Advocates for it (police, courthouse insiders, insurance companies, and, most sadly, the useful idiots who open their yaps about subjects they do not understand) spewed their idiocy, those of us who understand traffic and safety quietly made our points.  We were right and you were wrong.  That simple.  Yet people still express their ideas on this subject.  OF COURSE, 80 MPH in WV is a great idea.  It won't pass, but of course it would free police for useful work, save motorists millions of dollars in random taxes and unfair insurance costs, and have no (or perhaps a positive) effect on traffic mortality or morbidity.  Just as we correctly said would happen as the evil NMSL slowly went away. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: GCrites80s on January 16, 2023, 08:54:00 PM
WV is an aging state demographically and I wonder how many seniors it would force off the roads. WV isn't like Ohio and many other states where one can often take the U.S. or former U.S. route that parallels the interstate without adding hours and hours to the trip. 70 is manageable for many seniors but 80 is pushing it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on January 16, 2023, 09:00:55 PM
https://www.lootpress.com/new-bill-would-increase-speed-limits-to-80-mph-on-interstates/

West Virginia must be crazy enough to raise the speed limits from 70 to 80 mph on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in the state. This is round 4!  :pan:

Can any interstate in WV handle an 80 mph speed limit?

I-64 from the I-77 split to near the bottom of the mountain where it crosses the New River.  :-D

Seriously, it's not uncommon for me to look down at the speedometer when I'm on I-64 between Barboursville and Milton and find myself doing 80, and being passed with some regularity.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: oscar on January 16, 2023, 09:26:48 PM
WV is an aging state demographically and I wonder how many seniors it would force off the roads. WV isn't like Ohio and many other states where one can often take the U.S. or former U.S. route that parallels the interstate without adding hours and hours to the trip. 70 is manageable for many seniors but 80 is pushing it.

It's a speed limit, not a target or minimum.

I drove across Montana on I-94 to I-90, in the "reasonable and prudent" era (no fixed daytime speed limit for cars). Little old ladies who were most comfortable with 65 mph did that, in the right lane, while I carefully passed them in the left lane. I think they're still doing that, after R&P limits were replaced with fixed limits (usually 80mph on the Interstates).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: amroad17 on January 16, 2023, 10:59:00 PM
https://www.lootpress.com/new-bill-would-increase-speed-limits-to-80-mph-on-interstates/

West Virginia must be crazy enough to raise the speed limits from 70 to 80 mph on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in the state. This is round 4!  :pan:

Can any interstate in WV handle an 80 mph speed limit?
In reality, NO!!!  The closest would be the section of I-64 from Barboursville to Hurricane and maybe the section of I-64 from the Morris Branch Road overpass in Lawn to Lewisburg.  Both distances are around 20 miles--which is not even worth posting an 80 mph speed limit for that section.

70 mph is fine for the Interstates in West Virginia.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on January 17, 2023, 12:20:36 AM
^ I think 75 mph would be more reasonable in some areas.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on January 17, 2023, 11:20:44 AM
WV is an aging state demographically and I wonder how many seniors it would force off the roads. WV isn't like Ohio and many other states where one can often take the U.S. or former U.S. route that parallels the interstate without adding hours and hours to the trip. 70 is manageable for many seniors but 80 is pushing it.

"Things said about ending 55, then 65, but were dead wrong." ??

Actually, the only parts of the WV interstate system that should not be at least 80 are the mis-designed northern third of the Turnpike, a short urban section through Charleston and a yet shorter section through Wheeling.  Corridors, which most also need a large amount of stop light removal, could almost all go to 70 or 75. 

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on January 17, 2023, 11:31:32 AM
https://wchstv.com/news/local/doh-closed-walkway-to-be-demolished-as-part-of-bridge-painting-project-in-charleston#

The enclosed walkways and staircases, which were built to allow foot traffic from the mostly poor neighborhood on the hillside down into the downtown which was being cut off by the interstate's construction, were rarely used for the intended purpose and became a haven for dope dealing, prostitution, and gang violence.  The city, which really had no authority, just padlocked it in the mid-90s and nobody really objected. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on January 17, 2023, 12:51:43 PM
I always thought they were novel and active until I walked up to see them a few years back. I hadn't realized they were closed off and just walked right in (the padlocks had long been cut). It smelled to high heaven of urine, and there was evidence of people sleeping there. The highway is looking a little long in the tooth so this should help alleviate some of the visual issues. I hope they can get around to rehabbing the pavement soon, too.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on January 17, 2023, 06:52:10 PM
WV is an aging state demographically and I wonder how many seniors it would force off the roads. WV isn't like Ohio and many other states where one can often take the U.S. or former U.S. route that parallels the interstate without adding hours and hours to the trip. 70 is manageable for many seniors but 80 is pushing it.

"Things said about ending 55, then 65, but were dead wrong." ??

Actually, the only parts of the WV interstate system that should not be at least 80 are the mis-designed northern third of the Turnpike, a short urban section through Charleston and a yet shorter section through Wheeling.  Corridors, which most also need a large amount of stop light removal, could almost all go to 70 or 75.
The corridors were actually authorized for 70 mph previously, but was then removed because it wouldn’t be “practical”  or “safe” . I haven’t driven a lot of the corridors, but I do remember US-19 between I-77 and I-79 last year, and most of the road could easily a posted speed limit of 70 mph, especially if some of the signals were removed.

As far as the 80 mph interstate speed limit… I do recall I-79 being a quite curvy route the last couple times I drove on it… many of the curves could not safely be taken above 70 or 75 mph in a large vehicle… I was maintaining 75-80 mph and a lot of the curves were decently sharp… I couldn’t see them making 80 mph the speed limit, unless they posted curve advisories for 65 or 70 mph every couple miles.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on January 17, 2023, 07:32:44 PM
Corridors D (US 50), H (US 48), L (US 19) and that portion of Q (US 460) east of I-77, can easily be driven at 70 mph without issue. Most of Corridor G (US 119), not so much.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 1995hoo on March 08, 2023, 02:15:11 PM
I took at look at the 80-mph bill and what I found interesting was its wording. The resolution the legislature passed a few years ago gave the state DOT the authority to post 75-mph speed limits but didn't require such. The bill now in committee seems to give the DOT less discretion, although surely there is some other provision that would allow for discretion to post lower limits where appropriate. The West Virginia Turnpike's twisty section comes to mind as one that should never be posted at 80 mph.

I also don't know how West Virginia defines "four-lane limited access highways" and whether roads like Corridor H qualify. I note that West Virginia road signs use the word "freeway" to refer to some divided highways with at-grade intersections and that's what prompts me to wonder.

Quote
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 34

By Senator Karnes

[Introduced January 11, 2023; referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17C-6-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the establishment of an 80 miles per hour speed limit on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in this state; and providing an exception for portions of those highways passing through city limits.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
 
ARTICLE 6. SPEED RESTRICTIONS.
§17C-6-2. Establishment of state speed zones.

(a) Whenever the State Road Commissioner shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit set forth in this article is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a highway, said the commissioner may determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit thereat which shall be effective at all times or during hours of daylight or darkness or at such other times as may be determined when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersection or other place or part of the highway.

(b) Effective July 1, 2023, the commissioner shall establish a speed limit of 80 miles per hour on interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways in this state: Provided, That this increased speed limit does not apply to portions of interstate highways and four-lane limited access highways that pass through the city limits of municipalities.


(edited to add the second paragraph prior to the quoted bill)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on March 08, 2023, 02:31:37 PM
Corridor routes and areas with strict access control would qualify as "four-lane limited access highways" in this bill. That would include all Corridor routes and a few specific other highways - such as US 250 south of Wheeling, WV 2 south of Weirton, WV 43, WV 9, US 33 east of Elkins, US 340, etc. I think we've debated freeways versus expressways here before, but West Virginia believes that some of its expressways are freeways even though they have at-grade intersections.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 08, 2023, 02:33:55 PM
Those routes would technically be considered four lane limited access, given they are both four lanes wide (2 in each direction) and have a limited access right of way (no private driveways).

However, they would not technically be considered freeways (with full control of access), outside of what West Virginia may think.

If this bill passes, I imagine 80 mph would largely only be posted on I-64. The Turnpike and I-79 are too curvy to safely handle a higher legal limit (I’ve certainly hit 80 mph on I-79, but it’s definitely tight around a lot of corners). Maybe 75 mph could be permitted in some areas? I’m not sure about I-77 north of Charleston, it’s been many years since I’ve driven that portion.

I-64 west of Charleston and I-64 east of Beckley seem straight enough in most areas to legally permit 80 mph.

Didn’t the DOT specifically not post even 70 mph on the corridor highways? I could certainly never see them being 80 mph… Texas does not even post above 75 mph on non-freeways. I could reasonably see them going to 70 mph, but they seem pretty adamant on 65 mph.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 08, 2023, 08:06:31 PM
Corridor routes and areas with strict access control would qualify as "four-lane limited access highways" in this bill. That would include all Corridor routes and a few specific other highways - such as US 250 south of Wheeling, WV 2 south of Weirton, WV 43, WV 9, US 33 east of Elkins, US 340, etc. I think we've debated freeways versus expressways here before, but West Virginia believes that some of its expressways are freeways even though they have at-grade intersections.

Also US 35.

There seems to be universal confusion over terms such as "controlled access" and "limited access." I remember seeing the terms "access fully controlled" and "access partially controlled" on West Virginia maps. Being from Kentucky, I'm more familiar with the term "limited access" and its meaning here, which is a full freeway with no at-grade intersections and all intersections being grade-separated interchanges. West Virginia uses "fully controlled" for freeways and "partially controlled" for the surface routes that have at-grade intersections and private access to the road is by permit only.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: GCrites80s on March 08, 2023, 09:09:21 PM
I feel like I've seen those terms on signs as well in WV.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on March 08, 2023, 09:47:10 PM
Design speeds also need to be taken into account. Many of the corridor routes are older, with some routes still sporting minimal left shoulders and curbed grassy medians, blind intersections, and too many intersections with traffic lights. There is a huge difference in design between the oldest Corridor G segments and those along Corridor H. Even relatively new segments of Corridor H are getting sullied with too many traffic lights, making 70-75 MPH speeds unrealistic.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on March 08, 2023, 09:47:59 PM
Corridor routes and areas with strict access control would qualify as "four-lane limited access highways" in this bill. That would include all Corridor routes and a few specific other highways - such as US 250 south of Wheeling, WV 2 south of Weirton, WV 43, WV 9, US 33 east of Elkins, US 340, etc. I think we've debated freeways versus expressways here before, but West Virginia believes that some of its expressways are freeways even though they have at-grade intersections.

Also US 35.

I noticed that US 35 sports the same unique blue milemarkers that are used elsewhere on Corridor highways.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 08, 2023, 09:59:37 PM
I also don't know how West Virginia defines "four-lane limited access highways" and whether roads like Corridor H qualify. I note that West Virginia road signs use the word "freeway" to refer to some divided highways with at-grade intersections and that's what prompts me to wonder.

Corridor routes and areas with strict access control would qualify as "four-lane limited access highways" in this bill. That would include all Corridor routes and a few specific other highways - such as US 250 south of Wheeling, WV 2 south of Weirton, WV 43, WV 9, US 33 east of Elkins, US 340, etc. I think we've debated freeways versus expressways here before, but West Virginia believes that some of its expressways are freeways even though they have at-grade intersections.


Also US 35.

There seems to be universal confusion over terms such as "controlled access" and "limited access." I remember seeing the terms "access fully controlled" and "access partially controlled" on West Virginia maps. Being from Kentucky, I'm more familiar with the term "limited access" and its meaning here, which is a full freeway with no at-grade intersections and all intersections being grade-separated interchanges. West Virginia uses "fully controlled" for freeways and "partially controlled" for the surface routes that have at-grade intersections and private access to the road is by permit only.

Historically, the WVDOH categorized the Appalachian Corridor highways as "Partially Limited Access" and they were shown on the "Official State Map" as such.  By 2007, the "Official State Map" showed them as "Access Partially Controlled" and that remains on the most recent version.  You'all are correct that there are some non-Appalachian Corridor highways included as "Access Partially Controlled", but for clarity here's what is shown on the most recent map (April 2022): 
Plus, the collector/distributor lanes for the US-250 Freeway at I-470 are shown as "Partially Limited Access" on each side of the freeway.  Bizarre!

It's not shown this way, but the entirety of WV-279 should also qualify as "Partially Limited Access".  But there are some places south of I-79 that have very narrow mountable cement medians.

*I'm sure that I didn't get them all in the correct order, but I tried to get the oldest sections first.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on March 08, 2023, 10:14:54 PM
Design speeds also need to be taken into account. Many of the corridor routes are older, with some routes still sporting minimal left shoulders and curbed grassy medians, blind intersections, and too many intersections with traffic lights. There is a huge difference in design between the oldest Corridor G segments and those along Corridor H. Even relatively new segments of Corridor H are getting sullied with too many traffic lights, making 70-75 MPH speeds unrealistic.
US-19 comes to mind as an example of a road that could easily handle 70 mph, particularly north of Summersville. It feels like a rural interstate highway in most areas.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: wriddle082 on March 09, 2023, 12:02:56 AM
I-77 north of Charleston does have a few questionable curves that may keep most of it from being raised any higher than 70.  Especially along the section where WV 2 is duplexed north of Ravenswood.  Also I think from just north of the I-79 split to around Pocatalico or Sissonville is also a little too curvy to go above 70.  But from Sissonville up through Ripley to Ravenswood is fairly straight and found be raised to at least 75.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Ted$8roadFan on March 09, 2023, 06:04:22 AM
More on the spread of the Washington, DC metro area into WV’s eastern panhandle:

https://ggwash.org/view/88769/is-west-virginia-ready-for-silver-line-growth
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on March 09, 2023, 02:39:51 PM
If this bill passes, I imagine 80 mph would largely only be posted on I-64. The Turnpike and I-79 are too curvy to safely handle a higher legal limit (I’ve certainly hit 80 mph on I-79, but it’s definitely tight around a lot of corners). Maybe 75 mph could be permitted in some areas? I’m not sure about I-77 north of Charleston, it’s been many years since I’ve driven that portion.

The bill is dead. SB 34 was never even discussed in committee. Any legislator can introduce a bill on anything; most, like this one, never go anywhere.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 14, 2023, 12:42:18 PM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 14, 2023, 04:19:50 PM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.

Perhaps you are talking about this bridge over I-64 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.756973,-81.1500237,3a,90y,28.15h,82.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D237.37473%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) that was a big topic of conversation in the Highest Overpasses thread a few years ago.

This is located just east of the I-64 high bridge over Tank Branch near Glen Morgan, not all that far from the Turnpike.  This bridge is different from other overpasses along I-64, and it appears to have been constructed as a railroad bridge.  Indeed, it is located on a semi-private road that is built along an old railroad grade to access a property just north of the Interstate.  The rails were still there when this section of I-64 was being designed, but the railroad had been abandoned and removed prior to construction. 

Not sure why WVDOH didn't redesign the bridge with AASHTO-standard beams, but it is possible that the Chessie System (my former employer) mandated that railroad access from Glen Morgan to the old mines just south of the Interstate be maintained.  Anywhoosit, this bridge stands out as a "unicorn" in these parts.

Here's my descriptor post (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8710.msg2576752#msg2576752) in the Highest Overpasses thread.  Quite frankly, this bridge doesn't look very tall to me (but I grew up watching the DOH build the New River Gorge Bridge).

Note: the link to the descriptor post in the Highest Overpasses thread has been corrected.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Black-Man on March 14, 2023, 09:22:26 PM

This is located just east of the I-64 high bridge over Tank Branch near Glen Morgan...

If the OG had just asked about the "Earl is Sexy" bridge, we would have all known where. And no... though I've probably passed the bridge 1000s of times, I do not know Earl and therefore cannot confirm the validity of this claim.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on March 15, 2023, 09:13:49 AM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.

Perhaps you are talking about this bridge over I-64 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.756973,-81.1500237,3a,90y,28.15h,82.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D237.37473%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) that was a big topic of conversation in the Highest Overpasses thread a few years ago.

This is located just east of the I-64 high bridge over Tank Branch near Glen Morgan, not all that far from the Turnpike.  This bridge is different from other overpasses along I-64, and it appears to have been constructed as a railroad bridge.  Indeed, it is located on a semi-private road that is built along an old railroad grade to access a property just north of the Interstate.  The rails were still there when this section of I-64 was being designed, but the railroad had been abandoned and removed prior to construction. 

Not sure why WVDOH didn't redesign the bridge with AASHTO-standard beams, but it is possible that the Chessie System (my former employer) mandated that railroad access from Glen Morgan to the old mines just south of the Interstate be maintained.  Anywhoosit, this bridge stands out as a "unicorn" in these parts.

Here's my descriptor post (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?action=post;quote=2828426;topic=13715.450) in the Highest Overpasses thread.  Quite frankly, this bridge doesn't look very tall to me (but I grew up watching the DOH build the New River Gorge Bridge).

I've never really looked at that bridge closely despite having passed under it hundreds of times. I'm not sure it was ever designed for railroad use because of the lightness of the steel girders. I checked USGS topos and can't find any line running up there, but did note that there was extensive strip mining on both sides at the time of the bridge's construction around 1986-88. It looks like it was to be an extension of Skyline Drive onto what is otherwise a landlocked piece of property.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 15, 2023, 11:41:33 AM
I've never really looked at that bridge closely despite having passed under it hundreds of times. I'm not sure it was ever designed for railroad use because of the lightness of the steel girders. I checked USGS topos and can't find any line running up there, but did note that there was extensive strip mining on both sides at the time of the bridge's construction around 1986-88. It looks like it was to be an extension of Skyline Drive onto what is otherwise a landlocked piece of property.

I'll admit that many other members of this forum said the same thing and that I had to [a great deal of research] to defend my original statement that it was a repurposed railroad bridge (which was indeed wrong, as this piece of railroad was abandoned a few years before this section of I-64 was completed).  Many of the gory details (and my retractions and corrections, as well as the other interesting findings about this branch line) are in the Highest Overpasses thread (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8710.msg2576752#msg2576752) in the pages leading up to this post. 

You mentioned Skyline Drive.  It and many of the other local roads here were once railroad spurs off this railroad line, all serving long abandoned coal mines.  The branch line itself included most of Mountain Edge Drive and a good chunk of Orchard Hill Road (leading down into Beaver).   Not all of it was C&O, but I don't remember all of the details.  This particular piece of railroad was originally the C&O Glade Creek and Raleigh Branch (later the Chessie System Glade Creek and Raleigh Subdivision).

The link to the Highest Overpasses thread has been corrected.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 15, 2023, 12:58:42 PM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.

Perhaps you are talking about this bridge over I-64 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.756973,-81.1500237,3a,90y,28.15h,82.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D237.37473%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) that was a big topic of conversation in the Highest Overpasses thread a few years ago.

This is located just east of the I-64 high bridge over Tank Branch near Glen Morgan, not all that far from the Turnpike.  This bridge is different from other overpasses along I-64, and it appears to have been constructed as a railroad bridge.  Indeed, it is located on a semi-private road that is built along an old railroad grade to access a property just north of the Interstate.  The rails were still there when this section of I-64 was being designed, but the railroad had been abandoned and removed prior to construction. 

Not sure why WVDOH didn't redesign the bridge with AASHTO-standard beams, but it is possible that the Chessie System (my former employer) mandated that railroad access from Glen Morgan to the old mines just south of the Interstate be maintained.  Anywhoosit, this bridge stands out as a "unicorn" in these parts.

Here's my descriptor post (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8710.msg2576752#msg2576752) in the Highest Overpasses thread.  Quite frankly, this bridge doesn't look very tall to me (but I grew up watching the DOH build the New River Gorge Bridge).

Note: the link to the descriptor post in the Highest Overpasses thread has been corrected.

No. It was much higher than that. It was hundreds of feet up. I had to tip my head back to see it when I was close. The bridge was at least 10 times as high as its visible span was long.

There were no supports going down to the freeway. It was entirely supported by the cliff. The face of the cliff was nearly perpendicular to the highway and faced the opposite direction to my direction of travel. As the highway went through the cut, it went up to near the level of the top of the cliff.

The sidewalls of the cut were nearly vertical and I wondered if it was natural, formed by a stream or river flowing through it, as opposed to being made for the highway. The walls did not look new.

I don't know whether it was a road or railroad bridge, because it was so far up.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on March 16, 2023, 12:25:11 PM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.

Perhaps you are talking about this bridge over I-64 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.756973,-81.1500237,3a,90y,28.15h,82.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D237.37473%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) that was a big topic of conversation in the Highest Overpasses thread a few years ago.

No. It was much higher than that. It was hundreds of feet up. I had to tip my head back to see it when I was close. The bridge was at least 10 times as high as its visible span was long.

There were no supports going down to the freeway. It was entirely supported by the cliff. The face of the cliff was nearly perpendicular to the highway and faced the opposite direction to my direction of travel. As the highway went through the cut, it went up to near the level of the top of the cliff.

The sidewalls of the cut were nearly vertical and I wondered if it was natural, formed by a stream or river flowing through it, as opposed to being made for the highway. The walls did not look new.

I don't know whether it was a road or railroad bridge, because it was so far up.

There aren't any such bridges over "I-64 east" all the way to Lexington, Virginia.  The only other one on I-64 that compares to the one near Glen Morgan is this tall puppy (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.410177,-82.3508086,3a,56y,48.63h,88.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-jtIOocWii46EQ8YkpGWZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) carrying Pea Ridge Road over I-64 in East Huntington (which looks more impressive from the westbound lanes).  Or maybe you are remembering this wonder (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7239255,-81.1824062,3a,75y,296.99h,105.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZrucgz9Qi28csopVtAwYgA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DZrucgz9Qi28csopVtAwYgA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D46.91896%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) over the northbound lanes of the Turnpike just south of where I-64 splits off.  But neither of these are "hundreds of feet up".
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 16, 2023, 01:14:02 PM
I am looking for something I think I saw in West Virginia.

I know I was on I-64 heading east in the 1990s. In front of me was a cliff that seemed to wider than I could see and very tall. There was a gap in the cliff and I-64 went into the gap. There was a bridge way up there at the top of the cliff that overpassed the highway.

I can't find it on Google Maps. Where is it.

Perhaps you are talking about this bridge over I-64 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.756973,-81.1500237,3a,90y,28.15h,82.6t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbM3Jf2y29nfO6dxAiEEWrA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D237.37473%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) that was a big topic of conversation in the Highest Overpasses thread a few years ago.

No. It was much higher than that. It was hundreds of feet up. I had to tip my head back to see it when I was close. The bridge was at least 10 times as high as its visible span was long.

There were no supports going down to the freeway. It was entirely supported by the cliff. The face of the cliff was nearly perpendicular to the highway and faced the opposite direction to my direction of travel. As the highway went through the cut, it went up to near the level of the top of the cliff.

The sidewalls of the cut were nearly vertical and I wondered if it was natural, formed by a stream or river flowing through it, as opposed to being made for the highway. The walls did not look new.

I don't know whether it was a road or railroad bridge, because it was so far up.

There aren't any such bridges over "I-64 east" all the way to Lexington, Virginia.  The only other one on I-64 that compares to the one near Glen Morgan is this tall puppy (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.410177,-82.3508086,3a,56y,48.63h,88.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-jtIOocWii46EQ8YkpGWZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) carrying Pea Ridge Road over I-64 in East Huntington (which looks more impressive from the westbound lanes).  Or maybe you are remembering this wonder (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7239255,-81.1824062,3a,75y,296.99h,105.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZrucgz9Qi28csopVtAwYgA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DZrucgz9Qi28csopVtAwYgA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D46.91896%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) over the northbound lanes of the Turnpike just south of where I-64 splits off.  But neither of these are "hundreds of feet up".

I remember the two high bridges at Huntington.

I remember seeing this going eastbound on trips on I-64 from Louisville KY to Norfolk VA. The first trip was in 1991 and the second trip was in 1995. I was never on I-77 south of Beckley (unless they moved the I-64 interchange). I do remember the north turnpike interchange south of Charleston was different on the second trip.

Both times, I returned by I-95 and I-70.

Maybe the feature was in Kentucky or Virginia, but I thought it was in WV. I used Google Maps street view on the entire route and didn't find it.

Two places I thought of when I started looking for this were crossing the Big Sandy and just east of the Beckley I-64 - I-77 junction.

Is it possible that that was an old RR bridge up there and it fell? But I can't even find the cliff. Did it fall too?


Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on March 16, 2023, 02:25:30 PM
I thought of this bridge when i first saw your post - https://goo.gl/maps/QEq8rhZZHTYfFw7X6

30 years later the cliffs could be covered in vegetation.

Your cliff description made think of Sideling Hill on I-68 but there's no bridge that fits your description.

Once you said I-70 I thought of this bridge outside Frederick MD - https://goo.gl/maps/ADuJs2ChSbVeHuP47
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on March 17, 2023, 10:15:37 AM
Didn't they rebuilt that Pea Ridge bridge when I-64 was widened?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: jmacswimmer on March 17, 2023, 10:17:24 AM
Your cliff description made think of Sideling Hill on I-68 but there's no bridge that fits your description.

Speaking of I-68, further west there's this high overpass (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533599,-79.4400414,3a,75y,85.75h,93.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGRse4kMpuW3KnasMIY0Wlw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) just east of the WV/MD border.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 17, 2023, 10:58:12 AM
Didn't they rebuilt that Pea Ridge bridge when I-64 was widened?

When was that? Did they widen the cut too?

Your cliff description made think of Sideling Hill on I-68 but there's no bridge that fits your description.
Speaking of I-68, further west there's this high overpass (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6533599,-79.4400414,3a,75y,85.75h,93.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGRse4kMpuW3KnasMIY0Wlw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) just east of the WV/MD border.

I have never been on I-68. And the bridge is lower than I remember. Could you provide a google for sideling hill? Search won't find it.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on March 17, 2023, 02:41:08 PM
Didn't they rebuilt that Pea Ridge bridge when I-64 was widened?

CR 60/1 in Pea Ridge was rebuilt in 2003 with a revised substructure and an entirely new superstructure, and is 69 feet above the ground. It was originally built in 1962. https://goo.gl/maps/xjhCs64P5DDArvEK9

The other high-level bridge in the area is for CR 37/McCoy Road, which is 82 feet above the ground. It was built in 1963. https://goo.gl/maps/YMwQojckaaaj7Zwq5
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: famartin on March 17, 2023, 03:50:08 PM
I have never been on I-68. And the bridge is lower than I remember. Could you provide a google for sideling hill? Search won't find it.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7181798,-78.2809834,3a,75y,311.78h,86.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbL7Jx5BHEdBVKf2u8btFcQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbL7Jx5BHEdBVKf2u8btFcQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D164.98557%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: The Ghostbuster on March 17, 2023, 04:07:36 PM
For those who don't know who Victor Cushwa was (I certainly didn't since I'm from Wisconsin), here is Wikipedia's article on the former Maryland state senator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Cushwa.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 18, 2023, 11:05:57 PM
I have never been on I-68. And the bridge is lower than I remember. Could you provide a google for sideling hill? Search won't find it.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7181798,-78.2809834,3a,75y,311.78h,86.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbL7Jx5BHEdBVKf2u8btFcQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DbL7Jx5BHEdBVKf2u8btFcQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D164.98557%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Thanks! That Sideling cut is wider at the top than what I remember. That's why I wondered if it was natural.

Didn't they rebuilt that Pea Ridge bridge when I-64 was widened?

CR 60/1 in Pea Ridge was rebuilt in 2003 with a revised substructure and an entirely new superstructure, and is 69 feet above the ground. It was originally built in 1962. https://goo.gl/maps/xjhCs64P5DDArvEK9

The other high-level bridge in the area is for CR 37/McCoy Road, which is 82 feet above the ground. It was built in 1963. https://goo.gl/maps/YMwQojckaaaj7Zwq5

Both of these do not fit what I remember. There is no high cliff on both sides, and both are hidden by curves a short distance away. I remember seeing that bridge a long time before I got there.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 20, 2023, 10:11:43 PM
I want to recount my entire experience of this as I saw it.

I first saw the bridge from miles away as I crossed a plain. There was a very high cliff at the far end of the plain. The cliff face was nearly black and went in both directions (left and right) as far as I could see. The bridge was across a vertical slot in the cliff face near the edge of the cliff. Interstate 64 went into this slot in the cliff and ascended to the level of the cliff over several miles. As I entered the slot, I saw the bridge high overhead. The slot was at least 10 times as high as it was wide.

I saw this twice, in 1991 and 1995. Each time I was going to visit relatives in Norfolk VA. And each time, on the way home, we stopped in Washington DC and spent a day at the Smithsonian, so I did not return via I-64, but used I-70.
 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on March 24, 2023, 03:34:33 PM
No disrespect intended, but were you a pre-teen on those trips?  I have found in my own experience that things i saw as a youngster tended to be an exaggerated version of what it was.

Your description suggests the bridge would have to be 500+ feet above the interstate.  Here is a list of US bridges >130 ft high (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridges_in_the_United_States_by_height) and WV has just 2 entries: US 19 New River Br and the I-64 bridge over Glade Creek.  Virginia has 6, which are not over I-64.

No bridge that seems to meet your criteria either in this thread - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8710.msg202481#msg202481

i did find one bridge that meets more of your criteria, I-80 EB in Ohio, if you are misremembering what trip it was from.  This bridge is visible 4.2 miles away.  https://goo.gl/maps/wEukRE4Sbmru4uW7A
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: GCrites80s on March 24, 2023, 05:10:08 PM
That sounds like a really expensive cut. As in one that would be cheaper to tunnel.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 25, 2023, 01:03:14 AM
No disrespect intended, but were you a pre-teen on those trips?  I have found in my own experience that things i saw as a youngster tended to be an exaggerated version of what it was.

Your description suggests the bridge would have to be 500+ feet above the interstate.  Here is a list of US bridges >130 ft high (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridges_in_the_United_States_by_height) and WV has just 2 entries: US 19 New River Br and the I-64 bridge over Glade Creek.  Virginia has 6, which are not over I-64.

No bridge that seems to meet your criteria either in this thread - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=8710.msg202481#msg202481

i did find one bridge that meets more of your criteria, I-80 EB in Ohio, if you are misremembering what trip it was from.  This bridge is visible 4.2 miles away.  https://goo.gl/maps/wEukRE4Sbmru4uW7A

I was 40 the first trip. I was driving the car. And the sight was something quite unusual that I noted.

I have never been on I-80 east of Toledo.

I am really puzzled by this. I wanted to find it to show a picture of it to someone.

I know it was on this trip. But it possibly could have been in Kentucky or Virginia. But I traveled the entire trip on Google Maps street view just before I came here.

I am thinking that something has happened or was done so this is not there anymore. Maybe the cliff part fell or an I-64 bridge was replaced and made higher. Maybe a railroad was removed and the bridge taken down.

I also just had the thought that there might have been two different cuts for the two directions of I-64. That would halve the height of the bridge.

I also just remembered something else. I was looking for it the second trip, and I had thought it was at the KY-WV line at the bridge over the Big Sandy. But it was not there. It was much later in the trip. So it was not in KY.



Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on March 25, 2023, 07:35:48 PM
Any chance you missed the I-64 exit from the WV Turnpike and had to turnaround at the next exit?  Meets your criteria for split level interstate and as of 2011 was still visible 1.1 miles away.

Cause then you'd have this - https://goo.gl/maps/CZZM6rd7jMk2fMDr9  though chances are small this happened twice.

Otherwise, a removed bridge or even coal chute could be what happened.  A look around historicaerials.com searching for structures no longer present didn't turn up anything.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on March 25, 2023, 11:14:24 PM
Any chance you missed the I-64 exit from the WV Turnpike and had to turnaround at the next exit?  Meets your criteria for split level interstate and as of 2011 was still visible 1.1 miles away.

Cause then you'd have this - https://goo.gl/maps/CZZM6rd7jMk2fMDr9  though chances are small this happened twice.

Otherwise, a removed bridge or even coal chute could be what happened.  A look around historicaerials.com searching for structures no longer present didn't turn up anything.

Thank you. We already thought of that bridge.

I also had thought it was just east of Beckley. There are several deep defiles there.

Thanks everyone.

Fixed quote.  -Mark
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on March 31, 2023, 12:37:53 PM
Governor signs bill changing inspection stickers to 24 months.

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/03/29/governor-acts-on-a-mountain-of-bills-but-is-conflicted-on-sports-transfer-policy/

Legislature added this on to a bill changing how "antique" cars are registered.  Many in the legislature want to abolish the inspections entirely.  The fee (the bill raises it from $14 to a whopping $19) is still so low that garages cannot make money on the business and they risk losing customers if they actually fail a car.  Many motorists just find the whole thing a yearly hassle, and there is no real evidence that states with or without inspections have equipment related accidents at different rates.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on April 01, 2023, 11:45:41 PM
Any chance you missed the I-64 exit from the WV Turnpike and had to turnaround at the next exit?  Meets your criteria for split level interstate and as of 2011 was still visible 1.1 miles away.

Cause then you'd have this - https://goo.gl/maps/CZZM6rd7jMk2fMDr9  though chances are small this happened twice.

Otherwise, a removed bridge or even coal chute could be what happened.  A look around historicaerials.com searching for structures no longer present didn't turn up anything.


Here is a a place that looks similar, except it is not as high as I remember and there is no overbridge. The notch in the face is like what I remember. It's east of Beckley. Has this I-64 bridge been raised since 1995 or have other changes happened here?

https://goo.gl/maps/y1YSukCVTc9L4FZ56

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on April 02, 2023, 08:37:42 PM
Any chance you missed the I-64 exit from the WV Turnpike and had to turnaround at the next exit?  Meets your criteria for split level interstate and as of 2011 was still visible 1.1 miles away.

Cause then you'd have this - https://goo.gl/maps/CZZM6rd7jMk2fMDr9  though chances are small this happened twice.

Otherwise, a removed bridge or even coal chute could be what happened.  A look around historicaerials.com searching for structures no longer present didn't turn up anything.


Here is a a place that looks similar, except it is not as high as I remember and there is no overbridge. The notch in the face is like what I remember. It's east of Beckley. Has this I-64 bridge been raised since 1995 or have other changes happened here?

https://goo.gl/maps/y1YSukCVTc9L4FZ56



Don't believe anything has happened to this bridge which is the 2nd highest bridge in WV (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glade+Creek+Bridge/@37.7684178,-81.0401951,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipOqC_UkRTXCN5RsIGdzx28twMVD76YewhgFQ4Vs!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOqC_UkRTXCN5RsIGdzx28twMVD76YewhgFQ4Vs%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m9!3m8!1s0x884e8e5722c05db9:0xf7b7984c6b2d842f!8m2!3d37.7684178!4d-81.0401951!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F11cspq_vp9)

The 1986 and 1996 aerials show nothing crossing over I-64 east of this bridge.

Based on your descriptions you wouldn't have seen this bridge from a distance in the rear view mirror... https://goo.gl/maps/EAQDk4do8SraMrEa9

...but the difficulty is that sightlines are way different than 30 years ago in terms of tree heights, so this bridge could have been visible from a distance EB too in the early 1990s.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on April 04, 2023, 10:57:36 AM
Any chance you missed the I-64 exit from the WV Turnpike and had to turnaround at the next exit?  Meets your criteria for split level interstate and as of 2011 was still visible 1.1 miles away.

Cause then you'd have this - https://goo.gl/maps/CZZM6rd7jMk2fMDr9  though chances are small this happened twice.

Otherwise, a removed bridge or even coal chute could be what happened.  A look around historicaerials.com searching for structures no longer present didn't turn up anything.


Here is a a place that looks similar, except it is not as high as I remember and there is no overbridge. The notch in the face is like what I remember. It's east of Beckley. Has this I-64 bridge been raised since 1995 or have other changes happened here?

https://goo.gl/maps/y1YSukCVTc9L4FZ56



Don't believe anything has happened to this bridge which is the 2nd highest bridge in WV (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Glade+Creek+Bridge/@37.7684178,-81.0401951,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipOqC_UkRTXCN5RsIGdzx28twMVD76YewhgFQ4Vs!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOqC_UkRTXCN5RsIGdzx28twMVD76YewhgFQ4Vs%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m9!3m8!1s0x884e8e5722c05db9:0xf7b7984c6b2d842f!8m2!3d37.7684178!4d-81.0401951!10e5!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!16s%2Fg%2F11cspq_vp9)

The 1986 and 1996 aerials show nothing crossing over I-64 east of this bridge.

Based on your descriptions you wouldn't have seen this bridge from a distance in the rear view mirror... https://goo.gl/maps/EAQDk4do8SraMrEa9

...but the difficulty is that sightlines are way different than 30 years ago in terms of tree heights, so this bridge could have been visible from a distance EB too in the early 1990s.


I didn't see it in the rear view mirror. I saw it in the windshield to the front.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Troubleshooter on April 08, 2023, 02:50:34 AM
That sounds like a really expensive cut. As in one that would be cheaper to tunnel.

I had the thought that it was a natural cut made by a small river next to the highway.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on May 02, 2023, 10:14:18 PM
In 2021, the City of Parkersburg leased its previously city-operated Memorial Bridge across the Ohio River to a group including Kokosing, Burgess and Niple, and Modjeski and Masters. The bridge is supposed to reopen later this year following an extensive rehab.

The new group is moving to all-electronic tolling via E-ZPass ($1 for cars) or bill-by-mail ($4.50). They're also offering a $30/month unlimited use plan. Info is at https://parkersburgbridgepartners.com/tolling-rates/
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 03, 2023, 09:23:59 AM
I have photos I need to post of the rehab work taken from the drone. The amount of work being conducted is impressive, but probably because it did not require major rehabilitation for the 60+ some years it had been opened. Traffic was originally allowed to flow, but there were enforcement issues - people speeding, wrong-way drivers (people disregarding traffic control devices), etc.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 18, 2023, 10:29:52 AM
I was looking through project plans for something else and came across this proposed (and mostly not built) four-lane widening of US 21/60 between Chelyan Bridge and Hugheston (https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1972_S13877/PDF/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1972_S13877.pdf) from 1972. It called for two 24' wide roadways paved with 9" of Portland cement concrete, 10' paved right shoulders, and a curbed 18' concrete median with a 60 MPH design speed. AADT figures for 1971 were 6,060, with a projection by 1991 of 8,000, 12.5% of which were trucks. The alignment did not deviate much from the existing route.

Over at Hugeston, a bridge over a creek was completed in 1967 (https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/B_20_2_0060_00_000_1967_S01886/PDF/B_20_2_0060_00_000_1967_S01886.pdf), but nothing has extended from that either.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on May 18, 2023, 08:35:47 PM
I was looking through project plans for something else and came across this proposed (and mostly not built) four-lane widening of US 21/60 between Chelyan Bridge and Hugheston (https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1972_S13877/PDF/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1972_S13877.pdf) from 1972. It called for two 24' wide roadways paved with 9" of Portland cement concrete, 10' paved right shoulders, and a curbed 18' concrete median with a 60 MPH design speed. AADT figures for 1971 were 6,060, with a projection by 1991 of 8,000, 12.5% of which were trucks. The alignment did not deviate much from the existing route.

Over at Hugeston, a bridge over a creek was completed in 1967 (https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/B_20_2_0060_00_000_1967_S01886/PDF/B_20_2_0060_00_000_1967_S01886.pdf), but nothing has extended from that either.

I think the plan was to at least get to Smithers/Montgomery, and I suspect Gauley Bridge was an eventual end goal given the small 4-lane section there. I used to hear of the widening being pushed to serve WVU Tech, but since it relocated to Beckley, I haven't heard much of the proposal. Some additional passing opportunities would be nice but I don't think there's a need for a full four-laning of the corridor anymore.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 18, 2023, 10:01:18 PM
I don't think there is, either. The twisty segment at the end of the four-lane east of the Chelyan Bridge should at least be remedied. It's got some ongoing issues with hillside movement which has caused the roadway to shift and landslides to occur over the years. Many of the properties on the roadway's north side are also abandoned. Here is something else I found interesting:

- In 1991 and 1993 (or thereabouts), some of the original Cedar Grove bypass from 1947 (or thereabouts) was reconstructed, which entailed rebuilding two bridges over Kellys Creek and two roadways (which also contained a coal-hauling branch line at one point). You can tell where the project limits were because of the concrete median transition (https://goo.gl/maps/LR5NmsfUi5fvHJ7v7). They could have at least made provisions for a turn lane at Hull Avenue on the eastern end. https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/H_20_4_0060_00_036_1993_S02346/PDF/H_20_4_0060_00_036_1993_S02346.pdf and https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/R_20_2_0060_00_000_1991_S11887/PDF/R_20_2_0060_00_000_1991_S11887.pdf
- Original bypass plans, which shows that two lanes + shoulder were built first with an additional two lanes + shoulder added in 1956, all of the branch lines, and the tram line (presumably for the miners?): https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1947_S06469/PDF/P_20_2_0060_00_000_1947_S06469.pdf and https://mapwv.gov/DOTLivePlans/Scanning/ProjectBookFolders/P_20_5_0060_00_000_1956_S09204/PDF/P_20_5_0060_00_000_1956_S09204.pdf
- Much of US 60 in that area was built in 1919 and greatly improved in the late 1920s-early 1930s with a 20' roadway.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 19, 2023, 02:27:52 PM
1964 article about the routings of interstates (specifically, Interstate 64) through Charleston:

(https://i.imgur.com/gKEm2iR.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/DmWxBeC.png)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on May 19, 2023, 04:38:26 PM
^^^
Fascinating.  The alternate route from the State Capitol to the West Virginia Turnpike was selected, but part of the preferred route using the new 36th Street and (rebuilt) 35th Street bridges was actually constructed.  When the DOH first started building this, I was hoping that the new spur route into Kanawha City would get numbered as a 3DI.  As it turns out, the twin spans are probably the most important route in the state that is numbered with a true state secondary route (ergo, county route number), in this case unposted CR-60/63.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 19, 2023, 04:51:00 PM
I wasn't aware that there was a previous span at 35th Street. I remember coming across an article that detailed when the span had partly collapsed.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on May 23, 2023, 09:48:29 PM
WVDOH District 7 bridge crews are wrapping up restoration of the Carrollton Covered Bridge over the Buckhannon River in Barbour County. The bridge was damaged in 2017 by arson. There is a press release with photos at https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/WVDOH_completes_restoration_of_historic_Carrollton_Covered_Bridge.aspx

The deck of the Carrolton bridge had been replaced by concrete supported by intermediate piers in the river during a 1963 rehabilitation, so the burned wooden portion was largely cosmetic. The concrete deck allowed the bridge to remain in service while work proceeded on the restoration.

WVDOH District 7 plans to use its crew's new expertise to tackle work on the short Walkersville Covered Bridge in Lewis County and perhaps in other districts throughout the state.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on May 24, 2023, 10:48:53 AM
This will now be on my list to see in another week or so! Did they install a fire suppression system?

I was surprised that the arsonist was never caught.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on May 25, 2023, 10:04:09 AM
This will now be on my list to see in another week or so! Did they install a fire suppression system?

I'm not sure, but that's not been done on any other WV covered bridges that I'm aware of. A fire detection system, like Ashtabula County OH does with their bridges, would make sense but I've not seen that either.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: machpost on May 31, 2023, 03:33:03 PM
This will now be on my list to see in another week or so! Did they install a fire suppression system?

I'm not sure, but that's not been done on any other WV covered bridges that I'm aware of. A fire detection system, like Ashtabula County OH does with their bridges, would make sense but I've not seen that either.

The Philippi Covered Bridge indeed has been fitted with a sprinkler system, after being destroyed by fire in 1989 and rebuilt in 1991. It can be seen on Google Street View.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: carbaugh2 on June 21, 2023, 12:13:17 PM
I’m not sure if many of you are aware based on listener counts, but WVDOT does a nice job with their weekly podcast. It often features interviews with division engineers and highlights projects of interest or that are unique builds. I have included the link below since I didn’t find it on my normal podcasting app.

https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/Podcast/Pages/default.aspx
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 18, 2023, 11:10:19 AM
This completely slipped under my radar.

FHWA project profile: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/project_profiles/wv_rock_creek_access_road.aspx

Location (I think): https://goo.gl/maps/XGGxU8FZDAuf75hp6

--

Rock Creek interchange under construction in Boone County (https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/Rock_Creek_interchange_under_construction_in_Boone_County.aspx)

Construction is underway on a new interchange to serve a massive economic development project in Boone County.
 
On Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) announced a construction contract to build a new interchange on Corridor G at Rock Creek to provide access into the Rock Creek Development Park in Boone County. Triton Construction Inc. bid $19,547,500 for the project, which was significantly lower than the Engineer’s Estimate for construction.

Triton is building a diamond intersection at Corridor G and Rock Creek. A bridge will be built over Corridor G and a second bridge will be built crossing the CSX rail line and the Little Coal River to connect with the access road into the development.
 
“This project will absolutely bring the business community into this part of southern West Virginia,”  Gov. Justice has said. “We’re going to create opportunity and jobs beyond belief.”
 
In August 2022, WVDOH awarded a contract for $4,295,709.65 to S&E Clearing & Hydroseeding, Inc. to build the three-mile access road that will run from the new interchange, up the mountain, and into the development site.

Triton is currently moving earth and breaking up rock to make way for the new interchange.
 
Dirt and stone from one side of Corridor G is also being moved to the other side to serve as fill material. Temporary traffic signals have been installed to allow trucks to cross Corridor G.
 
Foundation work for the bridge piers is expected to begin soon. Paving is expected to begin within the next few weeks on the three-mile access road.
 
Rock Creek Development Park is located on the former Hobet mine site. Opening the 12,000-acre site for economic development has been one of Justice’s primary goals.
 
The project is expected to be complete in 2026.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: froggie on July 18, 2023, 11:22:15 AM
^ Google Maps is showing a lot of slow traffic (especially northbound) right now at the spot you picked, so you may not be far off on your guess.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 18, 2023, 12:50:07 PM
At least it's not another traffic light. Now if we can focus on getting rid of other remote traffic lights on Corridor G - like the one next to the Logan interchange on that steep grade.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on July 18, 2023, 01:50:54 PM
At least it's not another traffic light. Now if we can focus on getting rid of other remote traffic lights on Corridor G - like the one next to the Logan interchange on that steep grade.

You mean the one near the shopping center?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 18, 2023, 01:54:25 PM
Yes. Or any of the new ones going up on Corridor H.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on July 18, 2023, 10:30:16 PM
At least it's not another traffic light. Now if we can focus on getting rid of other remote traffic lights on Corridor G - like the one next to the Logan interchange on that steep grade.

It's a completely useless project. The Hobet site, despite attempts for close to a decade now, has no significant development and no real prospects for it. Still, WVDOH is spending on a 4-lane access road and this interchange with a "build it and they will come" mentality.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on July 19, 2023, 10:59:03 AM
Yes. Or any of the new ones going up on Corridor H.

My point was that a busy intersection such as that one needs some form of traffic control; otherwise the chances for wrecks increase. I'd rather have a signal there than the intersection be uncontrolled.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on July 19, 2023, 11:10:40 AM
IMHO, 

there are WAY too many stop lights on all of the WV corridor highways.  Likewise in Ohio and Kentucky, the other two ARC states I drive in a lot.    The purpose of the ARC corridors was to open up mountain communities to the outside world.  To "defeat geography" as one politician called it.   Not for some guy to build a shopping strip mall and certainly not for the "something must be done" crowd to take one, while tragic, accident and turn it into a four way stop intersection when the traffic volumes on the side roads is miniscule. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 19, 2023, 02:32:05 PM
IMO, they shouldn’t install traffic signals on high-speed 65 mph highways like this… if there’s too much cross traffic, a desire for development, any traffic generating source - build a grade-separated interchange with the highway. Or at the minimum, an innovative intersection design to eliminate left turns. Either way, keep the corridor free-flowing.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: GCrites80s on July 19, 2023, 08:30:36 PM
IMHO, 

there are WAY too many stop lights on all of the WV corridor highways.  Likewise in Ohio and Kentucky, the other two ARC states I drive in a lot.    The purpose of the ARC corridors was to open up mountain communities to the outside world.  To "defeat geography" as one politician called it.   Not for some guy to build a shopping strip mall and certainly not for the "something must be done" crowd to take one, while tragic, accident and turn it into a four way stop intersection when the traffic volumes on the side roads is miniscule.

Corridor D when it's on OH-32 didn't open with many lights but now it has a lot of them considering the volume.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on July 20, 2023, 11:36:11 AM
IMO, they shouldn’t install traffic signals on high-speed 65 mph highways like this… if there’s too much cross traffic, a desire for development, any traffic generating source - build a grade-separated interchange with the highway. Or at the minimum, an innovative intersection design to eliminate left turns. Either way, keep the corridor free-flowing.

Ohio has recently taken to using RCUTs in a big way, sometimes removing existing traffic signals in favor of them. WVDOH has only built one so far, on US 119/Corridor G in Charleston. I'm hoping they become more popular as a way to eliminate signals or at least allow for coordinated progression through locations with multiple signalized intersections, like US 19 near Summersville, WV.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 20, 2023, 12:13:35 PM
Same. But considering they just installed two new lights east of Buckhannon on Corridor H, it doesn't give me hope.

As for RCUTs, they work well when they are simple. I've gotten used to them, but then you come across the RCUT at OH 32 and Bauer Road, which is just a mess. One traffic light has turned into three - although you'll rarely stop at more than one because of the timing. And the dual left turn lanes is an issue for tractor-trailers as they can't use the inner lane - leading to a lot of complicated signage: https://goo.gl/maps/HvLw3S4g5GCvxQ9h6

This is one of those intersections that probably didn't need an RCUT - and ODOT could have waited a few more years until it had the funding for a proper interchange and intersection closures.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Black-Man on July 20, 2023, 04:07:36 PM
It's a completely useless project. The Hobet site, despite attempts for close to a decade now, has no significant development and no real prospects for it. Still, WVDOH is spending on a 4-lane access road and this interchange with a "build it and they will come" mentality.

Exactly. You can add the Coalfields Expressway to the list. I was just talking to my neighbor about winding down of construction on the Rural Acres/Stanaford Rd intersection in Beckley - a project which should have been done 40 years ago. As he aptly put it, "There's the state finally doing something about an intersection that's been a back up for 50 years, meanwhile they spend a billion dollars on the Coalfields Expressway for what? So you can get out of Wyoming county faster?".

The state also accepted a bad on the next phase of the Beckley Z-Way - I-64/Eisenhower Dr Exit to Beaver. Another project which should have been done when I-64 was constructed. And of course, they are removing a free-flow interchange and putting in 2 new traffic lights.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: sprjus4 on July 20, 2023, 04:59:22 PM
^ I don’t really see the issue with the I-64 interchange that will be reconfigured into a partial cloverleaf interchange. The east Beckley bypass is never a freeway or even expressway, it’s another arterial that has some form of access control. I wouldn’t say there’s as much of a free-flowing expectation on that route, compared to something like US-19 just to the north, that should be signal free all the way to I-79.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on July 20, 2023, 05:53:03 PM
The only "freeway" component of that bypass is coming off of Interstate 64 because it crosses a deep valley on a bridge. Otherwise, it's a standard five-lane road. I wasn't aware of the bypass extension but considering there isn't a feasible way of upgrading US 19 through that tight valley - it's for the better. US 19 is awfully congested because of the uncontrolled development along the route well south of Beckley towards WV 3.

About 3.5 miles of US 19 will be widened to 3 lanes from WV 3 to Granby Circle (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/closed/BeckleyZWayShadySpringsToBeaver/Pages/default.aspx), with this document (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/closed/BeckleyZWayShadySpringsToBeaver/EA/Appendix%20B-Final%20Design%20Study%20Report.pdf) showing the four phases of this project. This document (last page (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/closed/BeckleyZWayShadySpringsToBeaver/Documents/handout2018.pdf) shows the I-64 interchange modification and Z-Way extension, with this site (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/closed/BeckleyZWayBeaverToSouthEisenhower/Pages/default.aspx) showing the plans more clearly.

Still haven't heard on anything about connecting Vankirk Drive (Tamarack/Service Plaza interchange) to Pinewood Drive or Dry Hill Road.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Gnutella on July 27, 2023, 02:06:47 AM
IMO, they shouldn’t install traffic signals on high-speed 65 mph highways like this… if there’s too much cross traffic, a desire for development, any traffic generating source - build a grade-separated interchange with the highway. Or at the minimum, an innovative intersection design to eliminate left turns. Either way, keep the corridor free-flowing.

Case in point: GA 316.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on August 14, 2023, 06:20:06 PM
I just came back from a long trip with the RV to Pennsylvania and got to drive much of I-79 in the state. It looks like the Servia to Frametown segment is being completely rebuilt from the ground up. I noted equipment busting up the original concrete pavement which in turn is being crushed up and used as the new roadway base. Significant portions of the highway are in poor condition, especially south of there towards Charleston, and ranks up there with I-77 near Ripley in terms of pavement quality (in my opinion).

And for being fairly new, WV 43 from I-68 to the Pennsylvania state line is awful. The northbound lanes were rough and bumpy, with a lot of spidering cracks in the slow lane. The southbound lanes were smoother with an asphalt overlay on portions of the lanes, but it only masked the dips and humps that made towing the RV a bit uncomfortable. It's about as bad as some portions of US 35 near Winfield.

Speaking of, is the I-79/US 50 rebuild in Clarksburg still proposed? (https://terradon.com/portfolio/i-79-us-50-interchange-study/)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on August 14, 2023, 10:28:51 PM
And for being fairly new, WV 43 from I-68 to the Pennsylvania state line is awful. The northbound lanes were rough and bumpy, with a lot of spidering cracks in the slow lane. The southbound lanes were smoother with an asphalt overlay on portions of the lanes, but it only masked the dips and humps that made towing the RV a bit uncomfortable. It's about as bad as some portions of US 35 near Winfield.

Aside from a southbound section that was resurfaced 2-3 years ago, all of that asphalt is from 2011 or earlier. Some of it north of Exit #1 is 20ish years old, although it had a sealant applied when it finally opened in 2011. I agree about the surface being in poor condition and full of dips. It's embarrassingly bad.

Speaking of, is the I-79/US 50 rebuild in Clarksburg still proposed? (https://terradon.com/portfolio/i-79-us-50-interchange-study/)

Not in any near-term or mid-term project.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on August 22, 2023, 11:57:13 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/1ermkQC.jpg)

This sign was installed along Squirrel Gap Road in the George Washington NF just off of Corridor H/US 48 near Moorefield, West Virginia. It's a bit overkill for a one-lane gravel road, and the sign width is as wide as the road itself! I'm not sure why it's needed as I've not seen a sign of this type on the multitude of other forest roads that branch off in the area.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on August 22, 2023, 01:56:33 PM
I think SR 16 is a little more than 11.2 miles from Moorefield.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on August 22, 2023, 03:28:15 PM
Sorry, Wardensville. But SR 16 is really WV secondary route 16.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on August 23, 2023, 09:54:59 AM
Sorry, Wardensville. But SR 16 is really WV secondary route 16.

It's really Hardy County Route 16 per WVDOH.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on August 23, 2023, 06:50:06 PM
I think SR 16 is a little more than 11.2 miles from Moorefield.
he said "near"
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on August 23, 2023, 07:58:23 PM
Sorry, Wardensville. But SR 16 is really WV secondary route 16.

It's really Hardy County Route 16 per WVDOH.

Not sure about that part of the state, but most of West Virginia counties would show this as CR-16 (meaning County Route, a throwback to the olden days when there was a County Road Commissioner.  (For the record, that era ended in 1911 back when the Mountain State had more brick-paved street than asphalt roads).
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on August 23, 2023, 09:02:40 PM
Interesting. Wikipedia notes county routes as secondary routes (trunk or spur) but the state's general highway maps for each county notes them purely as county routes. I'll go with what is listed by the state.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on August 23, 2023, 10:35:35 PM
Sorry, Wardensville. But SR 16 is really WV secondary route 16.

It's really Hardy County Route 16 per WVDOH.

Not sure about that part of the state, but most of West Virginia counties would show this as CR-16 (meaning County Route, a throwback to the olden days when there was a County Road Commissioner.  (For the record, that era ended in 1911 back when the Mountain State had more brick-paved street than asphalt roads).

Interesting. Wikipedia notes county routes as secondary routes (trunk or spur) but the state's general highway maps for each county notes them purely as county routes. I'll go with what is listed by the state.

It's a quirk of the West Virginia numbering system that State Routes qualify are considered as "primary" and County Routes are considered as "Secondary".  Those designations have very little to do with the old FAP and FAS designations.  The DOH does maintain an inventory (and map (https://data-wvdot.opendata.arcgis.com)) of the Federal Aid status of the entire system, but the categories are
Almost all of the State Routes are listed as STP-eligible, but there's a handful of State Routes that make it into the National Highway System (thus truly qualified as FAP routes).  Here's a few that I've found thus far:
Also, there's only a couple of handful of Intermodal routes in the state.  The interactive map works better if you filter out all of the FAS Category 5 routes and turn Styling on.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on August 23, 2023, 10:42:02 PM
Sorry, Wardensville. But SR 16 is really WV secondary route 16.

It's really Hardy County Route 16 per WVDOH.

Not sure about that part of the state, but most of West Virginia counties would show this as CR-16 (meaning County Route, a throwback to the olden days when there was a County Road Commissioner.  (For the record, that era ended in 1911 back when the Mountain State had more brick-paved street than asphalt roads).

Interesting. Wikipedia notes county routes as secondary routes (trunk or spur) but the state's general highway maps for each county notes them purely as county routes. I'll go with what is listed by the state.

It's a quirk of the West Virginia numbering system that State Routes qualify are considered as "primary" and County Routes are considered as "Secondary".  Those designations have very little to do with the old FAP and FAS designations.  The DOH does maintain an inventory (and map (https://data-wvdot.opendata.arcgis.com)) of the Federal Aid status of the entire system, but the categories are
  • Interstate routes
  • National Highway System routes
  • Surface Transportation Program eligible
  • Intermodal routes
  • Not eligible
Almost all of the State Routes are listed as STP-eligible, but there's a handful of State Routes that make it into the National Highway System (thus truly qualified as FAP routes).  Here's a few that I've found thus far:
  • WV-193//WV-2 from Barboursville -to- Henderson
  • WV-817 from St. Albans -to- I-64
  • WV-10 from Logan -to- Gilbert
  • WV-16//WV-97//WV-16 from Welch -to- West Virginia Turnpike
  • a section of WV-41 connected to US-19 Bypass in South Beckley
  • WV-55, both the Corridor H section and the easternmost section to the Virginia Line
  • a corridor linking Keyser -to- Corridor H using US-220//WV-972//US-50//WV-93
  • WV-9 from Berkeley Springs -to- Virginia State Line
  • WV-43 Mon-Fayette
  • LSR-857 from US-119 Mileground -to- I-68
  • a corridor linking Moundsville -to- Morgantown via US-250//WV-7
  • WV-88 from Oglebay Park -to- I-70
  • WV-95 Camden Avenue from Davison Street -to- I-77
  • WV-14 from Parkersburg -to- Vienna (the entirety of Grand Central Avenue up to the far exclave of Vienna, not sure why there
  • Memorial Bridge in Parkersburg (for some reason listed as WV-798 rather than WV-140)
  • WV-2 from Parkersburg -to- Chester
  • WV-705
  • and surprisingly, WV-598 up over East River Mountain
Also, there's only a couple of handful of Intermodal routes in the state.  The interactive map works better if you filter out all of the FAS Category 5 routes and turn Styling on.

Whether a route is State or County has nothing to do with federal-aid eligibility or if a route is on the NHS or not.

Primary, secondary, State, County...What matters is who owns the roads.

Ownership =/= funding eligibility.

So, even though WV has "county routes" as the secondary routes on the legend for its maps, the question of ownership has been left unanswered so far.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on August 24, 2023, 08:40:05 AM
The state owns and maintains the CR system of roads.

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/default.aspx
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on August 24, 2023, 08:52:26 AM
The state owns and maintains the CR system of roads.

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/default.aspx

I see federal, state and municipal in that link, but not county?  Are the "county routes"/secondary routes included in the mileage of public roads?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on August 24, 2023, 09:08:41 AM
Unlike most all of the other states, a "county route" in WV is just a classification of road, these roads are maintained by the state DOH.  There are no county road departments in WV, as in other states.  Thus WV has more roads under state maintenance than Texas. 

The long answer is that during the Depression lots of people were losing their property to the counties for taxes.  The state amended the Constitution to drastically cut taxes on real property.  This dried most of the funding for counties and, as a result, the state took over the maintenance of "county routes" and the funding of schools.  Counties in WV do little more than run the courthouse functions and the Sheriff's office.

https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/688
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Mapmikey on August 24, 2023, 09:38:18 AM
The state owns and maintains the CR system of roads.

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/default.aspx

I see federal, state and municipal in that link, but not county?  Are the "county routes"/secondary routes included in the mileage of public roads?

The statistic that says about 34,700 miles are in the state system tells you it includes the county route system. 
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on August 24, 2023, 09:45:34 AM
If you follow the West Virginia Department of Transportation's Facebook page, they are always highlighting the work they perform on county routes, too. It's always WVDOH crews. This is a good discussion.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on August 24, 2023, 10:09:06 AM
The state owns and maintains the CR system of roads.

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/default.aspx

I see federal, state and municipal in that link, but not county?  Are the "county routes"/secondary routes included in the mileage of public roads?

The statistic that says about 34,700 miles are in the state system tells you it includes the county route system. 

Excellent.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Dirt Roads on August 25, 2023, 12:29:33 AM
The state owns and maintains the CR system of roads.

https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/Pages/default.aspx

I see federal, state and municipal in that link, but not county?  Are the "county routes"/secondary routes included in the mileage of public roads?

Unlike most all of the other states, a "county route" in WV is just a classification of road, these roads are maintained by the state DOH.  There are no county road departments in WV, as in other states.  Thus WV has more roads under state maintenance than Texas. 

The long answer is that during the Depression lots of people were losing their property to the counties for taxes.  The state amended the Constitution to drastically cut taxes on real property.  This dried most of the funding for counties and, as a result, the state took over the maintenance of "county routes" and the funding of schools.  Counties in WV do little more than run the courthouse functions and the Sheriff's office.

https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/688

The statistic that says about 34,700 miles are in the state system tells you it includes the county route system.

Be careful with the mileage.  Unlike most other states, West Virginia not only maintains almost all of the public roads statewide, but also many of the private roads.  The most notable is the HARP (Home Access Road Program) with their unique version of a pentagon shield (house shaped).  But there are a number of other categories of orphan roads and bridges that are state-maintained, including most recently MARP roads (Medical Access Road Program).  These programs have not always been politically popular, but given that everybody quit maintaining private roads "after the one fellow who owned a tractor with a grader blade died in the 1940s" at least somebody is maintaining those roads.

On the flip side, there has historically been a lot of County Road mileage that was not being maintained by the State Road Commission (now DOH).  Many of the state's backroads just simply lost population.  I've got a relative that has a mile of Putnam CR-5 that runs on his cattle farm that hasn't been accessible to the public for more than 50 years.  It finally got removed from the official road maps sometime in the last decade.  The DOH is pretty good about cataloguing each route segment for budget purposes, so it is likely that the statewide mileage does not include the portions of the County Roads that are no longer being maintained.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on August 26, 2023, 09:54:16 AM
The statistic that says about 34,700 miles are in the state system tells you it includes the county route system.

Be careful with the mileage.  Unlike most other states, West Virginia not only maintains almost all of the public roads statewide, but also many of the private roads.  The most notable is the HARP (Home Access Road Program) with their unique version of a pentagon shield (house shaped).  But there are a number of other categories of orphan roads and bridges that are state-maintained, including most recently MARP roads (Medical Access Road Program).  These programs have not always been politically popular, but given that everybody quit maintaining private roads "after the one fellow who owned a tractor with a grader blade died in the 1940s" at least somebody is maintaining those roads.
HARP roads are public roads. WVDOH took easements as part of the process of accepting them into state maintenance.

The Medical Access Road Program was just a gimmick for using pandemic aid funds. They were existing roads already in the state system. In my county, "medical access road" funding went to paving a county route and repairing a slide on WV 7.

Anything that is WVDOH-maintained is a WV route, county route, HARP route, or Park & Forest route. DOH doesn't maintain other roads. While there are still a couple Delta route (state maintained with ambiguous ownership) signs around, those routes have either been fully taken into the state system or are no longer being maintained by the state.

On the flip side, there has historically been a lot of County Road mileage that was not being maintained by the State Road Commission (now DOH).  Many of the state's backroads just simply lost population.  I've got a relative that has a mile of Putnam CR-5 that runs on his cattle farm that hasn't been accessible to the public for more than 50 years.  It finally got removed from the official road maps sometime in the last decade.  The DOH is pretty good about cataloguing each route segment for budget purposes, so it is likely that the statewide mileage does not include the portions of the County Roads that are no longer being maintained.
If it's on a DOH county map, it's technically still a road and is counted in the mileage. DOH county map data isn't always accurate either - I've seen roads that the maps indicated were actively maintained gravel that had trees growing in the middle of the roadbed (Pendleton CR 28/6 comes to mind from about 15 years ago).

WV does have a significant amount of mileage in rural areas that is functionally abandoned and not passable by passenger car. There's also mileage that is a dead-end and just serves 1-2 properties that I've thought should be turned over to the adjacent landowners. I've advocated for DOH giving some summer college student interns a state car and having them drive the network, marking anything not readily passable for potential abandonment.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on August 26, 2023, 10:22:06 AM
Oof.  County-owned but State-maintained gets very messy...
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on August 26, 2023, 11:23:10 AM
Oof.  County-owned but State-maintained gets very messy...

Counties in West Virginia own no roads. County routes are owned and maintained by WVDOH.

There are a small handful of county-owned bridges, but counties are responsible for maintaining those themselves and they are exceedingly rare. I'm not even sure if there are any current examples remaining. The last one I was aware of, on Sabraton Avenue in Morgantown, was taken over by the state as a county route when the bridge was replaced about 10 years ago.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on August 26, 2023, 02:45:45 PM
Oof.  County-owned but State-maintained gets very messy...

Counties in West Virginia own no roads. County routes are owned and maintained by WVDOH.

There are a small handful of county-owned bridges, but counties are responsible for maintaining those themselves and they are exceedingly rare. I'm not even sure if there are any current examples remaining. The last one I was aware of, on Sabraton Avenue in Morgantown, was taken over by the state as a county route when the bridge was replaced about 10 years ago.
Ah, okay.  Thanks.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on August 27, 2023, 05:24:55 PM
I've noticed that many of the old "delta" routes in the western/southwestern part of the state are now signed as HARP routes.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on September 25, 2023, 02:26:34 PM
- I'll have to post photos in the next few days, but the Wellsburg Bridge looks awful. The bottom half of the bridge is a nice deep brown color but the upper half is a light brown with splotches of dark brown patches.

- While flying over the Blennerhassett Island Bridge (US 50) between Ohio and Parkersburg, WV, Thursday evening, I spied a significant fuel slick and was able to trace out its origin. I called the Ohio EPA's emergency line and got a reply within minutes. I sent them my images and they were able to get a crew out there the next day. I also gave the company who owned the dock a heads up and they were indifferent to the spill and told me to call back the next day. They didn't seem too thrilled when I did call back the next day, saying I should have notified them first.

- The Memorial Bridge in Parkersburg looks very nice now that the rehab work has wrapped up. It's now pay-by-plate or EZ-Pass; no toll booths remain.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on September 25, 2023, 03:10:27 PM
I saw WVDOT's pictures of the bridge. The signage is in FHWA. I thought West Virginia had switched back to Clearview when the approval was reinstated.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on September 26, 2023, 08:13:41 AM
- I'll have to post photos in the next few days, but the Wellsburg Bridge looks awful. The bottom half of the bridge is a nice deep brown color but the upper half is a light brown with splotches of dark brown patches.

It's Corten steel. I would expect the colors to even out over time.

I saw WVDOT's pictures of the bridge. The signage is in FHWA. I thought West Virginia had switched back to Clearview when the approval was reinstated.

WVDOH stayed with FHWA alphabet when Clearview was reinstated.

FWIW, WVDOH stuck with FHWA for its in-house sign shop the entire time. It was only contractor-produced signage, primarily from large-scale sign replacements, that used Clearview at all.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on September 26, 2023, 11:05:45 AM
It's not Corten. It's brown paint. (Images from my flyover direct from the camera - not yet gotten around to editing the raw images.)

(https://i.imgur.com/00HvHkZ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Z0WE97K.jpg)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on September 29, 2023, 10:53:09 AM
Some notes from the past week:

- WVDOH is now using thermoplastic roadway striping. They first applied it on I-64 in the Charleston metro area with a recent repaving project.
- WVDOH is now purging Corten guardrails from its system. The not-very-old Corten guardrails along Corridor H east of Davis are being replaced with standard galvanized models. It would have been good to see brown painted guardrails as used elsewhere.
- Recessed reflectors are now being used more extensively and not just at the highest elevations.
- I-79 is undergoing a major rebuild near Frametown, with the old concrete pavement being broken up and used as a new roadway base. This goes along with other recent widening projects on I-64 and I-79 where the original roadway was replaced during the project.
- New signage is being installed near MM 20 on I-64 in Barboursville as part of a major widening/rebuild project. The interstate is being widened to six through lanes, with an eight-lane segment between Exits 18 and 20. This project involves rebuilding the roadway base, re-sloping and re-leveling the roadway (especially along the Guyandotte River), adding extensive retaining walls on the hillside slopes, and rebuilding all bridges.
- The northbound lanes of the WV Turnpike was closed yesterday for an overturned HAZMAT tanker. The contents of the HAZMAT tanker did not spill into Paint Creek or any waterway. Detour A was activated, with all electronic signs in the vicinity activated. It must have worked out very well as I-79 was clogged with trucks going southbound from MM 57 towards Charleston last night. The rest area at Servia was completely congested, with trucks parking along the shoulder for a mile away from the rest area.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on September 29, 2023, 10:59:22 AM
It's not Corten. It's brown paint. (Images from my flyover direct from the camera - not yet gotten around to editing the raw images.)

From some of the design studies, it looks like they anticipated Corten for the approach spans and floor system of the arch, with the above-deck portion of the arch being painted. https://www.bhjmpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Proposed-Ohio-River-Bridge-Deck-Width-Study-dated-Received-June-19-2014.pdf

That amount of difference in the brown paint in the apparently painted portion is odd. Not sure why that would be the case. Looks like they did touch-up work on sections and things didn't match.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on September 30, 2023, 01:53:04 AM
i think it's a tribute to the steel and dirt history of west virginia
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: SP Cook on October 15, 2023, 11:52:22 AM
https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/14/doh-making-changes-in-u-s-route-33-work-zone-following-tractor-trailer-crash/

This kind of stuff, sadly IMHO, is what the "fix local roads" opposition to things like Corridor H beget.  There really is not "fix local roads" option that makes any kind of sense.  Good safe roads, blasted through the mountains, save lives.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on October 15, 2023, 02:00:08 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/14/doh-making-changes-in-u-s-route-33-work-zone-following-tractor-trailer-crash/

This kind of stuff, sadly IMHO, is what the "fix local roads" opposition to things like Corridor H beget.  There really is not "fix local roads" option that makes any kind of sense.  Good safe roads, blasted through the mountains, save lives.
The article you've linked is regarding a guiderail/retaining wall project and the poor work zone traffic control that led to the crash.  Not sure how the content pertains to your comment.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 1995hoo on October 15, 2023, 02:10:01 PM
Quote
WVDOH

Every time I see this, I think it’s Homer Simpson’s favorite highway department.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on October 15, 2023, 04:42:16 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/14/doh-making-changes-in-u-s-route-33-work-zone-following-tractor-trailer-crash/

This kind of stuff, sadly IMHO, is what the "fix local roads" opposition to things like Corridor H beget.  There really is not "fix local roads" option that makes any kind of sense.  Good safe roads, blasted through the mountains, save lives.
The article you've linked is regarding a guiderail/retaining wall project and the poor work zone traffic control that led to the crash.  Not sure how the content pertains to your comment.

US 33's Allegheny Mountain crossing has long been an issue. It has a 10% grade that continues for several miles with several hairpin curves and no truck escape ramps. It's the worst of the crossings on US 33 east of Elkins. Completely fixing the crossing probably isn't feasible here, but blasting to straighten out the uppermost pair of hairpin curves and soften the lower curves would help tremendously.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Rothman on October 15, 2023, 04:55:58 PM
https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/14/doh-making-changes-in-u-s-route-33-work-zone-following-tractor-trailer-crash/

This kind of stuff, sadly IMHO, is what the "fix local roads" opposition to things like Corridor H beget.  There really is not "fix local roads" option that makes any kind of sense.  Good safe roads, blasted through the mountains, save lives.
The article you've linked is regarding a guiderail/retaining wall project and the poor work zone traffic control that led to the crash.  Not sure how the content pertains to your comment.

US 33's Allegheny Mountain crossing has long been an issue. It has a 10% grade that continues for several miles with several hairpin curves and no truck escape ramps. It's the worst of the crossings on US 33 east of Elkins. Completely fixing the crossing probably isn't feasible here, but blasting to straighten out the uppermost pair of hairpin curves and soften the lower curves would help tremendously.
Ok...but what does that have to do with the article?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 15, 2023, 08:44:43 PM
I'm not sure the work zone was really an issue. I just came through there several times in the past few days and it's well posted and advertised. It doesn't say what caused the accident but it could have been the driver was simply going too fast for conditions. That's not the fault of WVDOH but of an inexperienced or inattentive driver.

It's a long downgrade for trucks for certain, but the traffic volumes aren't there to build a four-lane highway east of what's already completed. US 48/Corridor H will take the burden off of whatever long-distance trucking remains on US 33 as it's just a short detour from US 48 to US 33 in Virginia.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on October 16, 2023, 12:24:12 PM
I'm not sure the work zone was really an issue. I just came through there several times in the past few days and it's well posted and advertised. It doesn't say what caused the accident but it could have been the driver was simply going too fast for conditions. That's not the fault of WVDOH but of an inexperienced or inattentive driver.

GMSV has September 2023 imagery showing the construction zone. There's a sequence of Road Work Ahead / One Lane Road Ahead / Be Prepared to Stop / Traffic Signal Ahead signs prior to the work zone. The One Lane Road sign is about 0.4-mile ahead of the actual closure, but this part is already on a steep downgrade. A VMS at the top of the mountain warning of the work zone might encourage truckers to keep their speed better under control. DOH did say they were lowering the speed limit for all vehicles to 30mph going down the mountain in response to the accident.

Some of the articles I've read have talked about trucks blowing through the mandatory truck stop at the top of the mountain. That's not WVDOH's fault. A truck escape ramp or lower set of mandatory stops might be helpful in general, but if truckers don't use them, it's still not going to do anything. There's one location just uphill of the current work zone that could work for a mandatory truck stop, but not an escape ramp. Building an escape ramp would require major blasting to relocate the road to even have space for it.

It's a long downgrade for trucks for certain, but the traffic volumes aren't there to build a four-lane highway east of what's already completed. US 48/Corridor H will take the burden off of whatever long-distance trucking remains on US 33 as it's just a short detour from US 48 to US 33 in Virginia.

Agreed. There's no need for four-laning US 33 east of Elkins or really even a brand new two-lane alignment. Some smaller-scale improvements like straightening the top of Allegheny Mountain, a passing lane on the western approach to Rich Mountain (relatively easy to build), and some curve-straightening along the WV 28 multiplex would be big improvements as funds allow.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on October 16, 2023, 02:20:10 PM
I get the various mountains mixed up, but the next-to-the-last time I was through there, they were building a truck lane on the mountain at the end of the "racetrack." The last time I was through there, it was complete.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 16, 2023, 02:29:30 PM
WVDOH completed upgrades of the eastbound US 33 crossing of Shavers Mountain east of the "racetrack" several years ago. It's not the "blasting" of the mountains that SP Cook would prefer, as this is near a federally designated wilderness and within the National Forest, but modest improvements allowed for the addition of a truck climbing lane. Clearing the vegetation back and adding better drainage has also allowed the roadway to dry out faster in the winter.

The next range over is Middle Mountain and then Rich Mountain. The big grade that has had the issues is east of Harman and WV 32 - Allegheny Mountain. The grades at North Fork and Shenandoah Mountains (the two ranges to the east) are just as gnarly.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 21, 2023, 08:09:13 AM
This is a reminder that US 19 is closed at the New River Gorge for... Bridge Day!
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on October 26, 2023, 09:39:53 PM
The cobblestone-paved US 52 bridge over two CSX tracks, James River Road, and Fourpole Creek is being replaced. Temporary ramps are being built at the junction with Interstate 64 to allow for one half of the bridge to be rebuilt at a time. The superstructure is being replaced while the piers will be shored up.

Bridge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nQ1xZWgcvuvSoUE29

I was kind of hoping they would have used this opportunity to soften the curve from Interstate 64 westbound to US 52 northbound. They have been stockpiling dirt and rock near the bridge for years and it looks like a stub for a bridge at this point.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 11, 2023, 07:04:14 PM
WVDOH just shut down the US 30 Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River after an inspection turned up structural concerns. It's expected to be closed for at least 3 weeks.

The existing bridge, completed in 1977, is notable for being the longest single simple-span truss bridge in the country.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/bridge-that-connects-ohio-west-virginia-near-pennsylvania-border-shut-down-emergency-repairs/LKRFKU2P7ZG6DEDJ2KCECS6XJY/

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: 74/171FAN on December 11, 2023, 07:10:23 PM
WVDOH just shut down the US 30 Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River after an inspection turned up structural concerns. It's expected to be closed for at least 3 weeks.

The existing bridge, completed in 1977, is notable for being the longest single simple-span truss bridge in the country.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/bridge-that-connects-ohio-west-virginia-near-pennsylvania-border-shut-down-emergency-repairs/LKRFKU2P7ZG6DEDJ2KCECS6XJY/

OH 39 east of US 30 in East Liverpool was already in rough shape.  This does not help at all.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 11, 2023, 08:20:42 PM
WVDOH just shut down the US 30 Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River after an inspection turned up structural concerns. It's expected to be closed for at least 3 weeks.

The existing bridge, completed in 1977, is notable for being the longest single simple-span truss bridge in the country.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/bridge-that-connects-ohio-west-virginia-near-pennsylvania-border-shut-down-emergency-repairs/LKRFKU2P7ZG6DEDJ2KCECS6XJY/

OH 39 east of US 30 in East Liverpool was already in rough shape.  This does not help at all.

That's because it's maintained by the City of East Liverpool, which was still hand-painting lines on pavement not that long ago. I did think it was interesting the listed detour routes sent traffic via Weirton instead of using the Shippingport Bridge accessible via OH 39/PA 68.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Buck87 on December 12, 2023, 11:50:38 AM
I bet the owners of the Newell Toll Bridge (now named the Wayne Six Toll Bridge) are happy right about now
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 12, 2023, 04:48:54 PM
WVDOH just shut down the US 30 Jennings Randolph Bridge across the Ohio River after an inspection turned up structural concerns. It's expected to be closed for at least 3 weeks.

The existing bridge, completed in 1977, is notable for being the longest single simple-span truss bridge in the country.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/bridge-that-connects-ohio-west-virginia-near-pennsylvania-border-shut-down-emergency-repairs/LKRFKU2P7ZG6DEDJ2KCECS6XJY/

WVDOH says an in-depth inspection found cracks in welds that were not visible to the naked eye. I believe the bridge just underwent the 6-year in-depth inspection WVDOH normally does on major structures. https://transportation.wv.gov/communications/PressRelease/Pages/WVDOH_finalizing_plans_for_permanent_repair_to_Jennings_Randolph_Bridge_in_Chester.aspx
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on December 12, 2023, 05:05:58 PM
This is intriguing. While I'm not a structural engineer, it appears that the cracking issue is common in structures built around the same time as the I-40 Memphis Bridge, a notable case in point. This observation brings to mind the US 41 bridges connecting Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

Plans are in place to dismantle the southbound bridge built in 1965, while the northbound bridge from 1932 will remain. The question arises: why this decision, given that both bridges have been assessed and are expected to remain serviceable until 2060 with regular maintenance? By that time, the southbound bridge would be 95 years old, and the northbound bridge would be 128 years old.

The answer lies in the construction materials and techniques used. The newer southbound bridge incorporated heat-treated high-strength steel in its critical structural components, such as connection gusset plates and thickened butt-welds at connections. These elements are prone to cracking. In contrast, the older northbound bridge was constructed using pins and eyebars, which have more redundancy and, presumably, greater durability. This situation leads me to speculate whether the Jennings Randolph Bridge might be experiencing similar issues.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on December 12, 2023, 05:45:33 PM
I can think of one catastrophic eyebar failure on an Ohio River bridge that occurred around this time of the year.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on December 12, 2023, 05:46:43 PM
I just saw I-195 posted in the RI thread, so that's two major bridges closed in 24 hours...
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 12, 2023, 06:06:16 PM
This is intriguing. While I'm not a structural engineer, it appears that the cracking issue is common in structures built around the same time as the I-40 Memphis Bridge, a notable case in point. This observation brings to mind the US 41 bridges connecting Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

Plans are in place to dismantle the southbound bridge built in 1965, while the northbound bridge from 1932 will remain. The question arises: why this decision, given that both bridges have been assessed and are expected to remain serviceable until 2060 with regular maintenance? By that time, the southbound bridge would be 95 years old, and the northbound bridge would be 128 years old.

The answer lies in the construction materials and techniques used. The newer southbound bridge incorporated heat-treated high-strength steel in its critical structural components, such as connection gusset plates and thickened butt-welds at connections. These elements are prone to cracking. In contrast, the older northbound bridge was constructed using pins and eyebars, which have more redundancy and, presumably, greater durability. This situation leads me to speculate whether the Jennings Randolph Bridge might be experiencing similar issues.

Electro-slag welding was common in the 1970s and caused issues in the past related to the heat from the weld. The Neville Island Bridge on I-79 developed serious cracks not long after it opened: http://pghbridges.com/articles/pressroto_nevilleisland_i79/index.htm . Perhaps these newer issues are artifacts of that technique.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 21, 2023, 11:34:00 AM
We've got another Ohio River bridge closure in the Northern Panhandle. This time, it's the 1905 Market Street Bridge at Steubenville, OH. The bridge is owned by WVDOH. Article here: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/21/doh-closes-second-bridge-in-northern-panhandle-this-month/

When the recently opened Wellsburg Bridge was in planning, it was intended as a replacement for this structure. If the Market Street Bridge needs more than minimal repairs, I wouldn't be surprised to see it permanently closed.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on December 21, 2023, 11:45:41 AM
Yikes. I am not surprised. It is getting close to needing major rehabilitation and I suspect that it will be demolished instead of repaired. It's a significant bridge structure but it has little aesthetic or economic value (in my opinion). It could become a linear park but it would connect downtown Steubenville to a four-lane expressway - not an ideal setting. And without significant renovations, the bridge would become a drain on taxpayer dollars.

-

Unrelated, I drove on the new WV 108 expressway around Bluefield a few days ago. Going from memory, it is signed for Welch and the airport going north. There is a supplemental ground sign advertising WV 108 as an alternate US 52 for through traffic.

The roadway is well-designed and nicely constructed without any dips/bumps. I hope it remains in good shape as the roadway bed in places remained unpaved for years - so it should have had ample time to settle. The four-lane segment ends north of the Christine West Bridge over US 19. It is signed for 55 MPH throughout, although the four-lane segments of WV 108 and US 52 could be signed for 65 MPH very easily.

There is an obvious stub for a roadway extension north of WV 123 (Airport Road).

Google Maps incorrectly lists this as US 52. It's not listed on Apple Maps.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Alps on December 21, 2023, 03:56:28 PM
We've got another Ohio River bridge closure in the Northern Panhandle. This time, it's the 1905 Market Street Bridge at Steubenville, OH. The bridge is owned by WVDOH. Article here: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/21/doh-closes-second-bridge-in-northern-panhandle-this-month/

When the recently opened Wellsburg Bridge was in planning, it was intended as a replacement for this structure. If the Market Street Bridge needs more than minimal repairs, I wouldn't be surprised to see it permanently closed.
https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/wv/oh
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 22, 2023, 09:29:47 AM
We've got another Ohio River bridge closure in the Northern Panhandle. This time, it's the 1905 Market Street Bridge at Steubenville, OH. The bridge is owned by WVDOH. Article here: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/21/doh-closes-second-bridge-in-northern-panhandle-this-month/

When the recently opened Wellsburg Bridge was in planning, it was intended as a replacement for this structure. If the Market Street Bridge needs more than minimal repairs, I wouldn't be surprised to see it permanently closed.

WVDOH says they closed the Market Street Bridge because of concerns about strands from the suspension cables breaking and fear the remaining strands might be over their carrying capacity: https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/21/doh-closes-second-bridge-in-northern-panhandle-this-month/. The bridge had already been cut to a 3-ton load limit.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: hbelkins on December 22, 2023, 12:49:13 PM
Unrelated, I drove on the new WV 108 expressway around Bluefield a few days ago. Going from memory, it is signed for Welch and the airport going north. There is a supplemental ground sign advertising WV 108 as an alternate US 52 for through traffic.

The roadway is well-designed and nicely constructed without any dips/bumps. I hope it remains in good shape as the roadway bed in places remained unpaved for years - so it should have had ample time to settle. The four-lane segment ends north of the Christine West Bridge over US 19. It is signed for 55 MPH throughout, although the four-lane segments of WV 108 and US 52 could be signed for 65 MPH very easily.

There is an obvious stub for a roadway extension north of WV 123 (Airport Road).

Google Maps incorrectly lists this as US 52. It's not listed on Apple Maps.

Is the two-lane segment on a four-lane right of way?
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on December 22, 2023, 01:32:13 PM
Yes - just like the other segments closer to Twisted Gun Gap and Gilbert, the second carriageway is graded.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 23, 2023, 02:52:36 AM
https://www.wboy.com/news/monongalia/54-million-going-to-i-79-chaplin-hill-road-project-at-wvu-exit/

$54 million going to I-79/Chaplin Hill Road project at WVU exit

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — Funding has been secured to repair and add to exit 155 on Interstate 79 in Morgantown, Sen. Joe Manchin’s office announced Friday.

The exit is the main access point from I-79 to Granville, Star City and West Virginia University, including Milan Puskar Stadium and the Coliseum.

According to the release, the project will include:
A total of $54,320,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation will go to the Monongalia County Commission for the project.

In the release, Manchin said that the investment, which is through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help create jobs in the area and make travel local travel safer.

“When we make smart investments in our roadways that hard-working West Virginians and small businesses rely on, we are building a better future for the state,” Manchin said.

In a separate release, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said that the upgrade will “make a transformational difference” in traffic for those who commute to and from Morgantown.

The Chaplin Hill Gateway Project will help improve traffic, increase safety, and upgrade core transportation infrastructure in Monongalia County. For all those who live and work in the area, as well as those traveling through, this funding will make a transformational difference and I’m excited for this project to move forward,” Capito said in a release from her office.

A timeline for the project was not mentioned in the release.

Back in March, $2 million for the project was secured through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.

Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: Bitmapped on December 23, 2023, 09:16:51 PM
https://www.wboy.com/news/monongalia/54-million-going-to-i-79-chaplin-hill-road-project-at-wvu-exit/

$54 million going to I-79/Chaplin Hill Road project at WVU exit

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — Funding has been secured to repair and add to exit 155 on Interstate 79 in Morgantown, Sen. Joe Manchin’s office announced Friday.

The exit is the main access point from I-79 to Granville, Star City and West Virginia University, including Milan Puskar Stadium and the Coliseum.

According to the release, the project will include:
  • Replacing the I-79 bridges of Chaplin Hill Road
  • Reconstructing the exit 155 interchange
  • Reconstructing the westbound I-79 flyover
  • Building a pedestrian and bicycle connection between the Star City bridge and the regional rail-to-trail network
A total of $54,320,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation will go to the Monongalia County Commission for the project.

In the release, Manchin said that the investment, which is through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help create jobs in the area and make travel local travel safer.

“When we make smart investments in our roadways that hard-working West Virginians and small businesses rely on, we are building a better future for the state,” Manchin said.

In a separate release, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said that the upgrade will “make a transformational difference” in traffic for those who commute to and from Morgantown.

The Chaplin Hill Gateway Project will help improve traffic, increase safety, and upgrade core transportation infrastructure in Monongalia County. For all those who live and work in the area, as well as those traveling through, this funding will make a transformational difference and I’m excited for this project to move forward,” Capito said in a release from her office.

A timeline for the project was not mentioned in the release.

Back in March, $2 million for the project was secured through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.

This project has been bandied about in some form for several years. Exit 155 is the main way in to northern Morgantown. The existing interchange is biased to traffic to/from the east (from Morgantown), but it's been struggling as more development has occurred west of the interchange. The stop-sign controlled offramps often have long queues during AM and PM rush.

The current plan is a diverging diamond for the interchange with I-79 itself and building a westbound flyover to eliminate the signal where US 19/WV 7 split off just east of the interchange. Chaplin Hill Road is also to be relocated west of the interchange, connecting to the 4-lane stub in the WestRidge development and then being rebuilt on top of the existing Martin Hollow Road.
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: edwaleni on December 28, 2023, 09:13:44 PM
More defects found on the Jennings Randolph.

https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/design-underway-for-permanent-repairs-to-bridge-that-connects-west-virginia-and-ohio/ (https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/design-underway-for-permanent-repairs-to-bridge-that-connects-west-virginia-and-ohio/)
Title: Re: West Virginia
Post by: seicer on February 19, 2024, 07:13:27 PM
Major streetscape and traffic calming improvements proposed for WV 210 and Minnesota Ave. in the vicinity of WVU Tech in Beckley:

WVU Tech Campus Corridor Project (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Pages/WVU-TECH-CAMPUS-CORRIDOR-PROJECT.aspx)

Join us on February 1, 2024, at Beckley City Hall for a public meeting to discuss the proposed WVU Tech Campus Corridor Project. Representatives from the West Virginia Division of Highways(WVDOH) and Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) will be available between 4 and 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed project and answer your questions.

The project involves traffic flow and streetscape improvements to South Kanawha Street (WV 210). The project consists of converting Minnesota Avenue to a one-way road and South Kanawha Street to a one-way road between Beaver Avenue/Johnstown Road and McCreery Street. Minnesota Avenue will also be extended to connect at Beaver Avenue. To improve traffic flow, roundabouts will be constructed at the intersections of WV 210 and McCreery Avenue and South Kanawha Street/WV 210 and Beaver Avenue.

--

I'm not as certain about converting WV 210 to one-way (toward downtown) from Church Street and McCreery Street.

WV 131 Benedum Drive Widening Project (https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/Pages/WV-131-Benedum-Drive-Widening-Project.aspx)

The West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (WVDOH) is seeking input on their project to widen a portion of West Virginia (WV) 131 (Benedum Drive) Bridgeport. The project consists of widening of WV 131 (Benedum Drive) Bridgeport from its junction with US 50 north to a point approximately 0.3 miles south of its junction with Interstate 79 (I-79). Approximately 3.12 miles of roadway will be widened.