Little by little, the four-lane divided highway called Corridor H is punching its way across the mountainous terrain of eastern West Virginia. The project began in 1965 with a goal of one day easily linking Appalachia with metropolitan areas near the coast to promote economic development in the region and creating a safer passage across the Potomac Highlands.
A public workshop has been slated for Sept. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to discuss Corridor H's history and the need to finish the highway. The workshop will be conducted at the Landes Arts Center, 18 Mt. View St., Petersburg.
After the workshop, a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the bridge spanning the South Branch of the Potomac River at Moorefield is scheduled for 4 p.m. The bridge is the largest one along Corridor H. A police guided caravan will lead those interested in the ceremony to the new bridge, which has taken three years to complete.
Those scheduled to participate in the workshop include a representatives from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Federal Highway Administration and the West Virginia Division of Highways. The effects of the completed highway on the West Virginia tourism industry and Homeland Security are planned discussions. West Virginia Sen. Walt Helmick, D-15th District, and Delegate Bill Hartman, D-37th District, will also provide comments at the event.
Hartman says the rally and workshop will be a good event to learn about the history of Corridor H and its future.
The rally and ribbon cutting ceremony will feature speakers from various industries affected by the completion of Corridor H, local bluegrass band N-2 Pickin, East Hardy High School, Moorefield High School and Petersburg High School bands and cheerleaders. The Petersburg High School Chorus and ROTC unit are also scheduled to perform and present colors. Food and beverages, including hot dogs, soda, bottled water, hand-dipped ice cream and Kettle Korn will be served.
Since work on the roadway began, a total of 66 miles have been completed and opened to traffic. An additional 19 mile stretch between Moorefield and Scheer is currently under construction, while a 23 mile stretch connecting Scheer and Davis is under final design and waiting funding. Final design has not commenced on the remaining 45 miles, which includes sections between Kerens and Davis and Wardensville, and Strasburg, Va.
"Our goal some two decades ago, was to send a loud and compelling message for the need to build the highway, and now, because of the economic benefits that will come with its completion, it is up to us to echo the message loud and clear of the need to finish the project, once and for all," said Jim Cookman, chairman of the Committee for Corridor H. "The state's ski resorts in the Potomac Highlands have already seen an uptick in visitors from Ohio and Southern Pennsylvania, due to the Weston to Elkins portion of Corridor H."
Currently, a 10.37-mile paving contract is underway, which will connect the western edge of the Moorefield Bridge to Patterson Creek Road and Forman by fall 2010.
Reservations for the workshop are requested, but not required, and may be made by calling 304-530-3047 or 304-257-1725.
For more information on Corridor H, visit www.wvcorridorh.com.
