U.S. Route 11 in West Virginia
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state of West Virginia
, U.S. Route 11 (US 11) spans 26.2 miles (42.2 km) across the Eastern Panhandle
region. US 11 enters the state near Ridgeway
, and crosses into Maryland
just south of Williamsport
. The highway closely parallels Interstate 81
(I-81) for its entire length.
. The highway travels northwest through a light residential setting in the community of Ridgeway. After leaving Ridgeway, the US 11, named Winchester Avenue, passes through light woodlands before they give way to the community of Bunker Hill
. The highway, now named the Winchester Pike serves as the main north–south highway through the town. Several small business and residences line the highway as it leaves Bunker Hill. As the highway continues north, it passes between several sports stadiums before entering urbanized Inwood
. In Inwood, US 11 becomes concurrent
with West Virginia Route 51 (WV 51) for about 0.2 mile (0.321868 km). As with the community of Ridgeway and Bunker Hill, US 11 serves as the main north–south road through the town.
The intersection of County Route 32 and the Winchester Pike forms the southwestern corner of the Eastern WV Regional Airport
, which the pike passes to the west of as it approaches the community of Pikeside
and an intersection with County Route 19. The name of the road changes back to Winchester Avenue as it heads north into the city of Martinsburg, intersecting WV 45 before the highway turns east onto West King Street. US 11 heads east for several blocks along King Street before turning north along Queen Street, concurrent with WV 9 and WV 45. The three highways pass just west of the Martinsburg train station
, which services both Amtrak
and MARC
, before passing under the railroad track, belonging to the Winchester and Western Railroad
. An intersection with East Moler Avenue carries WV 45 east, while another interchange in the northern outskirts of the city carries WV 9 north towards a cloverleaf interchange
with I-81 as US 11 turns northeast.
US 11 continues north through the communities of Bessemer
and Hainesville
, where the highway meets County Route 5, before approaching an intersection with WV 901, which serves as a short connector route to I-81. After passing through the community of Falling Waters
on the western banks of the Potomac River
, the highway turns more towards the north and has its only grade-separated interchange
, a diamond interchange
with I-81. After crossing over the freeway, a left intersection with County Route 1 provides access to Little Georgetown
to the west as the pike passes through the community of Marlowe
. US 11 in West Virginia ends at the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, however the roadway continues north as US 11 in Maryland. In contrast to I-81, no part of US 11 is listed on the National Highway System
, a system of roads that are important to the nation's economy, defense and mobility.
US 11 is one of the original six highways that were part of the U.S. Numbered Highway System
in the state, the others being US 19
, US 21, US 40
, US 50
, and US 60.
The oldest bridge still in use on the highway is the bridge over Middle Creek
, about 0.02 miles (32.2 m) north of the interchange with County Route 11/8 in Martinsburg. The overpass carrying the railroad tracks in Martinsburg was originally constructed in 1976.
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...
, U.S. Route 11 (US 11) spans 26.2 miles (42.2 km) across the Eastern Panhandle
Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia is a narrow stretch of territory in the northeast of the state, bordering Maryland and Virginia, United States. The Eastern Panhandle Board of Realtors and other local civic organizations consider only the three Easternmost counties, Jefferson, Berkeley and...
region. US 11 enters the state near Ridgeway
Ridgeway, West Virginia
Ridgeway is an unincorporated town in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It lies off U.S. Highway 11 on Specks Run Road near the Virginia state line....
, and crosses into Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
just south of Williamsport
Williamsport, Maryland
Williamsport is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,868 at the 2000 census and 2,278 as of July 2008.-Geography: Williamsport is located at ....
. The highway closely parallels Interstate 81
Interstate 81 in West Virginia
In the U.S. state of West Virginia, Interstate 81 crosses the Eastern Panhandle region, linking Virginia to Maryland. The Interstate Highway, completed in 1966, spans through Berkeley County, paralleling U.S. Route 11 for its entire length...
(I-81) for its entire length.
Route description
US 11 begins as an extension of US 11 in Virginia, crossing the state line just north of RestRest, Virginia
Rest is an unincorporated community in northern Frederick County, Virginia, United States. Rest is located along U.S. Route 11 south of the West Virginia state line with Berkeley County. The community of Ridgeway lies to its north....
. The highway travels northwest through a light residential setting in the community of Ridgeway. After leaving Ridgeway, the US 11, named Winchester Avenue, passes through light woodlands before they give way to the community of Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill, West Virginia
Bunker Hill is an unincorporated town in Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States located on Winchester Pike at its junction with West Virginia Secondary Route 26 south of Martinsburg. It is the site of the confluence of Torytown Run and Mill Creek, a tributary of Opequon Creek...
. The highway, now named the Winchester Pike serves as the main north–south highway through the town. Several small business and residences line the highway as it leaves Bunker Hill. As the highway continues north, it passes between several sports stadiums before entering urbanized Inwood
Inwood, West Virginia
Inwood is a census-designated place in Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States, located south of Martinsburg. The population was 2,954 at the 2010 census. It is located on U.S...
. In Inwood, US 11 becomes concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with West Virginia Route 51 (WV 51) for about 0.2 mile (0.321868 km). As with the community of Ridgeway and Bunker Hill, US 11 serves as the main north–south road through the town.
The intersection of County Route 32 and the Winchester Pike forms the southwestern corner of the Eastern WV Regional Airport
Eastern WV Regional Airport
Eastern WV Regional Airport , also known as Shepherd Field, is a joint civil-military public airport located four miles south of the central business district of Martinsburg, a city in Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA....
, which the pike passes to the west of as it approaches the community of Pikeside
Pikeside, West Virginia
Pikeside is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, West Virginia, USA. Pikeside is situated along U.S. Route 11 about 3.4 miles south of Martinsburg....
and an intersection with County Route 19. The name of the road changes back to Winchester Avenue as it heads north into the city of Martinsburg, intersecting WV 45 before the highway turns east onto West King Street. US 11 heads east for several blocks along King Street before turning north along Queen Street, concurrent with WV 9 and WV 45. The three highways pass just west of the Martinsburg train station
Martinsburg (Amtrak station)
Martinsburg Station is a railway station in Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States served by Amtrak and MARC. The station also included the historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad roundhouse, and Martinsburg Shops....
, which services both Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and MARC
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
, before passing under the railroad track, belonging to the Winchester and Western Railroad
Winchester and Western Railroad
The Winchester and Western Railroad is a shortline railroad operating from Gore through Winchester, Virginia and West Virginia to Hagerstown, Maryland. It also operates several lines in southern New Jersey, connecting to Conrail Shared Assets Operations at Millville and Vineland...
. An intersection with East Moler Avenue carries WV 45 east, while another interchange in the northern outskirts of the city carries WV 9 north towards a cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with I-81 as US 11 turns northeast.
US 11 continues north through the communities of Bessemer
Bessemer, West Virginia
Bessemer is an unincorporated town on U.S. Highway 11 in Berkeley County, West Virginia....
and Hainesville
Hainesville, Berkeley County, West Virginia
Hainesville is an unincorporated town on U.S. Route 11 in Berkeley County, West Virginia.- See also :*Battle of Hoke's Run...
, where the highway meets County Route 5, before approaching an intersection with WV 901, which serves as a short connector route to I-81. After passing through the community of Falling Waters
Falling Waters, West Virginia
Falling Waters is an unincorporated census-designated place on the Potomac River in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located along Williamsport Pike north of Martinsburg. According to the 2010 census, Falling Waters has a population of 876....
on the western banks of the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
, the highway turns more towards the north and has its only grade-separated interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
, a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
with I-81. After crossing over the freeway, a left intersection with County Route 1 provides access to Little Georgetown
Little Georgetown, West Virginia
Little Georgetown is a small unincorporated community along the Potomac River in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located northeast of Hedgesville and Georgetown....
to the west as the pike passes through the community of Marlowe
Marlowe, West Virginia
Marlowe is an unincorporated town on U.S. Route 11 in Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States.Sites on the National Register of Historic Places located near Marlowe are: the Charles Downs II House, Harmony Cemetery, Marlowe Consolidated School, and Power Plant and Dam No. 5....
. US 11 in West Virginia ends at the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, however the roadway continues north as US 11 in Maryland. In contrast to I-81, no part of US 11 is listed on the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
, a system of roads that are important to the nation's economy, defense and mobility.
History
The highway roughly parallels the Warrior Path, an old indian trail which connected New York to the Carolina Piedmont via Virginia and West Virginia. A series of roads linking Virginia to Maryland through Martinsburg were present on maps as early as 1873.US 11 is one of the original six highways that were part of the U.S. Numbered Highway System
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
in the state, the others being US 19
U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia
U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia runs through West Virginia from the Virginia state line in Bluefield, WV to the Pennsylvania state line near Mount Morris, PA.-Route:...
, US 21, US 40
U.S. Route 40 in West Virginia
In the U.S. state of West Virginia, U.S. Route 40 runs for through the Northern Panhandle region. The highway enters the state on the Military Order of the Purple Heart bridge concurrent with US 250, crossing Wheeling Island, before joining Interstate 70 over the Fort Henry Bridge before...
, US 50
U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia
U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia runs from the border with Ohio to Virginia, passing briefly through Garrett County, Maryland, and following the Northwestern Turnpike. Prior to the U.S. Highway System it was West Virginia Route 1 and in the 1930s, the road was not finished in Maryland...
, and US 60.
The oldest bridge still in use on the highway is the bridge over Middle Creek
Middle Creek (Opequon Creek)
Middle Creek is a tributary of Opequon Creek, belonging to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds, located in Berkeley County in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.-Headwaters and course:...
, about 0.02 miles (32.2 m) north of the interchange with County Route 11/8 in Martinsburg. The overpass carrying the railroad tracks in Martinsburg was originally constructed in 1976.
Major intersections
External links
- U.S. Route 11 on H.B.'s West Virginia Highways Page