It was more than 40 years ago, back in 1965 to be exact, that work began on Corridor H, a four-lane highway that wold link Interstate 79 in North Central West Virginia with the Virginia state line.
This four-lane road was considered to be one that could and would help improve that often-lagging section of West Virginia. There were certainly high hopes for it. And the sections of the highway now open have already helped the region’s economy — especially its skiing and tourism industries.
But that was 1965. This is 2009. The highway has not been completed, and the announcement was made recently that it is still at least three decades away from being completed. The West Virginia Division of Highways has estimated that it will need another $1.2 billion to finish the 130-mile, four-lane highway — another East-West route from West Virginia into Virginia.
The Associated Press reported that the timetable for the remaining construction, one that has been repeatedly stretched, now calls for work to begin on the final 31.5 miles in 2029. There was some progress last week on the project as the ribbon was cut for the bridge over the South Branch Potomac River in Hardy County. Paving has also begun on a 10-mile section leading up to that bridge in Hardy County.
But what all this means is that in more than 40 years, Corridor H has reached its halfway point. That’s really unbelievable. And Virginia abandoned plans to build its portion of the highway in 1995. Critics of the highway point out the lack of major cities along the route while objecting to its multimillion dollar cost.
Corridor H. has long been Sen. Robert C. Byrd’s “transportation crusade.” The people have been waiting for this system for 45 years, which is far too long. “Finish it!” the 92-year-old icon said. Byrd added an extra $4.5 million for Corridor H construction to the 2010 transportation appropriations bill.
Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, in addressing a group of Corridor H supporters recently in Petersburg, said that “building this road has been a trying experience. We’ve been talking about it since the ’60s, but now is the time to complete it.”
We would imagine that most of the people excited about Corridor H’s possibilities back in the 1960s have probably long since passed on or have retired. If 20 years pass before funds are made available for the final 31.5 mile-stretch, it may be time to begin replacing the concrete on the section already completed.
We feel as Sen. Byrd does. The highway has been under construction for more than 40 years. Finish it!
Opinion
‘Finish it’ appropriate message for Corridor H
- Opinion
-
-
Quit playing games; ‘do what is right’ in renewing extension of the payroll tax cut
Once again, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are working on a deal to extend a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans beyond the end of the month.
And once again, debate has ensued. -
Superintendent, BOE must find accord if schools are to progress
We’re a little confused.
In October, an item appeared on the agenda of a Marion County Board of Education meeting to hire an administrative assistant of Human Resources and Student Support Services. But the item was pulled from the agenda with no public discussion about why, and the position was not filled. -
George Esper: Outstanding man as correspondent and WVU professor
Many West Virginians would no doubt be shocked to learn that the outstanding correspondent from the Vietnam War was a West Virginia University graduate from Uniontown, Pa.
His name was George Esper, one familiar for many years around the WVU School of Journalism for his tenacious coverage of the Vietnam War that established him as a highly revered print reporter of the 20th century. -
Hiding state records has no place in a democracy
In private business and personal life, people may hide some activities, exercising their right of privacy. But government is different.
-
Results about Twitter, free from censorship
So Twitter announces that it will allow country-specific censorship. What followed was #outrage, #disbelief, #protest, #RighteousIndignation, #TwitterBlackout and #rage.
-
West Virginia must develop plan to fulfill highway needs
There is no dispute that improving West Virginia’s roads is one of the state’s biggest needs.
We use them daily — out of necessity and for pleasure.
They’re also vital to West Virginia’s economic health. -
Best interests would be served if FGH and city both move on
In December, Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Janes ruled that the Fairmont General Hospital Board of Directors can appoint its own members and that the City of Fairmont’s charter no longer applies to the hospital.
-
Educational partnership a step in the right direction
Officials involved in a new educational partnership between Pierpont Community & Technical College and FirstEnergy Corp. call the endeavor a “great opportunity.”
We think it’s even more than that. -
Meth causes senseless waste, terrible damage in West Virginia
Terrible damage is inflicted on West Virginia — and upon abusers and their families — because dopeheads feel compelled to blank out their minds with drugs of many sorts. We can’t understand the sad need that impels them. It causes a senseless loss to society and individuals, filling prisons and wrecking jobs.
-
Limited funds for workforce training can’t be wasted through drug abuse
There’s only so much money to go around when it comes to workforce training. And with the national economy still in a bit of a slump, there’s even less money to go around and even more of a reason to make the money invested in these programs count.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Quit playing games; ‘do what is right’ in renewing extension of the payroll tax cut
