West Virginia

[GCrites]

I would say those two added up to more than 5 tons.

[SP Cook]

https://wvmetronews.com/2026/01/20/after-corridor-h-whats-the-next-big-road-project-in-w-va/

[ARMOURERERIC]

I would think extending I68 to Wheeling, bypassing the PA Turnpike, followed by 6 laning 79 from exit 125 to the PA line would be the biggest ROI for economic growth.

[The_Ginger]

I would think extending I68 to Wheeling, bypassing the PA Turnpike, followed by 6 laning 79 from exit 125 to the PA line would be the biggest ROI for economic growth.

I-68 to Wheeling, and a possible I-168 OR non-interstate 4-lane OR Super 2 to connect with US-50 or Parkersburg, if possible.

[The Ghostbuster]

While some have supported extending Interstate 68 westward, I don't see it happening anytime soon. Heck, West Virginia can barely get the Coalfields Expressway and the King Coal Highway constructed, let alone construct an extension of Interstate 68.

[Bitmapped]

I would think extending I68 to Wheeling, bypassing the PA Turnpike, followed by 6 laning 79 from exit 125 to the PA line would be the biggest ROI for economic growth.

There is zero reason to extend I-68 west of Morgantown. There's nothing out there. The largest town in the 75 miles between Morgantown and Moundsville is Cameron, population 849. The corridor is already well-served by I-70 and I-79.

WVDOH eventually plans to widen I-79 between Fairmont and Morgantown. The bridges are being replaced over time with wider structures that can accommodate it. There's no need to widen north of Exit 155, and WVDOH doesn't plan to either - replacement bridges are 4 lanes here.

The biggest ROI for WV's highway dollar is largely in upgrades to the existing network. Targeted projects to soften curves and small relocations, to add turn lanes, and do widenings on the existing alignment are far cheaper and more cost-efficient than nearly any new alignment would be at this point.

The only places where I really see new alignments making sense are:

• WV 9 between Berkeley Springs and Martinsburg, perhaps with western part as 2 lanes
• US 522 if not dualized
• Elkins bypass for US 250
• Martinsburg eastern or far southern bypass for WV 9
• Lewisburg bypass for US 219

[PColumbus73]

It would be nice if they fixed all the bumps and dips on US 35.

[Rothman]

I would think extending I68 to Wheeling, bypassing the PA Turnpike, followed by 6 laning 79 from exit 125 to the PA line would be the biggest ROI for economic growth.

There is zero reason to extend I-68 west of Morgantown. There's nothing out there. The largest town in the 75 miles between Morgantown and Moundsville is Cameron, population 849. The corridor is already well-served by I-70 and I-79.

WVDOH eventually plans to widen I-79 between Fairmont and Morgantown. The bridges are being replaced over time with wider structures that can accommodate it. There's no need to widen north of Exit 155, and WVDOH doesn't plan to either - replacement bridges are 4 lanes here.

The biggest ROI for WV's highway dollar is largely in upgrades to the existing network. Targeted projects to soften curves and small relocations, to add turn lanes, and do widenings on the existing alignment are far cheaper and more cost-efficient than nearly any new alignment would be at this point.

The only places where I really see new alignments making sense are:

• WV 9 between Berkeley Springs and Martinsburg, perhaps with western part as 2 lanes
• US 522 if not dualized
• Elkins bypass for US 250
• Martinsburg eastern or far southern bypass for WV 9
• Lewisburg bypass for US 219

You would think if extending I-68 was desired, that it would have been added to the Appalachian Development Highway System.

[GCrites]

I'm going with the No Build alternative.

[Mapmikey]

You would think if extending I-68 was desired, that it would have been added to the Appalachian Development Highway System.

Don't know when WV got interested but they did create the WV 2 and I-68 Authority in 1997, which is still active.

Here is a July 2025 news item from their site: https://route2i68authority.com/in-the-news-2/

This map used to be on their site but now they just have a WV 2 improvement map, as WV 2 is actively getting improvements.

[Rothman]

You would think if extending I-68 was desired, that it would have been added to the Appalachian Development Highway System.

Don't know when WV got interested but they did create the WV 2 and I-68 Authority in 1997, which is still active.

Here is a July 2025 news item from their site: https://route2i68authority.com/in-the-news-2/

This map used to be on their site but now they just have a WV 2 improvement map, as WV 2 is actively getting improvements.

Creating a promotional "authority" is still degrees away from a state having interest in a project.  28 years and they're still promoting without the State taking any action on it.

At least NYSDOT studies the Rooftop once or twice a decade...

(personal opinion emphasized)

[jre1121]

Any updates on the progress of the WV2 relocation through New Cumberland?

[Dirt Roads]

Any updates on the progress of the WV2 relocation through New Cumberland?

Did you hear about the endangered bats?  This environmental finding required that grubbing and clearing could not start until after mid-November 2025 after the bats relocate from the trees to hibernate in caves.  No word on whether the weather has let up enough to start tree removal yet.

[Bitmapped]

Any updates on the progress of the WV2 relocation through New Cumberland?

Did you hear about the endangered bats?  This environmental finding required that grubbing and clearing could not start until after mid-November 2025 after the bats relocate from the trees to hibernate in caves.  No word on whether the weather has let up enough to start tree removal yet.

This is standard for WVDOH work. Tree trimming and removal happens in the winter. There's been plenty of tree trimming going on for the past two months, and clearing for the proposed I-79 Harmony Grove interchange near Morgantown.

[SP Cook]

Bitmapped is 100% correct about I-68 (which, BTW, would not bypass the PA Turnpike, the tolled section of I-70 is further east).  This has been a thing for the Morgantown locals for decades, but a theoretical I-68 from Morgantown to Wheeling would only be five or so miles shorter than the existing 79-70, and would go through a very rural area with little population and no development potential.

As to other ideas, the eastern panhandle has to be treated almost like another state.  The infill of DC suburban tract housing continues and will eventually move over into Morgan County.  (That is about as far as it will ever get, after that it is real mountains and at the limit of a logical commute time anyway).  A four lane 522 strikes me, being a short cut between I 81 and the Penna Turnpike to be a great toll road.  That probably won't happen, but its eventual four lane upgrade and other roads to make the county amenable to suburban development is needed.

As for the other ideas, the only interstate that needs a six lane upgrade is I-64, with the remaining sections being MP 6 to 15 and 20 to 39.  The traffic load on I 79 is way too low to justify such an expense, and the layout of development is totally different.  Huntington-Charleston development is along the interstate, while 79 acts as a traditional bypass of the three towns.

A four lane route 2 (or OH 7) has been a thing forever.  It is unrealistic, because of the industrial development in many areas, making ROW coasts unaffordable. 

The Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway make no sense.  Never have.  Only takes a few miles off existing roads between the end points, and traverses an area with no economic potential whatsoever.   

Really, leaving aside the eastern panhandle, the next priority after H (which is one of the most important roads in the whole region) the next big thing really is, well, nothing.   

[Bitmapped]

As for the other ideas, the only interstate that needs a six lane upgrade is I-64, with the remaining sections being MP 6 to 15 and 20 to 39.  The traffic load on I 79 is way too low to justify such an expense, and the layout of development is totally different.  Huntington-Charleston development is along the interstate, while 79 acts as a traditional bypass of the three towns.

Huh? I-79 traffic counts in the section generally discussed for widening between Clarksburg and Morgantown are, if anything, higher than those stretches of I-64.

I-64 2024 traffic counts:
Exit 6 to Exit 8: 34,675
Exit 8 to Exit 11: 40,476
Exit 11 to Exit 15: 42,799
Exit 20 to Exit 28: 34,607
Exit 28 to Exit 34: 33,353
Exit 34 to Exit 39: 37,938

I-79 2024 traffic counts:
Exit 125 to Exit 132: 39,616
Exit 137 to Exit 139: 40,257
Exit 139 to Exit 146: 40,837
Exit 146 to Exit 148: 41,626
Exit 148 to Exit 152: 45,505
Exit 152 to Exit 153: 47,586
Exit 153 to Exit 155: 38,453

[SP Cook]

Facts and numbers beat perceptions, so I stand corrected.

My perception is that that area of 79 is almost bucolic, never does that road seem crowded or anything near capacity, while the reverse is true for 64.

BTW, not doubting you at all, but where are these numbers?  I would love to see the whole system's numbers.

[Dirt Roads]

Facts and numbers beat perceptions, so I stand corrected.

My perception is that that area of 79 is almost bucolic, never does that road seem crowded or anything near capacity, while the reverse is true for 64.

BTW, not doubting you at all, but where are these numbers?  I would love to see the whole system's numbers.

At least a few of those number show up on WVDOH's AADT Map.  This ought to be the best source.  The new map background is pretty cool, but I liked the old AADT map better because it showed AADT numbers in both directions of travel for the Interstates and expressways.  Sadly, those numbers never became a nationwide standard.  But you will find a goodly number of AADT figures for onramps/offramps.

[The_Ginger]

Facts and numbers beat perceptions, so I stand corrected.

My perception is that that area of 79 is almost bucolic, never does that road seem crowded or anything near capacity, while the reverse is true for 64.

BTW, not doubting you at all, but where are these numbers?  I would love to see the whole system's numbers.

At least a few of those number show up on WVDOH's AADT Map.  This ought to be the best source.  The new map background is pretty cool, but I liked the old AADT map better because it showed AADT numbers in both directions of travel for the Interstates and expressways.  Sadly, those numbers never became a nationwide standard.  But you will find a goodly number of AADT figures for onramps/offramps.

There are also PDF maps available.

[seicer]

WVDOH awards contract to renovate interstate bridges in Charleston

A project to renovate four interstate bridges on Interstate 77 in Charleston is among 31 construction contracts awarded by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
 
Triton Construction Inc. was awarded a contract for $11,545,000 to renovate the Stadium Place Bridge, Greenbrier Street Bridge, Greenbrier Street Underpass, and Booker T. Washington Bridge on I-77. The bridges will receive deck overlays and minor structural repairs, and are part of a planned renovation of more than 35 bridges in and around Charleston.

-

Also awarded is a significant concrete replacement project on US 22 between the Ohio River and the Harmon Creek Bridge.

[Bitmapped]

WVDOH says the Wheeling Suspension Bridge will remain permanently closed to vehicles. https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2026/02/wvdoh-no-more-vehicular-traffic-on-historic-wheeling-suspension-bridge/

[PColumbus73]

Probably the best outcome for the bridge.

[hbelkins]

Glad I got to cross it before it closed. Just wish I had been able to do the Aetnaville bridge.

[74/171FAN]

I mean you can still walk-clinch it like I did in 2024.

[hbelkins]

I thought the Aetnaville bridge was closed to pedestrian traffic. Do you mean the Wheeling bridge?

I mean you can still walk-clinch it like I did in 2024.