ELKINS — The stretch of Corridor H from Kerens to Parsons is slated to open in 2026. 

State Senator Robbie Morris, who is chairman of the Corridor H Highway Authority, told The Inter-Mountain on Friday that new timelines for highway’s construction were talked about at the Highway Authority’s most recent meeting.

“The Department of Highways made a presentation to the legislative interim committee on Dec. 8, providing an update on the status of Corridor H and the various sections that are under construction and are being planned,” Morris said. “So the Corridor H Authority provided that update to our members last week.”

Perhaps the biggest news for area residents that was discussed at the Corridor H meeting was a date which has been set for the completion of the section from Kerens to Parsons.

“Everything from Kerens to the Route 72 interchange at Holly Meadows in Parsons is scheduled to be open to traffic by Memorial Day of 2026,” Morris said. “So you will be able to drive from Weston to Parsons without stopping by Memorial Day, so that’s really exciting.”

Morris expects an increase in traffic from Elkins to Parsons and vice versa once that section of the highway opens. 

“We already share quite a labor force population between Parsons and Elkins and Tucker and Randolph County,” Morris said. “Once Corridor H opens up, that drive is going to be a lot easier, safer, and quicker. Therefore I think you will see the communities combined economically, just like Elkins and Buckhannon do along the Corridor. I think you will see that same direction for Elkins to Parsons.”

Morris added that the first phase contract for the completion of the Wardensville to the state line section of Corridor H was going out to bid and that it will have a 2026 construction start date.

“The Wardensville to state line work gives us another section under construction in 2026, and then they plan on putting Phase 2 out to bid later in 2026 with a 2027 start date,” Morris said. “They’re planning to have that entire section completed by 2030 and the construction on the Parsons to Davis section is planned to begin in 2027.”

Morris said there’s been some hesitancy on the Parson to Davis section of Corridor H because the DOH has not formally selected a route yet. 

 “There are more hoops to jump through on that section so I think that date is still fairly soft,” Morris said. “They are working diligently to get that route selected and get that project out to bid.”

Morris feels that the new announcements are a step in the right direction toward the completion of Corridor H.

“With Corridor H and how long it’s taken, over 50 years right now, I tell people whether they are 2 or 92, if you want to see it finished, just take really good care of yourself,” Morris said. “We are working as hard as we can to get it all under construction and get it finished.”