Chairman D. Michael Goode opened the meeting. The minutes of the April 23, 1998, meeting of the Coalfields Expressway Authority were approved as submitted. Chairman Goode then turned the meeting over to Richard Browning, Executive Director of the Coalfields Expressway Authority.

Mr. Browning reported that some members of the Coalfields Expressway Authority had expressed concern that the Authority had not endorsed one of the four routes proposed for the new highway. After some discussion, the Authority voted to endorse parts of all four routes proposed. Specifically, the Authority voted to endorse Route E from the I-64/I-77 interchange near Beckley, WV, to the intersection of Route F just past Mullens, WV. From there, Route F was chosen until it reached Bradshaw, WV. From Bradshaw, Routes D or D1 were endorsed conditionally based upon routing from Virginia. The Authority felt that the endorsed route was best for the region for a number of reasons, including proximity to existing municipalities, medical facilities, schools, and industrial sites. It was also noted that this route was the route most talked about and favored during the public informational meetings held in April of this year. Browning was directed to make the Authority's position known to officials in the West Virginia Division of Highways.

Browning reported that the West Virginia Division of Highways has recommended that the Coalfields Expressway be numbered as U.S. Route 121. Browning noted that this designation was a very significant event and milestone in the development of this highway. Browning stated this number, however, is not official just yet, since the state of Virginia has to give its approval along with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Mr. Browning reported on the recently passed federal highway legislation, labeled "Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act of 1998" (BESTEA). Browning stated the bill is currently on President Clinton's desk awaiting his signature, and under the legislation, the Coalfields Expressway maintains its priority status and is earmarked to receive $22.69 million over six years. The roadway is also eligible to receive part of a $700 million sum of money based on a first come, first served, basis. Additionally, the State of West Virginia will receive $1.77 billion over the next six years and the Expressway is eligible to receive part of the new construction money within that amount. One of the contentious points between the House and State versions of the bill was the House's recommendation that the Highway Trust fund be taken "off budget" which means that the money in the fund could no longer be used to balance the federal budget or for other expenditures. The State bill left the money in the general revenue fund. The compromise reached was a modified "off budget" agreement which stated that the fund would remain within the federal budget but could only be used for highway projects. Under this arrangement, the $1.77 billion that West Virginia receives will increase over the next six years if revenues coming into the trust fund increase as expected. Overall, the $1.77 billion figure represents a 41 percent increase in federal funding for highways in West Virginia over the highway legislation passed in 1991. Browning publicly thanked Congressman Rahall and his staff for their efforts in negotiating the agreement.

Mr. Browning then reported on the Southern West Virginia Transportation Economic Development Summit recently co-hosted by the West Virginia Division of Highways and the West Virginia Development Office in Charleston. Browning reported that the Summit was extremely successful in meshing economic development ideas with the anticipated highway construction in southern West Virginia.

Browning asked the Authority for permission to establish an Internet homepage for the Coalfields Expressway Authority as a way of disseminating information to the public concerning the highway. Browning noted that the page could link to other highway organizations in West Virginia and Virginia as well as to important highway committees in the United States Congress.

Ms. Susan Stewart, Administrative Assistant, then provided the members with a monthly financial statement, which the members approved unanimously.

The next meeting of the Coalfields Expressway Authority will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 25, 1998, at the Coalfields Expressway Authority offices in Pineville, WV.