Corridor H

[seicer]

There isn't much land available for rebuilding along the existing right-of-way south of Williamson. It is almost entirely uncontrolled access, with the entire route essentially built-up as the road goes through the heart of every coal camp and town.

The Tolsia Highway is a bit different as much of that was built new from the 1950s onward, and some of the existing alignment will be retained.

[Bitmapped]

There isn't much land available for rebuilding along the existing right-of-way south of Williamson. It is almost entirely uncontrolled access, with the entire route essentially built-up as the road goes through the heart of every coal camp and town.

The Tolsia Highway is a bit different as much of that was built new from the 1950s onward, and some of the existing alignment will be retained.

Those towns are what generate the traffic along the US 52 corridor. Through traffic is minimal south of Williamson and that's not likely to change. A new routing away from where traffic wants to go has greatly reduced utility.

Realigning some of the slower curves, building turn lanes in places, and occasional passing lanes would significantly improve the performance of the road. It's not going to be a 65mph route but something that people could consistently drive 30-35mph in town, 40-45 in built-up areas, and 50-55+ outside of town would be a huge improvement and appropriate for the amount of traffic, population, and terrain.

[vdeane]

see US 6/US 50 through NV and most rural roads out west

Those aren't four-lane limited-access highways.

[Henry]

see US 6/US 50 through NV and most rural roads out west

Those aren't four-lane limited-access highways.

I never said anything about them being four lanes, or even limited-access. I was only referring to them in general, with nothing specified as to what type they were (aside from being ones that "go through absolutely nothing").

[vdeane]

see US 6/US 50 through NV and most rural roads out west

Those aren't four-lane limited-access highways.

I never said anything about them being four lanes, or even limited-access. I was only referring to them in general, with nothing specified as to what type they were (aside from being ones that "go through absolutely nothing").

Given that the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway both are, however, I would say that comparing them is basically comparing apples to oranges.

[seicer]

Gov. Justice announces $77 million contract for major bridge project on Corridor H, will complete Kerens to Parsons section
11/4/2024

BLUEFIELD, WV — Gov. Jim Justice today announced the contract award for Roaring Run Bridge, completing the Kerens to Parsons section of Corridor H. Triton Construction Inc. has been awarded the over $77 million project.

Gov. Justice made the announcement during an event along the King Coal Highway, where he announced another contract award.

"Getting the Roaring Run Bridge project off the ground is just another piece of the puzzle for Corridor H," Gov. Justice said. "This final piece for the Kerens to Parsons section is a massive milestone in our ultimate goal of finishing this corridor. These announcements bring us closer to running through the finish line on Corridor H. I've said it over and over again, but Corridor H is the most important project for West Virginia. Celebrating these days feels amazing, and when we finally say that Corridor H is finished, it will be a historic day for West Virginia."

Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, P.E. said. "This accomplishment involved many late nights of work and after-hour meetings involved in coordinating with our partners at FHWA, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Monongahela National Forest, local leaders, our design consultants, and residents of the local communities. With this project now being underway, only two sections remain in achieving the ultimate goal of fully completing Corridor H."

Kerens to Parsons carries Corridor H through some of the most rugged terrain on the entire route.

When Gov. Jim Justice took office in 2017, he made completing Corridor H a priority of his administration. The four-lane highway begins at Weston and travels across central West Virginia to eventually link up with Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia.

The highway is expected to open some of West Virginia's most remote areas in Grant, Tucker, and Hardy counties to economic development, connect West Virginia's highlands with eastern ports, speed travel times through the mountains, and provide a smooth, safe highway for travelers and residents.

[The Ghostbuster]

When is the 9-mile stretch of US 48 between Parsons and Davis supposed to start construction? Is the construction date still 2031, as Wikipedia states?

[Bitmapped]

When is the 9-mile stretch of US 48 between Parsons and Davis supposed to start construction? Is the construction date still 2031, as Wikipedia states?

They still have to select an alignment.

[bluecountry]

I'm stunned nobody has posted the most recent news:
https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/west-virginia-moves-to-complete-corridor-h-to-state-border-virginia-plans-for-impacts/article_7197fcc4-ff4f-54ac-9614-382c25a59803.html?emci=c4cd405b-ba27-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&emdi=94dfc6a0-ba27-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&ceid=5913859

A half-century-old highway battle is resurfacing at the West Virginia–Virginia border, as the Mountain State moves to extend Corridor H to the state line, creating pressure for Virginia to respond.

Local officials, conservationists and residents are warning that a major influx of truck traffic, environmental damage and potential economic disruption could follow — even if Virginia refuses to extend the highway.
Much of the highway is already built in West Virginia, except for a final 6.8-mile stretch from Wardensville to the state line. The West Virginia Division of Highways is currently accepting public comment on plans to complete the stretch, with construction possible as early as late summer.

This can't be right, construction may start this summer???
Hopefully this gets killed again, what an awful environmentally harmful taxpayer project.

[sprjus4]

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/west-virginia-moves-to-complete-corridor-h-to-state-border-virginia-plans-for-impacts/article_7197fcc4-ff4f-54ac-9614-382c25a59803.html?emci=c4cd405b-ba27-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&emdi=94dfc6a0-ba27-f011-8b3d-6045bded8cca&ceid=5913859

A half-century-old highway battle is resurfacing at the West Virginia–Virginia border, as the Mountain State moves to extend Corridor H to the state line, creating pressure for Virginia to respond.

Local officials, conservationists and residents are warning that a major influx of truck traffic, environmental damage and potential economic disruption could follow — even if Virginia refuses to extend the highway.
Much of the highway is already built in West Virginia, except for a final 6.8-mile stretch from Wardensville to the state line. The West Virginia Division of Highways is currently accepting public comment on plans to complete the stretch, with construction possible as early as late summer.

Approximately 6.8-miles long, the Wardensville to VA Project is the easternmost portion of the Corridor within WV. Currently, all east-west traffic must use existing US 48 / WV 55, which is a two-lane road with narrow shoulders, steep grades and sharp curves. Construction of the project will provide a safer, more efficient roadway option to through traffic, including heavy trucks and emergency vehicles.

Glad to see that this final piece is going forward.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/476b7a6eddf240ec9a0f19e59f89e473

[Life in Paradise]

The real benefit of the road is not received unless it reaches I-81 as it should.  I read some of the comments from the newspaper article, and I would not be surprised if they had relatives that lived around Bloomington, Indiana who protested I-69.  There is likely already more traffic on VA-55 due to what has been completed.  Just by saying that extending the road past Wardensville to the state line would add truck traffic is a bit silly, since truck traffic currently has nowhere else to go but east as it is now unless they go up via I-79 and then I-68 through Cumberland.  Also by saying that there will be added truck traffic also says that there is a need for the road.

[The Ghostbuster]

It has always been considered that the Virginia segment was going to be the least likely to be constructed. I wouldn't have been surprised if the four-lane US 48 bypassed Wardensville and terminated at the state line (or if the four-laning of Corridor H ended where it ends now just west of Wardensville). I don't think safety and design improvement to the existing two-lane roadway (as conservation group are recommending) will be sufficient enough. Despite the impacts, Corridor H likely needs to be completed as a four-lane highway throughout the entire duration of US 48.

[hbelkins]

Maybe they'll finally get rid of that ridiculous 25 mph speed trap through Wardensville.

[Beltway]

It has always been considered that the Virginia segment was going to be the least likely to be constructed. I wouldn't have been surprised if the four-lane US 48 bypassed Wardensville and terminated at the state line (or if the four-laning of Corridor H ended where it ends now just west of Wardensville). I don't think safety and design improvement to the existing two-lane roadway (as conservation group are recommending) will be sufficient enough. Despite the impacts, Corridor H likely needs to be completed as a four-lane highway throughout the entire duration of US 48.

I believe it will be. WVA Corridor H still has 31 miles uncomplete, of which 20 miles is not under construction, so it is not of a priority yet for VA.

People along the I-66 corridor heading west that would currently use I-64 will find use of a completed Corridor H would save about 80 miles and be on an expressway-grade highway with average speeds about the same as a freeway. There are interregional justifications as well.

The ARC still has federal funding allocated for all of Corridor H.

Corridor Q is now finally to be complete in 2027. The missing section was also in a remote bi-state area, about 24 miles KY/VA. Both states are finally finishing it.

A long time from 1965 when the ADHS system was authorized, and there still are sections that remain to build.

This is my proposed corridor --