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There is already basic highway infrastructure in the northern part of the state. State and Federal taxes that we all pay are used to build highways. Coal synergy projects are being used to build what sections have been built in some parts saving the State and Federal government millions of dollars. SWV is the only part of WV that has a to pay a toll to use a major interstate. Either give people who live in the state a free pass or remove the tolls after 2019.
U.S. 35 is an important route from Charleston to Columbus that should be built asap with no tolls whatsoever and should be Priority #1 highway to finish for the state. Then either Corridor H or King Coal should be completed from there, with 75% of Corridor H being worked on or completed already and King Coal with its Coal synergy partnership. People are tired of looking at bridges to nowhere and major interchanges not being used that have been built for 3-15 years now. The Coalfields Expressway is goin to be finished in Virginia before they'll ever get it to Pineville, but it goes to show that Virginia can have coal synergy projects and commit to looking out for what its most depressed area needs.
WV will never catch up to the rest of the US and always be ranked 48,49, or 50 in every statistic if the people dont have basic infrastructure to open the state up to investment. Transportation is the most important part this state needs, along with education and training
I actually agree with your last paragraph as long as the political fulcrum is located in the southern part of the state. Waste and pork will ruin things for everyone as long as that situation exists.
Now, for the rest of your post... I disagree with nearly every part of it. Not only is there little demonstrated demand for those pie in the sky projects, the coal that you are mentioning is less and less coming from that area so the demand is likely to actually diminish. Your part of the state is not depressed due to lack of infrastructure. There is little use for the current infrastructure. It is depressed due to a myriad of other factors that have been discussed ad infinitum. It would take a whole lot more than unnecessary highways to change those factors.
In the usual pork manner, politicos from that area are throwing more than a $200 million commitment into this project while ignoring more pressing needs elsewhere. Can there be any doubt why our state consistently battles with Mississippi for last place, and often wins the battle.
I saw that news story today. It is good news because the transportation link between Columbus and this area of the State is important.
Important for what? There is not one shred of evidence that Columbus will buy one new thing from that area of the state if you can take another 10 minutes off of the time it takes to get there. The developing parts of the state actually have demonstrated needs that need to be addressed, and most of that development is destined to take place in the Ohio Valley, North Central West Virginia, and the Eastern Panhandle. That is where new infrastructure is warranted at this time.
Also why haven't the elected leaders in the areas you mentioned explored the P3 funding approach that is being discussed in the Rt. 35 article. It could open up the possibility of getting some new and/or expanded roads built sooner. Then again, if that happened then you and the other residents of those areas would have to find something else to complain about instead of using that energy to help spur changes.
It's an important trucking route that is operating just fine the way it is now. With funds in short supply, the need is to focus on return on investment and shoving more money into that road will have limited effect on industry. Investing it in Route 2, however, would pay enormous dividends. Then again, just how would your area manage to get by without the periodic infusions of pork money?
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