U.S. Route 52 in West Virginia
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 52
skirts the western fringes of the U.S. state
of West Virginia
. It runs from the Virginia
state line near Bluefield
, where it is concurrent with Interstate 77, in a general northwest and north direction to Interstate 64 at Kenova
. There it turns east, overlapping Interstate 64 for five miles (8 km) before splitting off onto the West Huntington Expressway into Ohio
via the West Huntington Bridge
. Despite having an even number, US 52 is signed north–south in West Virginia.
Most of the route is being upgraded to a high-speed four-lane divided highway
, however, not to interstate standards. It has been designated as part of the Interstate 73
and Interstate 74
corridors. From Interstate 77 south of Bluefield to near Williamson
, the new highway has been referenced to as the King Coal Highway; from Williamson north to Kenova, it is the Tolsia Highway.
to Jefferson Avenue in West Huntington
in the fall of 1965. This included a bridge over a CSX railroad mainline. In the early 1970s, the expressway was extended northward across what is now the Nick Joe Rahall II Bridge across the Ohio River
to U.S. Highway 52/State Route 7 in Ohio
.
Tolls were collected at the Ohio River
bridge until the mid 1980s. The expressway has four lanes from Interstate 64
to the U.S. Highway 60 interchange, where it drops to two lanes for the remainder of the highway, which includes the Ohio River
bridge. The expressway was renumbered U.S. Route 52 in 1979 when that federal highway was re-routed out of downtown Huntington to a new alignment on I-64 west to the Tolsia Highway south of Kenova.
at Kenova
to Corridor G (US 119) north of Williamson
. Portions of the 66 miles (106.2 km) highway have been completed.
In 1998, US 52 south of the Interstate 64
interchange in Kenova was upgraded to four-lane highway standards to the Tri-State Airport Access Road. In 2001, the four-lane highway was extended southward approximately two miles to a stub interchange with West Virginia Route 75, removing a steep downgrade with a large sweeping curve.
Also in 1998, the Prichard, West Virginia bypass was opened to traffic with one interchange and one at-grade intersection. This four-mile (6 km) bypass includes very large rock cuts and a long and winding grade down a hill. In 2001, the four-lane highway was extended northward for one mile (1.6 km), removing some grades and curves along US 52. The extension was completed in 2002 at a cost of $9,613,889.26. New signage was installed in late 2002 to replace orange construction signs that date to the construction of the bypass.
Before the eastern bypass was built, US 52 inside Prichard involved two alignments. U.S. 52 originally took the path of West Virginia Route 152, approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the current alignment. In the mid 1960s, state funding was secured to upgrade most of county route 1, which ran along the Big Sandy River
and Tug Fork River
. The upgraded county route 1 was renumbered as US 52 in 1979. A western bypass of Prichard was constructed in the mid 1970s and partially abandoned in 1999, when the new four-lane alignment east of the community was constructed.
In 2001, the Crum
segment of the Tolsia Highway opened to traffic. The highway begins just north of Crum, touching down at an incomplete diamond interchange with US 52 and heads eastward towards county route 2. It has at-grade intersections with county route 52-47 and county route 52-31 along with a side road at the eastern terminus that takes traffic to county route 2. There are stubs for future bridges and ramps. Signage along this segment is minimal, with only a handful of arrows to designate the route. While the highway was built to four-lane standards, it is only striped for two.
In late 2002, Senator Robert C. Byrd received $20 million in funds to jump-start construction on the northern half of the King Coal Highway. The money would be used to speed up construction on the 10 miles (16.1 km) link between Huntington
and Prichard, serving several industrial parks and relieving two-lane US 52 of coal-truck congestion.
In 2003, survey and design of five miles (8 km) of four-lane US 52 upgrades from Prichard north to Cyrus were completed. This includes an interchange and five bridge structures. Estimated cost of construction is $90 million.
Total design work for 2003-2004 on the Tolsia Highway totals over 18 miles (29 km).
bypass, preventing the blasting of several hillsides in West Virginia
. It was completed in 1996 as part of the Corridor G (U.S. Route 119
) project. The speed limit in West Virginia is 65 mi/h but abruptly drops to 55 mi/h in Kentucky.
The Tolsia Highway is expected to meet the King Coal Highway at West Virginia Route 65 and Corridor G (US 119).
to the King Coal at Delbarton
. Right-of-way acquision will commence in 2007, with construction beginning in 2008. It is also referred to as the Williamson Connector.
at its US 52 interchange near Bluefield
. Interstate 66
, Coalfields Expressway (US 121) and the Shawnee Expressway
will connect to the King Coal Highway.
The travel time, currently over 120 minutes from Williamson to Bluefield, will be reduced to 87 minutes. South of Ikes Fork, a two hour trip to Bluefield will be reduced to 44 minutes.
Interchanges and intersections proposed for the King Coal Highway include:
Construction began in 1999 on the three-level diamond interchange on Indian Ridge near Welch
that will facilitate traffic between the King Coal Highway (US 52, Interstate 73
/74
) and the Coalfields Expressway (US 121). Initial site work was completed in 2003, with grading evident; this required the filling in of a large valley. It will also be the site of a new state prison along with future industrial development.
Work has progressed on the four-lane upgrading of US 52 in Mercer County just east of Bluefield. On November 24, a contract totalling $2,057,914 was let to move approximately 500000 cubic yards (382,277.4 m³) of dirt and to grade and drain .22 miles from the recently completed $27 million interchange with Corridor Q
(US 460) east of Bluefield to US 19 just north of James P. Bailey Lake. Six buildings will be demolished. This is the first of several projects that will extend the King Coal Highway to West Virginia Route 123 (Airport Road) north of Bluefield. Extending this project east, another contract was awarded December 15 and totals $1,371,251. The contract calls for more than 200000 cubic yards (152,911 m³) of excavation to grade and drain .18 mile of the King Coal Highway from county route 25 just north of the US 460 interchange to south of the old Raleigh-Grayson Turnpike. 36 buildings will be demolished. A future contract will include a bridge over US 19 which will cost $15 million.
Work is set to begin on a 1.37 miles (2.2 km) stretch of roadway in Raleigh county at a cost of $12.2 million. This includes paving, guardrail installation, pavement marking, and signing operations for this segment.
Design work is being commenced on a 11 miles (17.7 km) segment of the King Coal Highway from Horsepen Mountain to Isaban
and from the Mercer County Interchange to West Virginia Route 123/Airport Road. The work being done on a 2.5 miles (4 km) section of highway near Horsepen Mountain is being done by mining companies that will save taxpayers over $20 million.
The total cost for both the Tolsia and King Coal Highways will be over $2 billion.
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
skirts the western fringes of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. It runs from the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
state line near Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
, where it is concurrent with Interstate 77, in a general northwest and north direction to Interstate 64 at Kenova
Kenova, West Virginia
Kenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The name of the town comes from its unique position where the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia meet. Founded in 1859 but not incorporated until 1894, the town's early history and...
. There it turns east, overlapping Interstate 64 for five miles (8 km) before splitting off onto the West Huntington Expressway into Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
via the West Huntington Bridge
West Huntington Bridge
The West Huntington Bridge is a two-lane, cantilever bridge on the west side of Huntington, West Virginia. It crosses the Ohio River and carries U.S...
. Despite having an even number, US 52 is signed north–south in West Virginia.
Most of the route is being upgraded to a high-speed four-lane divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
, however, not to interstate standards. It has been designated as part of the Interstate 73
Interstate 73
Interstate 73 is a main route of the Interstate Highway System, currently located entirely within the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of a longer planned corridor, defined by various Federal laws to run from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Grayling, Michigan, but only the part south of...
and Interstate 74
Interstate 74
Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western end is at an intersection with Interstate 80 in Davenport, Iowa; the eastern end of its Midwest segment is at an intersection with Interstate 75 in Cincinnati, Ohio...
corridors. From Interstate 77 south of Bluefield to near Williamson
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
, the new highway has been referenced to as the King Coal Highway; from Williamson north to Kenova, it is the Tolsia Highway.
West Huntington Expressway
The West Huntington Expressway is a controlled access elevated highway that crosses the west end of Huntington WV. It was constructed in 1965 and originally signed as West Virginia Route 94. The first segment to open was a stub from Interstate 64Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
to Jefferson Avenue in West Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
in the fall of 1965. This included a bridge over a CSX railroad mainline. In the early 1970s, the expressway was extended northward across what is now the Nick Joe Rahall II Bridge across the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
to U.S. Highway 52/State Route 7 in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Tolls were collected at the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
bridge until the mid 1980s. The expressway has four lanes from Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
to the U.S. Highway 60 interchange, where it drops to two lanes for the remainder of the highway, which includes the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
bridge. The expressway was renumbered U.S. Route 52 in 1979 when that federal highway was re-routed out of downtown Huntington to a new alignment on I-64 west to the Tolsia Highway south of Kenova.
Tolsia Highway
The Tolsia Highway is defined as running from Interstate 64Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
at Kenova
Kenova, West Virginia
Kenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The name of the town comes from its unique position where the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia meet. Founded in 1859 but not incorporated until 1894, the town's early history and...
to Corridor G (US 119) north of Williamson
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
. Portions of the 66 miles (106.2 km) highway have been completed.
In 1998, US 52 south of the Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
interchange in Kenova was upgraded to four-lane highway standards to the Tri-State Airport Access Road. In 2001, the four-lane highway was extended southward approximately two miles to a stub interchange with West Virginia Route 75, removing a steep downgrade with a large sweeping curve.
Also in 1998, the Prichard, West Virginia bypass was opened to traffic with one interchange and one at-grade intersection. This four-mile (6 km) bypass includes very large rock cuts and a long and winding grade down a hill. In 2001, the four-lane highway was extended northward for one mile (1.6 km), removing some grades and curves along US 52. The extension was completed in 2002 at a cost of $9,613,889.26. New signage was installed in late 2002 to replace orange construction signs that date to the construction of the bypass.
Before the eastern bypass was built, US 52 inside Prichard involved two alignments. U.S. 52 originally took the path of West Virginia Route 152, approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the current alignment. In the mid 1960s, state funding was secured to upgrade most of county route 1, which ran along the Big Sandy River
Big Sandy River (Ohio River)
The Big Sandy River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately long, in western West Virginia and northeastern Kentucky in the United States. The river forms part of the boundary between the two states along its entire course...
and Tug Fork River
Tug Fork River
The Tug Fork is a tributary of the Big Sandy River, long, in southwestern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Kentucky in the United States. Via the Big Sandy and Ohio rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River....
. The upgraded county route 1 was renumbered as US 52 in 1979. A western bypass of Prichard was constructed in the mid 1970s and partially abandoned in 1999, when the new four-lane alignment east of the community was constructed.
In 2001, the Crum
Crum, West Virginia
Crum is an unincorporated census-designated place in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 182. It is the home to Crum Elementary School and Crum Middle School. It is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
segment of the Tolsia Highway opened to traffic. The highway begins just north of Crum, touching down at an incomplete diamond interchange with US 52 and heads eastward towards county route 2. It has at-grade intersections with county route 52-47 and county route 52-31 along with a side road at the eastern terminus that takes traffic to county route 2. There are stubs for future bridges and ramps. Signage along this segment is minimal, with only a handful of arrows to designate the route. While the highway was built to four-lane standards, it is only striped for two.
In late 2002, Senator Robert C. Byrd received $20 million in funds to jump-start construction on the northern half of the King Coal Highway. The money would be used to speed up construction on the 10 miles (16.1 km) link between Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
and Prichard, serving several industrial parks and relieving two-lane US 52 of coal-truck congestion.
In 2003, survey and design of five miles (8 km) of four-lane US 52 upgrades from Prichard north to Cyrus were completed. This includes an interchange and five bridge structures. Estimated cost of construction is $90 million.
Total design work for 2003-2004 on the Tolsia Highway totals over 18 miles (29 km).
Future projects
The unfunded six-year transportation plans, released by the West Virginia Department of Transportation in 2005, has listed the Tolsia Highway as under several contracts. The six-year priority plans also list several Tolsia Highway projects with funding estimates and details.- Upgrade US 52 to four-lanes from the WV 75 incomplete-diamond interchange south of KenovaKenova, West VirginiaKenova is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, at the confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers. The name of the town comes from its unique position where the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia meet. Founded in 1859 but not incorporated until 1894, the town's early history and...
to Sharps Branch Road in Cyrus. This 5.78 miles (9.3 km) upgrade would cost $57 million. It is listed as 36th in priority. - Upgrade the Tolsia Highway to four-lanes from Sharps Branch Road in Cyrus to Prichard. This 5.51 miles (8.9 km) upgrade would cost $83.8 million and is 39th in priority.
- Widen the Hubbardstown to Tabors Creek Road segment of US 52, with preliminary engineering and right-of-way beginning in 2008, with construction starting in 2009. The 3.62 miles (5.8 km) four-lane highway would cost $43.75 million and is ranked 58th in priority.
- Upgrade the Tolsia Highway from Tabors Creek Road to Fort GayFort Gay, West VirginiaFort Gay is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, along the Tug Fork and Big Sandy Rivers. The town adjoins Louisa, Kentucky. The population was 819 at the 2000 census. The estimate as of 2009 was 801....
on a new 4.05 miles (6.5 km) alignment at a cost of $36 million. It is ranked 52nd. - The Fort Gay to Saltpetre Road at Saltpetre segment of US 52, with preliminary engineering beginning in 2008, is slated for construction to begin in 2010. This 3.3 miles (5.3 km) four-lane upgrade would cost $22.7 million. It is ranked 51st.
- Upgrade the Saltpetre Road at Saltpetre to GlenhayesGlenhayes, West VirginiaGlenhayes is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. Glenhayes is located on the Tug Fork and U.S. Route 52 southeast of Fort Gay. Glenhayes had a post office, which closed on November 9, 2002....
along a new 5.16 miles (8.3 km) alignment at a cost of $37.1 million. It is ranked 60th. - Complete the Tolsia Highway from Glenhayes to Drag Creek two miles (3 km) north of WV 152 along a new 5 miles (8 km) alignment. This is estimated to cost $62.4 million and is ranked 64th.
- Upgrade the Drag Creek to CrumCrum, West VirginiaCrum is an unincorporated census-designated place in southern Wayne County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 182. It is the home to Crum Elementary School and Crum Middle School. It is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
at Jennie Creek Road alignment along US 52. The 5.73 miles (9.2 km) segment would cost $57.4 million and is ranked 65th. - Upgrade the Crum segment at Jennie Creek Road to Stepptown along a new 5.04 miles (8.1 km) alignment at a cost of $51.3 million. It is ranked 56th in priority.
- Construct the KermitKermit, West VirginiaKermit is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census. Kermit is located along the Tug Fork, opposite Warfield, Kentucky...
bypass from Stepptown to Lower Burning Creek along a new 2.76 miles (4.4 km) alignment. The estimated cost is $58.3 million, with construction phases ranging from 2006 to 2007. It is ranked 68th. - Construct the Kermit to Parsley Branch segment, with preliminary engineering set to begin in 2010 with right-of-way acquision beginning in 2011. It is a 2.5 miles (4 km) upgrade with an estimated cost of $65 million. It is ranked 77th.
- Upgrade the Tolsia Highway from Parsley Branch to NaugatuckNaugatuck, West VirginiaNaugatuck is an unincorporated community in Mingo County, West Virginia, United States. Naugatuck is located on the Tug Fork and U.S. Route 52 southeast of Kermit. Naugatuck has a post office with ZIP code 25685. The community was established in 1892....
along a new 2.46 miles (4 km) alignment at a cost of $65 million. It is ranked 74th. This would involve a WV 65 interchange. - Upgrade US 52 from Naugatuck to Miller Creek along a new 3.74 miles (6 km) four-lane alignment at an estimated cost of $53.9 million. It is ranked 83rd. This completes the Tolsia Highway to Corridor G.
Williamson Bypass
U.S. 52 enters Kentucky twice along the Williamson, West VirginiaWilliamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
bypass, preventing the blasting of several hillsides in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. It was completed in 1996 as part of the Corridor G (U.S. Route 119
U.S. Route 119
U.S. Route 119, commonly abbreviated as US 119, is a spur of US 19. It is a north–south route that was an original United States highway of 1926. It is often referred to as Corridor G east of US 23 and KY 80 in Kentucky to Interstate 64 at Charleston, West Virginia.- Kentucky :US 119 is a two...
) project. The speed limit in West Virginia is 65 mi/h but abruptly drops to 55 mi/h in Kentucky.
The Tolsia Highway is expected to meet the King Coal Highway at West Virginia Route 65 and Corridor G (US 119).
Delbarton Connector
The Delbarton Connector is part of the King Coal Highway, and will act as a four-lane expressway connecting US 119/US 52/Corridor G north of WilliamsonWilliamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
to the King Coal at Delbarton
Delbarton, West Virginia
Delbarton is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 474 at the 2000 census. Delbarton was incorporated September 6, 1946 by the Mingo County Circuit Court. The name Delbarton comes from the New Jersey country estate of one of the officials of the United Thacker Land Company...
. Right-of-way acquision will commence in 2007, with construction beginning in 2008. It is also referred to as the Williamson Connector.
King Coal Highway
The King Coal Highway is defined to run from West Virginia Route 65 and Corridor G (US 119) near Belo, West Virginia to Interstate 77Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
at its US 52 interchange near Bluefield
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 10,447 at the 2010 census. It is also the core city of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,342.-Geography & Climate:...
. Interstate 66
Interstate 66 (west)
The U.S. Department of Transportation had plans to extend Interstate 66 westward across the country to California. However, Interstate 66 west of Wichita, Kansas, has been postponed, with the Nevada and California sections cancelled...
, Coalfields Expressway (US 121) and the Shawnee Expressway
Shawnee Expressway (West Virginia)
The Shawnee Expressway is a proposed two-lane arterial highway. The highway, should it be constructed, will run through McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, and Raleigh counties in southwest West Virginia...
will connect to the King Coal Highway.
The travel time, currently over 120 minutes from Williamson to Bluefield, will be reduced to 87 minutes. South of Ikes Fork, a two hour trip to Bluefield will be reduced to 44 minutes.
Interchanges and intersections proposed for the King Coal Highway include:
- Mingo CountyMingo County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile . There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
:- Near Head of Isaban
- Near Taylorville, West Virginia
- Near Twisted Gun Gap, West Virginia
- Near DelbartonDelbarton, West VirginiaDelbarton is a town in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 474 at the 2000 census. Delbarton was incorporated September 6, 1946 by the Mingo County Circuit Court. The name Delbarton comes from the New Jersey country estate of one of the officials of the United Thacker Land Company...
- Near Sharon Heights
- Logan CountyLogan County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 37,710 people, 14,880 households, and 10,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile . There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
:- Horsepen MountainHorsepen MountainHorsepen Mountain is a mountain of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians on the border of Logan and Mingo Counties, West Virginia, United States. It is the highest point in Mingo County. The Mingo Lookout Tower is located on the mountain....
at Mountain View
- Horsepen Mountain
- McDowell CountyMcDowell County, West VirginiaMcDowell County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The land that became McDowell was originally part of Tazewell County, Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,113. Its county seat is Welch. McDowell county is the southern-most county in the state, geographically...
:- Johnny Cake Mountain
- Sandy Huff
- DavyDavy, West VirginiaDavy is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 373 at the 2000 census. Davy was incorporated in 1948. It is a mostly residential community in a coal mining district along the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railway.-Geography:...
- WelchWelch, West VirginiaWelch is a city located in McDowell County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 2,406 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1893, it is the county seat of McDowell County.-History:...
at Indian Ridge - Carswell Hollow near KimballKimball, West VirginiaKimball is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 411 at the 2000 census.Kimball was incorporated in 1911 and named for Frederick J. Kimball, who was a president of the Norfolk and Western Railway...
- Burke Mountain near KeystoneKeystone, West VirginiaKeystone is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 453 at the 2000 census. Keystone is one of several incorporated towns in West Virginia with an African-American majority, with 72 percent of the residents being black....
- Near CrumplerCrumpler, West VirginiaCrumpler is an unincorporated census-designated place located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 census, its population was 204....
- Near the head of Long Pole
- Near the head of IsabanIsaban, West VirginiaIsaban is an unincorporated community located on Fourpole Creek in McDowell and Mingo counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia....
- Wyoming CountyWyoming County, West VirginiaWyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,796. Its county seat is Pineville. Wyoming County was created in 1850 from Logan County and named for the Delaware Indian word meaning "large plains."-Geography:According to the U.S...
:- Indian Ridge near Steeles
- Near Fanrock and Bailysville at Davy Mountain on Indian Ridge
- Near Head of North Springs
- Head of Burke Mountain near HerndonHerndon, West VirginiaHerndon is an unincorporated community in Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States....
- Mercer CountyMercer County, West Virginia-External links:* * * * * * *...
:- Near CrystalCrystal, West VirginiaCrystal is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Crystal is located on Crane Creek and County Route 11 north-northwest of Bluefield....
- Near McComasMcComas, West VirginiaMcComas is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. McComas is southwest of Matoaka....
- Near SandlickSandlick, West VirginiaSandlick is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Sandlick is located on Sandlick Creek at the junction of County Routes 71/5 and 71/13, north of Bluefield....
- West Virginia Route 20 near Littlesburgh Road]]
- Near RockRock, West VirginiaRock is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Rock is located along West Virginia Route 71 northeast of Montcalm. Rock has a post office with ZIP code 24747....
- Near GodfreyGodfrey, West VirginiaGodfrey is an unincorporated community in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. Godfrey is northwest of Montcalm....
- West Virginia Route 123 - Airport Road
- John Nash Boulevard
- Near Crystal
Construction began in 1999 on the three-level diamond interchange on Indian Ridge near Welch
Welch, West Virginia
Welch is a city located in McDowell County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 2,406 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1893, it is the county seat of McDowell County.-History:...
that will facilitate traffic between the King Coal Highway (US 52, Interstate 73
Interstate 73
Interstate 73 is a main route of the Interstate Highway System, currently located entirely within the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of a longer planned corridor, defined by various Federal laws to run from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Grayling, Michigan, but only the part south of...
/74
Interstate 74
Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western end is at an intersection with Interstate 80 in Davenport, Iowa; the eastern end of its Midwest segment is at an intersection with Interstate 75 in Cincinnati, Ohio...
) and the Coalfields Expressway (US 121). Initial site work was completed in 2003, with grading evident; this required the filling in of a large valley. It will also be the site of a new state prison along with future industrial development.
Work has progressed on the four-lane upgrading of US 52 in Mercer County just east of Bluefield. On November 24, a contract totalling $2,057,914 was let to move approximately 500000 cubic yards (382,277.4 m³) of dirt and to grade and drain .22 miles from the recently completed $27 million interchange with Corridor Q
Corridor Q
Corridor Q is a highway in the U.S. states of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is part of the Appalachian Development Highway System and U.S. Route 460...
(US 460) east of Bluefield to US 19 just north of James P. Bailey Lake. Six buildings will be demolished. This is the first of several projects that will extend the King Coal Highway to West Virginia Route 123 (Airport Road) north of Bluefield. Extending this project east, another contract was awarded December 15 and totals $1,371,251. The contract calls for more than 200000 cubic yards (152,911 m³) of excavation to grade and drain .18 mile of the King Coal Highway from county route 25 just north of the US 460 interchange to south of the old Raleigh-Grayson Turnpike. 36 buildings will be demolished. A future contract will include a bridge over US 19 which will cost $15 million.
Work is set to begin on a 1.37 miles (2.2 km) stretch of roadway in Raleigh county at a cost of $12.2 million. This includes paving, guardrail installation, pavement marking, and signing operations for this segment.
Design work is being commenced on a 11 miles (17.7 km) segment of the King Coal Highway from Horsepen Mountain to Isaban
Isaban, West Virginia
Isaban is an unincorporated community located on Fourpole Creek in McDowell and Mingo counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia....
and from the Mercer County Interchange to West Virginia Route 123/Airport Road. The work being done on a 2.5 miles (4 km) section of highway near Horsepen Mountain is being done by mining companies that will save taxpayers over $20 million.
The total cost for both the Tolsia and King Coal Highways will be over $2 billion.