 |
|
September 25, 1998
The Coalfields Expressway Authority today released the map showing the preferred alternative for the Coalfields Expressway
|
|
|
|
PINEVILLE-- The Coalfields Expressway Authority today released the map showing the preferred alternative for the Coalfields Expressway as selected by the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVWVDOH). The preferred alternative was chosen from the four remaining alternatives and represents a combination of all four alternatives with some new connectors added to join the alternatives together in places to form the preferred alternative.
Executive Director of the Coalfields Expressway Authority Richard Browning praised WVWVDOH officials for their cooperation in picking the proposed alignment. "Although the proposed alignment is not exactly what the Authority endorsed, it is very close and with the connectors provided, it may be even better," Browning stated. "This is another important phase in the development of the highway and we look forward to the beginning of construction next year."
James Colby, the WVWVDOH representative on the Coalfields Expressway Authority, stated that the preferred alignment will be incorporated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which is being prepared for submission to the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) for approval. Colby stated that engineers are in the field at this time incorporating into the DEIS the changes to the route as a result of the preferred alignment selection. Colby expects the FWHA to approve the DEIS by November and noted that public hearings on the preferred alignment should begin shortly thereafter. After the hearings are held, Colby stated that information will be submitted once again to the FWHA for approval in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. After that approval is granted, a Record of Decision will be signed and final engineering work on the highway will begin.
The preferred alternative begins at the Virginia border near Slate and generally follows the alignment of WV 83 to the area of Atwell, where it proceeds to the north of the route. Near English, well north of the junction of WV 83 and WV 16, the alternative cuts across to the north of WV 16, passing through Coalwood, then south of Premier. After passing the northern corporation limits of Welch, the alignment stays to west of WV 16. Shortly after crossing the Wyoming County line, it cuts across WV 16 and remains far to the east of it before joining its general alignment for a short distance near Lambert Knob. Once again turning north of WV 16 near New Richmond, the alignment passes just north of Mullens near Otsego before crossing into Raleigh County south of WV 54. Generally following the alignment of Raleigh County 34 sough of Slab Fork for a distance, it then passes north of Sophia, providing a connection with existing WV 16 as it turns southward. North of and paralleling County 25, it joins the West Virginia Turnpike (I-77) at its junction with I-64 near Beckley.
Browning also informed members of the authority that three preliminary engineering design contracts for construction of the highway have been awarded, according to WVWVDOH officials. Under federal guidelines, up to sixty percent of the design of the highway may be completed before the Record of Decision is signed, Browning stated. The contracts for design thus far include the intersection of the Coalfields Expressway and King Coal Highway on the border of Wyoming and McDowell Counties at Indian Ridge; approximately eight miles of highway from that intersection south to the intersection with U. S. 52 in the Premier area of McDowell County; and approximately three miles of highway from the intersection with WV 16 in Raleigh County west toward the Sophia area.
Carl Urps, vice-chairman of the Coalfields Expressway Authority, stated that he was pleased that the contracts for the initial design had been let to serve all three counties involved and the initial construction of the highway in McDowell County would serve as a bypass for the City of Welch.
|
|
|
|
