Question Corridor H at public hearing on Earth Day, April 22

WARDENSVILLE, W.Va.—The West Virginia Division of Highways and Federal Highway Administration will hold a public information session and hearing on the proposed Wardensville-to-Virginia line section of Corridor H on Tuesday April 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at East Hardy High School in Baker, West Virginia.

The 7-mile segment from Wardensville to the Virginia state line would divert visitors from the town of Wardensville’s Main Street historic district, slice through its wellhead-protection area and carve a path across the George Washington National Forest.

Opponents have long questioned the need for the project, citing low traffic on completed sections, and Virginia’s lack of plans to extend the four-lane highway east of the state line along Route 55 to interstates I-66 and I-81. WVDOH estimates the Wardensville-to-Virginia and the still-pending Parsons-to-Davis section in Tucker County would cost about $1.5 billion to construct through steep, environmentally sensitive terrain.

Because the hearing falls on Earth Day, conservation and community groups are urging people of all ages to attend, learn more about the details, and speak up for protecting the region’s forests, streams and small-town character.

“Earth Day is a reminder of what makes the Potomac Highlands so special—clear streams, intact forests, vibrant small towns, and endless opportunities to explore the outdoors,” said Olivia Miller, program director of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. “A massive highway like this just doesn’t fit with what makes this region unique. Before we spend billions of public dollars to a massive highway that would fragment our national forest lands—and that Virginia hasn’t agreed to finish—we need to ask whether it will truly benefit our communities or threatens the very things that make people want to live, play, and work here. It’s time to seriously consider more affordable, less destructive alternatives that better serve the people who call this region home.”

Whether or not citizens are able to attend the April 22 hearing, they can submit public comments by addressing Ms. Sarah Runyon, Deputy Chief Engineer, WVDOH, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. Bldg. 5 Room 820, Charleston, WV 25305, or by going to the Corridor H page of WVDOH’s website.

For additional information, visit WVDOH’s Corridor H page: https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/major-projects/Corridor-H/Pages/default.aspx

Learn more about community concerns at savewardensville.org