The Coalfields Expressway has been designed to serve an area from Interstates 77 and 64 near Beckley southwest through West Virginia to Virginia Route 83 in Buchanan County, VA at Slate (see map below). The Expressway will generally follow West Virginia Route 16 through Raleigh and Wyoming Counties, and West Virginia Route 83 in McDowell County. This four-lane highway project, 62 miles long, is now approaching its construction phase.

The old two-lane roadways have many deficiencies for today's transportation needs, including a high percentage of "No Passing" zones, many steep grades and areas of reduced speeds through many communities and school zones. Because of the evident need for improved highway service, the U. S. Congress in 1995 designated the Coalfields Expressway as a "Congressional High Priority Corridor." At the same time, Congress extended the Expressway concept further into Virginia, generally following Virginia Route 83 through not only Buchanan but also Dickenson and Wise Counties.

During the past decade, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) developed a series of possible alternative routes. After a series of public meetings, WVDOH determined the Preferred Alternative, which is shown in the map below.


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