Corridor H

[Beltway]

https://wvmetronews.com/2025/12/12/corridor-h-authority-says-2026-will-be-a-big-year-for-the-highways-development/

Per the article:

The 6.8 mile stretch from Wardensville to the Virginia border will be done in two phases and the first should be under contract any day now. The second phase is expected to be under contract in the first or second quarter of the new year. The section is expected to be finished by late 2030.

The Parsons to Davis section is 9.2 miles and is projected to begin design in 2026, right-of-way purchase in 2028, construction in 2031, and completion by 2034.

[Rothman]

https://wvmetronews.com/2025/12/12/corridor-h-authority-says-2026-will-be-a-big-year-for-the-highways-development/

Eesh.  Hope the Thomas-Davis segment was aligned as to not destroy those ever-increasing-tourist-dependent communities.

[SP Cook]

The tourist communities that exist only because the current parts of Corridor H exist, those tourist communities?

The last ditch efforts of the BANANA opposition has now focused on demanding a re-do of this segment, which would set this project, already decades behind, back for at least another decade. 

Its time to get this done.  The less than 1000 people that live along the segment will be fine.

[Rothman]

The tourist communities that exist only because the current parts of Corridor H exist, those tourist communities?

The last ditch efforts of the BANANA opposition has now focused on demanding a re-do of this segment, which would set this project, already decades behind, back for at least another decade. 

Its time to get this done.  The less than 1000 people that live along the segment will be fine.

That kind of blunt mentality keeps WV where it is on the reputation scale, let alone its poor performance against other states on a whole host of other variables.

But yes, my understanding is that it's too late in the process to change anything; I'm just hoping that the chosen alignment doesn't negatively affect an area that has actually shown some promise in a state with one of the lowest median household incomes in the country.

[Beltway]

The tourist communities that exist only because the current parts of Corridor H exist, those tourist communities?
The last ditch efforts of the BANANA opposition has now focused on demanding a re-do of this segment, which would set this project, already decades behind, back for at least another decade. 
Its time to get this done.  The less than 1000 people that live along the segment will be fine.

I drove the whole Corridor H in both directions in July, my first time.

I was surprised at the number of major towns along the way and the amount of rural population.

A good 4-lane corridor will provide vital access and mobility for the eight counties it passes through and connect them to the Interstate highway system (my I-66/I-81 comments are upthread).

That kind of blunt mentality keeps WV where it is on the reputation scale, let alone its poor performance against other states on a whole host of other variables.

West Virginia is diligently upgrading and expanding its highway system -- unlike states like New York.

[Rothman]

West Virginia is diligently upgrading and expanding its highway system -- unlike states like New York.

Well, it's got that going for it, then.

[Thing 342]

https://wvmetronews.com/2025/12/12/corridor-h-authority-says-2026-will-be-a-big-year-for-the-highways-development/

Eesh.  Hope the Thomas-Davis segment was aligned as to not destroy those ever-increasing-tourist-dependent communities.

Not sure what you're talking about here. Davis and Thomas aren't large towns at all and there won't be much impact to them (planned truck bypass of Thomas potentially notwithstanding). I could see the bridge over Blackwater Canyon having a visual impact but I don't see any major deforestation here, especially in comparison to the major hydroelectric and wind projects close by.

You can view the plans for the interchange with WV-32 here: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/CorridorHParsonsToDavis/Documents/maps.pdf

[Rothman]

https://wvmetronews.com/2025/12/12/corridor-h-authority-says-2026-will-be-a-big-year-for-the-highways-development/

Eesh.  Hope the Thomas-Davis segment was aligned as to not destroy those ever-increasing-tourist-dependent communities.

Not sure what you're talking about here. Davis and Thomas aren't large towns at all and there won't be much impact to them (planned truck bypass of Thomas potentially notwithstanding). I could see the bridge over Blackwater Canyon having a visual impact but I don't see any major deforestation here, especially in comparison to the major hydroelectric and wind projects close by.

You can view the plans for the interchange with WV-32 here: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/CorridorHParsonsToDavis/Documents/maps.pdf

A constructive response.  Thank you.

[Beltway]

West Virginia is diligently upgrading and expanding its highway system -- unlike states like New York.

Well, it's got that going for it, then.

If I had to chose which state to live in all factors considered -- guess which one.

[Plutonic Panda]

West Virginia is diligently upgrading and expanding its highway system -- unlike states like New York.

Well, it's got that going for it, then.

If I had to chose which state to live in all factors considered -- guess which one.

Would it matter if you Amazon package driver had to use the Key Bridge to get it to you?

[Beltway]

West Virginia is diligently upgrading and expanding its highway system -- unlike states like New York.

Well, it's got that going for it, then.

If I had to chose which state to live in all factors considered -- guess which one.

Would it matter if you Amazon package driver had to use the Key Bridge to get it to you?

I wouldn't want it to be on an MD-11F that had an engine detach from the wing on takeoff.

[Bitmapped]

You can view the plans for the interchange with WV-32 here: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/CorridorHParsonsToDavis/Documents/maps.pdf

That's not the current planned configuration of the interchange. See https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/major-projects/Corridor-H/route/Documents/Parson%20to%20Davis/2022-09-07-Corridor-H-Mainline-Roll-Plot-500.pdf for the current plan, which moves the interchange off WV 32.

[Rothman]

Will the real Corridor H please stand up?

[Plutonic Panda]

Article about the next segment opening in 2026:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2025/12/new-section-of-corridor-h-to-open-in-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO2i_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSM-5sINqQv4Gut1iAkSgw7E0FOzAMjIcNa3AP9y2kudoAkHvAVigdc-sdtQ_aem_4dp3GfLWPux1cifxOPpq_g

[Mapmikey]

Article about the next segment opening in 2026:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2025/12/new-section-of-corridor-h-to-open-in-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO2i_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSM-5sINqQv4Gut1iAkSgw7E0FOzAMjIcNa3AP9y2kudoAkHvAVigdc-sdtQ_aem_4dp3GfLWPux1cifxOPpq_g

I find it odd articles keep saying you'll drive nonstop from Weston to Parsons when there are several stoplights between these places on the highway...

[Beltway]

I find it odd articles keep saying you'll drive nonstop from Weston to Parsons when there are several stoplights between these places on the highway...

A good deal more than several. I suppose they mean that the Corridor H four-lane highway will be completed between those points.

[1995hoo]

Article about the next segment opening in 2026:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2025/12/new-section-of-corridor-h-to-open-in-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO2i_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSM-5sINqQv4Gut1iAkSgw7E0FOzAMjIcNa3AP9y2kudoAkHvAVigdc-sdtQ_aem_4dp3GfLWPux1cifxOPpq_g

I find it odd articles keep saying you'll drive nonstop from Weston to Parsons when there are several stoplights between these places on the highway...

The quotation I noticed in that particular article said "you'll be able to drive nonstop," which I interpret essentially as meaning "if you get lucky and hit all green lights." I have no idea how realistic that is, but I do recall back in the 1990s I once made it up US-29 from Charlottesville all the way to I-66 without hitting a red light anywhere north of the Rivanna River, so I understood the quotation as similar to that sort of thing.

[Dirt Roads]

Article about the next segment opening in 2026:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2025/12/new-section-of-corridor-h-to-open-in-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO2i_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSM-5sINqQv4Gut1iAkSgw7E0FOzAMjIcNa3AP9y2kudoAkHvAVigdc-sdtQ_aem_4dp3GfLWPux1cifxOPpq_g

I find it odd articles keep saying you'll drive nonstop from Weston to Parsons when there are several stoplights between these places on the highway...

The quotation I noticed in that particular article said "you'll be able to drive nonstop," which I interpret essentially as meaning "if you get lucky and hit all green lights." I have no idea how realistic that is, but I do recall back in the 1990s I once made it up US-29 from Charlottesville all the way to I-66 without hitting a red light anywhere north of the Rivanna River, so I understood the quotation as similar to that sort of thing.

As many times that I've driven Corridor H, Corridor L and Corridor D in West Virginia, I've never had to "stop" even though I've encountered red signals up ahead.  That can't be said about the northern stretch of Corridor D, nor the Princeton stretch of Corridor Q (but amazingly, I haven't had to "stop" along the Blueprince/Bluefield stretch. except when turning left off the road).  From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services. 

[Bitmapped]

Article about the next segment opening in 2026:

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2025/12/new-section-of-corridor-h-to-open-in-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRleAO2i_VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeSM-5sINqQv4Gut1iAkSgw7E0FOzAMjIcNa3AP9y2kudoAkHvAVigdc-sdtQ_aem_4dp3GfLWPux1cifxOPpq_g

I find it odd articles keep saying you'll drive nonstop from Weston to Parsons when there are several stoplights between these places on the highway...

The quotation I noticed in that particular article said "you'll be able to drive nonstop," which I interpret essentially as meaning "if you get lucky and hit all green lights." I have no idea how realistic that is, but I do recall back in the 1990s I once made it up US-29 from Charlottesville all the way to I-66 without hitting a red light anywhere north of the Rivanna River, so I understood the quotation as similar to that sort of thing.

As many times that I've driven Corridor H, Corridor L and Corridor D in West Virginia, I've never had to "stop" even though I've encountered red signals up ahead.  That can't be said about the northern stretch of Corridor D, nor the Princeton stretch of Corridor Q (but amazingly, I haven't had to "stop" along the Blueprince/Bluefield stretch. except when turning left off the road).  From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services.

It's basically impossible to get through Summersville with less than 3 stops on Corridor L, let alone the other places signals have sprung up. WVDOH really needs to look at converting some of these intersections to RIRO or building RCUTs, or at least adding some semblance of coordination through the more densely signaled areas.

Corridor D isn't too bad right now with just two signals between the built-up areas of Parkersburg and Clarksburg.

Corridor H is starting to getting bogged down between the four signals at Weston, 3 in the vicinity of Buckhannon, US 250 north, and WV 92 east. The newest signals east of Buckhannon really should have been RCUTs. Brushy Fork Road would work well as a RIRO. Anecdotally, the signal at WV 92/Harrison Avenue by Crystal Springs has actually made things worse, with at least one fatal rear-end collision, and has increased wait times to travel through the intersection.

There was at one point talk of converting the Corridor H/US 250 intersection to an interchange, but I don't think anything has come of that. I do expect at some point that the CR 151 intersection (old US 33) between the two signalized Randolph County intersections will get a light of its own.

I don't drive Corridor Q that often, but I will say that WVDOH tends to do a poor job of coordination along signal corridors. Some lag-lead optimization would probably help since the left turns are all protected.

[Dirt Roads]

As many times that I've driven Corridor H, Corridor L and Corridor D in West Virginia, I've never had to "stop" even though I've encountered red signals up ahead.  That can't be said about the northern stretch of Corridor D, nor the Princeton stretch of Corridor Q (but amazingly, I haven't had to "stop" along the Blueprince/Bluefield stretch. except when turning left off the road).  From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services.

It's basically impossible to get through Summersville with less than 3 stops on Corridor L, let alone the other places signals have sprung up. WVDOH really needs to look at converting some of these intersections to RIRO or building RCUTs, or at least adding some semblance of coordination through the more densely signaled areas.

Given that I've mostly worked in dense urban areas, Summersville seems like a breeze to me.  Unlike most of the posters on AARoads, I don't mind the speed restrictions and traffic slowdowns through Summersville.  It was busier than I expected when I went through there a month ago, but it was after midnight and the only red ball that I encountered along the way was at Birch River. 

[sprjus4]

As many times that I've driven Corridor H, Corridor L and Corridor D in West Virginia, I've never had to "stop" even though I've encountered red signals up ahead.  That can't be said about the northern stretch of Corridor D, nor the Princeton stretch of Corridor Q (but amazingly, I haven't had to "stop" along the Blueprince/Bluefield stretch. except when turning left off the road).  From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services.

It's basically impossible to get through Summersville with less than 3 stops on Corridor L, let alone the other places signals have sprung up. WVDOH really needs to look at converting some of these intersections to RIRO or building RCUTs, or at least adding some semblance of coordination through the more densely signaled areas.

Given that I've mostly worked in dense urban areas, Summersville seems like a breeze to me.  Unlike most of the posters on AARoads, I don't mind the speed restrictions and traffic slowdowns through Summersville.  It was busier than I expected when I went through there a month ago, but it was after midnight and the only red ball that I encountered along the way was at Birch River. 

The issue isn't the slowdown itself, it's the fact where it's happening. US-19 is otherwise a 65 mph divided highway that acts an interstate highway link for long distance through traffic connecting between I-77 and I-79. Having a long 50 mph zone and traffic signals isn't the best in that situation.

[Beltway]

From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services.

Every corridor I've used in that system operates as an expressway: limited access right-of-way, and grade separations where traffic volumes justify them. They're intentionally built below full Interstate standards because the cost difference is enormous. The whole point is to fill in mobility gaps and improve regional connectivity without trying to duplicate the Interstate system.

[ARMOURERERIC]

As many times that I've driven Corridor H, Corridor L and Corridor D in West Virginia, I've never had to "stop" even though I've encountered red signals up ahead.  That can't be said about the northern stretch of Corridor D, nor the Princeton stretch of Corridor Q (but amazingly, I haven't had to "stop" along the Blueprince/Bluefield stretch. except when turning left off the road).  From the viewpoint of many West Virginians', these highways speed up the trip significantly and are better than the Interstates because you don't have to "get off the road" for services.

It's basically impossible to get through Summersville with less than 3 stops on Corridor L, let alone the other places signals have sprung up. WVDOH really needs to look at converting some of these intersections to RIRO or building RCUTs, or at least adding some semblance of coordination through the more densely signaled areas.

Given that I've mostly worked in dense urban areas, Summersville seems like a breeze to me.  Unlike most of the posters on AARoads, I don't mind the speed restrictions and traffic slowdowns through Summersville.  It was busier than I expected when I went through there a month ago, but it was after midnight and the only red ball that I encountered along the way was at Birch River. 

I will not be travelling to Pittsburgh via Summerville this year, but WVaDot need to look at the school intersection signal on the north end, sit there at a red light every year for a good 3-5 mins at an intersection whose signal change was not even triggered by a cross street vehicle, the school is closed for the holiday.

[SP Cook]

https://www.wdtv.com/2026/01/13/wva-division-highways-start-next-section-corridor-h-this-spring/

Construction on Corridor H's last West Virginia section moves forward, with bids opening March 10th.

The project includes four separate contracts. Together, they'll build a 7-mile, four-lane highway—the easternmost section of Corridor H in West Virginia.

Construction will start in Wardensville and extend to the Virginia state line.

[Bitmapped]

The bid package shows the Wardensville-Virginia State Line section having a design exception for a 9% mainline grade, apparently on the grade heading up to the state line based on the text in the narrative. They said that to meet the 6% would require the project to "extend considerably into Virginia."

To me, spending hundreds of millions on a new alignment and skirting geometric standards calls into question why you're building the project in the first place. The apparent unwillingness to continue into Virginia to correct the grade also suggests VDOT isn't interested in participating in construction.