Elkins to the Virginia state line U.S. Route 48

1 elkins virginia state line

1.1 phase 1: elkins kerens
1.2 phase 2: kerens parsons
1.3 phase 3: parsons davis
1.4 phase 4: davis bismarck
1.5 phase 5: bismarck forman
1.6 phase 6: forman moorefield
1.7 phase 7: moorefield baker
1.8 phase 8: baker wardensville
1.9 phase 9: wardensville virginia state line
1.10 lawsuits , settlements

elkins virginia state line

another 7-mile (11 km) segment completed canfield bowden east of elkins , dubbed racetrack vast improvement on old alignment , isolation other four-lane highways. northern bypass of elkins connect 2 segments of corridor h, however, never constructed segments east of bowden met intense opposition. meanwhile, alignment following u.s. highway 33 seneca rocks , wv 55/va 55 strasburg, virginia favored within west virginia department of transportation.

in 1981, west virginia department of transportation began planning new alignment east of bowden along u.s. highway 33 , wv 55/va 55. draft environmental impact statement (deis) issued. funding issues, however, caused project put on hold until 1990. no final environmental impact statements or record of decisions completed.

in 1990, project resurrected , reevaluation of corridor h alignment east of bowden conducted. new deis prepared , corridors considered in 1981 deis studied equally. scoping meetings held october. purpose , need documentation completed in march 1992 , corridor selection draft environmental impact statement (csdeis) completed in october.

in 1993, revised eis published new route go north elkins moorefield , virginia. many citizens, however, felt improving existing routes better alternative. of 4,000 comments written in 1995 @ public meetings, on half opposed new corridor h alignment. cited damage 2 national forests, 41 streams, historical sites, civil war battlefields, farms , main street businesses. some, costs outweighed benefits.

in october 1994, alignment selection draft environmental impact statement (asdeis) issued. deis focused on alignment selection within preferred corridor identified within csdeis.

in april 1996, federal environmental impact statement (feis) issued consisted of revised version of asdeis along of csdeis. in september, record of decision issued on preferred alignment east of bowden.

phase 1: elkins kerens

in october 1998, first contract corridor h s construction east of elkins awarded 33 219.

a 5.48-mile (8.82 km) segment of corridor h opened traffic on august 12, 2002. segment of four-lane expressway stretches cr 11 west of elkins cr 7 near kerens , includes 1 interchange in project u.s. highway 219. finished under 6 contracts totaling $87.6 million. then-governor bob wise celebrated historic opening senator robert c. byrd , transportation secretary fred vankirk.

on august 19, three-mile (5 km) segment dedicated cr 1 cr 23/4 constructed under 2 contracts totalling $24.1 million. completed nine-mile (14 km) phase 1 segment.

phase 2: kerens parsons

this 13.5-mile (21.7 km) segment of corridor h travels through randolph , tucker counties; more county route 7 near kerens future u.s. highway 219 interchange approximately 2 miles east of parsons. proceeding northward county route 7, have span @ wilmouth run , county route 3. alignment turns more northeastward, entering monongahela national forest, crossing south branch of hadix run road , u.s. highway 219. has 1 final water crossing @ cheat river before concluding @ county route 219/4.

in parsons, public informational meeting held on september 26, 2000. alignments studied , settlement agreement allowed construction continue on segments in hardy , randolph counties. chosen avoid corricks ford battlefield.

alternative df chosen preferred alternative highway , in october 2001, federal highway administration gave go-ahead supplemental draft environmental impact statement. federal environment impact statement completed in april 2002 record of decision approved in june of year.

the department of highways received approval supplemental final environmental impact statement in october 2002. commenting period extended 60 days february 25, 2003. amended record of decision approved on may 12, 2003.

six consultants hired provide final design 13.5-mile (21.7 km) segment of corridor h kerens parsons. final design has not yet been completed, construction of segment kerens point north of randolph county/tucker county border (but not way parsons) scheduled begin in mid-2016.

phase 3: parsons davis

phase iii nine-mile (14 km) expressway 2 miles (3 km) east of parsons east of davis along west virginia route 93 within tucker county.

on december 4, 2002, supplemental draft environmental impact statement approved after additional environmental investigations completed. additional analysis result of west virginia northern flying squirrel, federally endangered species discovered in vicinity. public hearing held on february 6, 2003 @ blackwater lodge in davis, comments on meeting turned in april 22. thomas-davis city council had until june 19 review situation. supplemental final environmental impact statement expected approved on segment in june 2005, fhwa expected sign amended record of decision in august 2005, however, discovery of west virginia northern flying squirrel delayed project; wvdoh had conduct additional environmental investigations.

the supplemental final environmental impact statement (sfeis) approved in 2007. however, reevaluation of sfeis underway, updated endangered species surveys. issuance of amended record of decision (arod) determined. final design anticipated begin in 2025, , construction scheduled begin in 2031.

phase 4: davis bismarck

this 16.5-mile (26.6 km) segment of corridor h stretches through tucker , grant counties. alignment runs west virginia route 93, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) east of west virginia route 32 near davis bismarck near intersection of west virginia route 42 , west virginia route 93. federal highway administration issued record of decision on march 23, 2001 cleared way design, right-of-way purchases, , construction segment. contract awarded in december 2010 trumbull corporation construction of 6.2 miles of corridor h, existing corridor @ bismarck in grant county wv 93 connector @ mount storm in tucker county; section opened november 2014. contract awarded in august 2012 jf allen construction of remaining 9.9 miles portion of davis bismarck section, east of wv 32 wv 93 connector @ mount storm, , section opened in november 2016.

phase 5: bismarck forman

this completed section totals 14 miles (23 km) within grant county.

the record of decision issued in july 2001. original timeline begin acquiring right-of-way in june 2003, bid contracts in august 2004 , begin construction in september 2004 completion date in september 2006. greenland gap activists, however, began documenting gap s civil war history , natural features , persuaded west virginia department of highways move alignment 1/4 of mile away gap. spared several houses in neighboring village , reduced effect highway have on gap. one-mile (1.6 km) access road between village of greenland , west virginia route 93 eliminated , interchange moved between greenland , west virginia route 93 2 miles (3 km) north of scherr west virginia route 93.

construction began in spring 2007 , completed in november 2013. section county route 3 east forman , moorefield opened in october 2010. further section wv 93 cr 3 opened on october 23, 2012. final section, wv 93 near scherr wv 42 connector @ bismarck, opened november 22, 2013.

phase 6: forman moorefield

view west along 48 between moorefield , forman

the sixth phase in corridor h s completion elkins state line, travels through grant , hardy counties total length of 16 miles (26 km). phase includes 3 miles (5 km) of upgraded highway 220 wv 55 east of moorefield; mainlines corridor h 13.8 miles (22.2 km).

the first section of phase open three-mile (5 km) four-lane highway 220 wv 55 interchange in november 2005. in august 2005, 2 grade , drain contracts awarded on both sides of south branch potomac river, construction beginning september. construction expected complete on both contracts spring of 2007.

in july 2006, 2 grade , drain contracts awarded west of south branch potomac river.

on august 8, 2006, announced 1.75 miles (2.82 km) graded paving @ cost of $23,747,933. segment began construction in september , expected complete in august 2008.

during same month, south branch potomac river bridge contract awarded. $30,884,656 contract, located north of moorefield, contain single eight-span 2,135 ft (651 m) steel girder bridge on south branch of potomac , seven-span crossing on adjacent flood plain. bridge utilize 4,300 tons of steel. construction began in september completion date set august 1, 2009.

the section moorefield knobley rd, west of forman, opened in late october 2010.

phase 7: moorefield baker

looking eastbound on corridor h scenic overlook between moorefield , baker

on may 31, 2000, ground broken on moorefield baker section of corridor h. 1,000 supporters present.

on june 1, 2000, advisory council on historic preservation (achp) informed west virginia division of highways has made determination of effects of alternative alignment of corridor h near moorefield on historic properties. sam beverage, acting secretary department of transportation, stated meadows , p.w. inkeep house both alignment chosen corridor h not impacted.

june 5, 2000 starting date 2 segments in hardy county. 1.62 miles (2.61 km) of partial controlled-access highway in first segment, totaling $20,746,510 included 2,810,416 cubic yards (2,148,717 m³) of excavation, 3 access roads farms, 2 structural plate drainage pipes , six-span prestressed concrete beam bridge on lick run , cr 6.

another segment @ cost of $12,499,009 let construction well. 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of highway extend first segment of phase 7 south of baker interchange. included 1,963,415 cubic yards (1,501,138 m³) of excavation, 1 farm access road, 2 structural plate drainage pipes , 2 out of 4 ramps baker interchange.

on august 30, 2000, 1.09 miles (1.75 km) of four-lane divided highway let construction. stretched cr 23/4 cr 8 , had price tag of $11.4 million.

on september 28, 2000, department of transportation announced construction of four-lane partial controlled-access highway connecting west virginia route 55 clifford hollow bridge involve construction of 2 bridges , 2.21 miles (3.56 km) of roadway. cost segment $29.6 million. second project connect clifford hollow bridge county route 1 , involve 1.96 miles (3.15 km) of construction @ cost of $15.2 million.

a 1.09-mile (1.75 km) segment of roadway let construction on october 18, 2000 @ cost of $9,864,718. segment stretched cr 23/4 cr 8.

the final segment of phase 7 let construction on november 2, 2000 clifford hollow bridge @ cost of $17.8 million. completed in october 2003.

a three-mile (5 km) segment of highway county route 1 county route 23/9 opened traffic in august 2002. on november 17, 2002, five-mile (8 km) section of roadway opened county route 23/9 baker interchange. completion of clifford hollow bridge in october 2003, 14-mile (23 km) segment of corridor h through hardy county between moorefield , baker opened traffic.

phase 8: baker wardensville

in december 2000, federal highway administration issued record of decision on 6.7-mile (10.8 km) segment of corridor h.

a construction contract awarded on october 1, 2001 construct segment of phase 8 hanging rock county route 23/8 in hardy county. segment located east of lost river bridge near mccauley , cost $12,891,522.

another contract awarded on december 5, 2001 @ total of $18,549,091 construct 2.68 miles (4.31 km) of corridor h county route 23/8 west approach of lost river bridge. grading , drainage required 3.3 million cubic yards (2,500,000 m³) of earthwork, including on 1 million cubic yards (800,000 m³) of borrow material , several 60-inch (1,500 mm) pipes carry small streams underneath roadway. three-span fabricated steel girder bridge constructed carry four-lane divided highway on sauerkraut run.

december 21, 2001 important day, 1.45-mile (2.33 km) section awarded @ cost of $25,019,472. stretched baker interchange , extended west side of bridge crossing lost river in hardy county. remaining 2 incomplete ramps @ baker interchange completed.

on march 4, 2002, department of highways awarded contract construct 1.08-mile (1.74 km) segment of corridor h @ cost of $15,858,045 extended lost river sinks county route 23/12. included landscaping historic hott house part of construction mitigation program , involved construction of connection existing west virginia route 55. segment required 4.3 million cubic yards (3,200,000 m³) of earthwork, drainage, paving, signing , pavement markings. completed in fall of 2003.

the completion of lost river bridge @ mccauley signaled end of construction on phase 8. segment opened traffic in mid-october 2006.

phase 9: wardensville virginia state line

this 5.5-mile (8.9 km) phase of corridor h (us 48) stretches wardensville west virginia route 55 @ virginia state line.

as part of agreement, federal highway administration , west virginia department of transportation defer construction, along final design , right-of-way acquisition on 5.5-mile (8.9 km) section of roadway between wardensville , virginia state line long 20 years. delay shortened if virginia approves 14-mile (23 km) section of corridor h (us 48) between west virginia state line , interstate 81, if traffic increases on west virginia route 55 between wardensville , state line, or if required ensue eligibility appalachian highway corridor funding.

the amended record of decision approved on may 16, 2003.

lawsuits , settlements

corridor h alternatives (cha) filed lawsuit, first project since realignment, in u.s. district court in november 1996 challenging record of decision entire 100-mile (160 km) corridor h project. lawsuit stated federal highway administration (fhwa) violated national environmental protection act (nepa) failing consider improved roadway alternative (ira) , failing prepare supplemental eis consider impacts of corrick s ford battlefield alignment shift. lawsuit further states fhwa violated laws issuing record of decision prior completing evaluation of corridor h s impacts on historic structures , lands.

in 1997, briefs filed , oral arguments took place. in october, u.s. district court ruled in favor of federal highway administration , west virginia department of transportation on counts, however, cha appealed ruling u.s. court of appeals.

briefs once again filed in 1998 , oral arguments presented throughout year. in september, cha filed second lawsuit challenged fhwa s findings of no constructive use 2 properties. in november of year, court system ordered department of transportation halt construction of corridor h except 3.5-mile (5.6 km) section near elkins.

in 1999, u.s. court of appeals ruled in favor of fhwa , west virginia department of transportation on first lawsuit. on second lawsuit, court ruled in favor of cha, stating studies of historic properties must completed before construction proceeds. in march, court dismissed second lawsuit without prejudice, , allowed cha file new lawsuit challenging decisions of fhwa , west virginia department of transportation when section 106/section 4(f) complete entire corridor h project. in may, court order produced prohibited fhwa proceeding further corridor h until have completed section 106 process , issued amended record of decision. there 2 exceptions however: work allowed proceed on northern elkins bypass , design work allowed proceed. 5.5-mile (8.9 km) segment of corridor h between elkins , kerens, or phase i.

in december 1999, agreement reached. corridor h project divided 9 separate projects elkins, west virginia virginia state line. stated in agreement, impacts avoided near corricks ford/shavers fork valley , blackwater canyon; completion of ongoing studies; , deferment of wardensville, west virginia virginia state line segment final design , right-of-way acquisition restricted until specific conditions met not exceed 20 years. delay shortened if virginia approves 14-mile (23 km) section of corridor h (us 48) between west virginia state line , interstate 81, if traffic increases on wv 55 between wardensville , state line, or if required ensue eligibility appalachian highway corridor funding.

the agreement established alternative dispute resolution procedures , plaintiffs waive right bring future lawsuits against fhwa , west virginia department of transportation seek further study of alternative not include completing corridor h continuous four-lane highway.

one of leading firms on corridor h project, michael baker corporation proposed , designed 2 20-acre (81,000 m) wetland mitigation sites. in addition, baker, in conjunction west virginia department of highways , federal highway administration, developed comprehensive mitigation plan vegetative, water quality, acid drainage , wildlife issues entire 100+-mile long project.

michael baker corporation s scientists completed extensive surveys endangered plant , animal species. identified buffalo clover, indiana bat, virginia big-eared bat, cheat mountain salamander , west virginia northern flying squirrel. based on this, baker assisted department of highways , fhwa in conjunction u.s. fish , wildlife service prepare biological assessment indiana bat, resulted in finding corridor h not adversely affect habitat. formal consultation ongoing west virginia northern flying squirrel.