Editor,
Over 5,000 individuals have now signed a Change.org
petition advocating for a northern route for Corridor H between Parsons and Davis. Thomas resident
and Tucker County native Rachelle Davis initiated the petition titled A Better Route for Corridor H.
Davis said that she started the petition to make it convenient for local residents to voice
concerns about the West Virginia Department of Highways’ (DOH) preferred route known as the
Revised Original Preferred Alternative (ROPA). “When public meetings resumed with DOH
representatives, we were shocked to be presented with just one route. Many of us of fully expected to
see at least two options,” Davis explained.
“The petition has been shared 1,365 times since June, so naturally, not everyone who has
endorsed it is from the area or even the state,” Davis said. “It has reached a wide audience of locals,
former residents, second homeowners, vacationers, and those who have other ties to the area or who
just appreciate our unique region and the road’s potential impact on us. People are especially familiar
with Blackwater Falls State Park and the Blackwater Canyon, great areas of concern,” she added.
A paper petition also is circulating locally, and hundreds of individuals and business owners
have signed that version to support a different route from Parsons to Davis. Both petitions state that
the DOH-favored route would undermine the connection between the local communities and make it
dangerous to travel between the towns on foot or bicycle. “An elevated 4-lane highway through the
beautiful Blackwater area is not in the interest of the local economy. Valuing our natural resources and
public lands adds to our quality of life and draws people to our communities. These visitors create jobs
in Thomas, Davis, and Canaan Valley.”
Hendricks resident and Tucker County native Lucas Warner is one of 180 Change.org petition
signers who provided a comment along with his signature. “The northern route preserves the historic
and scenic integrity of the communities and landmarks through which the highway passes. It is not only
my home but is, in fact, one of the primary destinations of the corridor for folks traveling from both
directions,” Warner stated.
Davis business owners and other individuals filled Davis City Hall to capacity during a recent
meeting of the city council where project engineer Travis Long and other DOH representatives were
invited to address questions. Saundra Goss, owner of a popular Davis restaurant, was on the agenda.
She expressed frustration during the meeting, saying she feels those with valid concerns about the
DOH-preferred route have been ignored. Goss hosted a fundraising event last year at her restaurant to
support the Better Route movement. “We all understand this highway is a permanent addition, and we
only want the choice of location to be the best possible placement for our communities,” Goss said
earlier.
More information, including maps, project history, and links to news coverage, is available at
https://www.wvhighlands.org/highways/, https://www.saveblackwater.org/corridor-h, and
https://transportation.wv.gov/.
