Officials cut a ribbon for the opening of a nearly three mile stretch of Corridor H from Davis to Bismarck Thursday. The entire 9.89 miles from Davis to Bismarck is slated to be completed in late summer 2016.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS – Local, county, state and federal officials gathered Thursday near Davis to celebrate the opening of nearly 3 more miles of the Corridor H section stretching from Davis to Bismarck. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was slated to be on hand for the ribbon-cutting, however, wind gusts of more than 50 mph prevented his helicopter from making the trip.
Tom Smith, WV Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration, said it takes PEP to build roads like Corridor H.
“The first P stands for partnership,” Smith said. “The E stands for enthusiasm. It certainly takes persistence and enthusiasm to stay the course and get a project like this built. The final P stands for persistence. You have to take it one step at a time and eventually you have roads built.”
Smith said something that brings extra PEP to him is the innovation Secretary Paul Maddox and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin have brought with some of the financing they have brought.
“The next session of highway that is going to be under contract in the Kerens to Parsons Area, using innovative financing through Public Private Partnerships,” Smith said. “That is the way projects are getting built the rest of the way around the United States.”
Smith said another thing bringing extra PEP to him is that Congress has the wherewithal to come together on a long term funding bill.
“It looks like before Thanksgiving, Congress will be delivering a six-year highway bill to President Obama,” Smith said. “This will be the first time in a number of years we will have gotten that.”
Senator Joe Manchin III State Projects Coordinator Keith McIntosh said he knew the late Senator Byrd was smiling down upon Thursday’s celebration. He offered remarks from Manchin, who sent his regrets for not being able to attend.
“Infrastructure remains a top priority for me,” McIntosh said, reading Manchin’s remarks. “We must invest in our nation’s foundation. It’s time to start rebuilding America and that begins with strengthening and adding to our infrastructure in our own communities within West Virginia.”
McIntosh read that Manchin is a staunch supporter of Corridor H project and said he was proud to see it coming to fruition.
Aaron Sporck, from the office of Senator Shelley Moore Capito, offered remarks as well.
“50 years ago, the Appalachian Regional Commission designated Corridor H as one of 23 Corridors of the Appalachian Development Highway System. Construction began 14 years ago and today’s announcement of an additional three miles takes us another step closer to the highway’s completion.”
Sporck said completion of Corridor H would unleash the economic potential of the Potomac Highlands.
“Not only will construction create immediate construction jobs, but it will present the counties in the Potomac Highlands with significant economic development opportunities,” Sporck read. “The potential for manufacturing, distribution centers and technology centers along the Corridor are tremendous.”
Paul Mattox, WVDOT Secretary, said Corridor H is the only remaining Appalachian Development Corridor left to complete.
“We have made tremendous progress on this road in recent years,” Mattox said. “I became Commissioner in Jan. 2005. Since that time, we have opened more than 42 miles of this highway to traffic. I am proud to say today, the vast majority of Corridor H is now drivable.”
Mattox said he is hopeful they will continue the many years of aggressive progress and open the entire Corridor to traffic as soon as possible.
“I understand how important it is to this area and how promising it will be for the state as a whole,” Mattox said. “This is the third Public Private Partnership we have let in the past year.”
Tomblin’s statement said the state’s timber and tourism industries will benefit once the Corridor is completed.
“Every mile of Corridor H that has been completed makes it easier for visitors from the East Coast to come to West Virginia and support the large and small businesses that serve a growing part of our economy,” his statement said. “I look forward to seeing even more growth in the economy around the Potomac Highlands.”
Lowell Moore, Tucker County Commission President said the day is an exciting, history making day for Tucker County.
“The people of Tucker County have waited long and patiently to see the first 4-land road open into Tucker County,” Moore said. “This opens Tucker County roads up to the modern day 4-lane transportation system. It will improve the transportation of products in and out of the county by local businesses such as Mettiki Coal, Hinchcliff Lumber, Ricottilli Lumber and Kingsford Charcoal, as well as tourist and local traffic.”
Moore said he hopes the new 4-lane access into the county will encourage business growth.
“I believe this will improve economic growth through the county,” Moore said. “Travel on 4-lane roads is safer and faster.”
Moore said the completion of Corridor H from Davis to Kerens is more urgent to accommodate traffic through the mountainous areas of Tucker County on the remaining two lane roads.
Tucker County Commissioner Patrick Darlington said the Corridor H Ribbon Cutting was an exciting event.
“A 4-lane highway section coming into Tucker County is going to open and we are excited for that,” Darlington said. “It just shows more progress through the Corridor. The future looks bright with the highway.”
During Thursday’s ceremony, Randall Reid-Smith, Commissioner of the WV Division of Culture & History, performed the National Anthem.
Additional information about the Corridor H project is available online at www.corridorh2020.com.
