The Coalfields Expressway, along with the King Coal Highway and WV 10, was singled out to benefit from $51 million after the Senate gave final approval to a transportation bill, which will be sent to the President to be signed into law.  The money was added to the bill by U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd.  U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall was responsible for $3 million for WV10.

Since the early ‘90s, Byrd has added a total of $82.69 million to highway bills for construction of the 62-mile Coalfields Expressway.  The four-lane partially controlled access road stretches from Beckley to near Grundy, Va.  It intersects with the King Coal Highway, another key highway in Southern West Virginia,  near Welch. 

“These two roads, which will run through the heart of West Virginia’s historic coalfield communities, can become the crucial link to new development.  In a changing economy, these roads will provide crucial infrastructure improvements that will allow the area to compete for new jobs and growth,” Byrd said.

While the funds are substantial, highway sources note that major highway construction in the rugged terrain in Southern West Virginia, is an expensive, long-term project.  A mile of construction can cost from $10 to $30 million and take up to eight years to plan and build.