Nestled amidst the rugged terrains of West Virginia is Corridor L, a marvel of engineering and a testament to the determination of a state to connect its people and spur economic and tourism growth. As one traverses this highway, they’re not just covering miles on a roadway; they’re journeying through decades of history and stories of immense dedication.
Established as part of the Appalachian Development Highway System, Corridor L connects the West Virginia Turnpike and Interstates 64 and 77 in Beckley to Interstate 79 near Sutton, thereby acting as a lifeline for both through traffic and tourists flocking to some of the state’s most iconic landmarks. Take, for instance, the New River Gorge Bridge—this isn’t merely a structure allowing vehicles to pass. It stands as an emblem of West Virginia’s ambition and prowess, holding the record of the world’s largest arch bridge for 26 years.
The roots of Corridor L trace back to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) of 1965, a concerted effort by 13 Appalachian states and the federal government to breathe new life into a region hungering for development. The ARC was not just about highways; it was about building bridges–both literal and metaphorical–to the future.
The construction for the entirety of Corridor L started in 1969 and was finalized in 1978. Upon completion, it was signed as US Route 19, which had been approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHO) in November 1970. A spur to the West Virginia Turnpike was finished in 1980.
The stretch from this Turnpike to US Route 60 at Hico was developed as a four-lane road. However, between Hico and Interstate 79, Corridor L initially had two lanes but was built on land set aside for four lanes. This included the pre-existing segment of US Route 19 between Mt. Nebo and Summersville. Notably, the Summersville bypass was constructed with four lanes.
Corridor L roughly followed the trail of US Routes 19 and 21 and included the pre-existing Oak Hill bypass and an improved stretch between Mt. Nebo and Summersville, which came into existence around the time Summersville Lake was created and Hughes Bridge was built. Besides being a ribbon of concrete and asphalt, Corridor L included several notable bridges.
The Hughes Bridge, gracefully spanning the Gauley River and Summersville Lake, is a Warren deck truss erected by the Foster & Creighton Company at the cost of $3.5 million. It was opened to traffic following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 1, 1964. The crossing was measured at 1,395 feet in length with a roadway deck 28 feet wide, and a height 250 feet above the bed of the Gauley River. Although the Four-Mile Bridge and the Bluestone Bridge on the non-state-maintained West Virginia Turnpike were taller, this bridge was recognized as the highest in the state-maintained road system.
Further south, the Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge is equally as impressive as it stretches over the Meadow River. The Warren deck truss was constructed by W. P. Dickerson & Sons and completed in 1973 at the cost of $3.8 million.
But arguably, the crown jewel is the New River Gorge Bridge. This Corten steel arch, designed by the Michael Baker Corporation and constructed by the American Bridge Division of US Steel, was more than just a bridge. It was a statement. Upon its opening in 1977 at the cost of $34 million, it was the largest arch bridge in the world, a record that remained unbroken until 2003, and the second-highest crossing in the United States.
As years rolled on, the popularity of Corridor L and US Route 19 surged, often acting as a preferred route for many to elude the bustling Charleston and the toll-burdened West Virginia Turnpike. The time-saving appeal of Corridor L was undeniable, shaving an hour compared to using Interstates 77 and 79. Recognizing the increasing traffic, efforts to expand Corridor L, making it four lanes all the way between Hico and Interstate 79, commenced in 1990. That’s when the state announced it would spend $38.8 million to widen the remaining two-lane segments of Corridor L to four lanes. It would be paid from the state Parkways, Economic Development & Tourism Authority’s payback to the state for widening the West Virginia Turnpike.
Projects associated with Corridor L initially had a deadline of either 1993 or 1994. This was due to a stipulation regarding Turnpike reimbursement funds, which required them to be utilized within a five-year period. Additional funding was secured by Senator Robert C. Byrd. In June, the expansion of Corridor L commenced with the segment from Airport Road (County Route 19/32) and Irish Corner Road (County Route 41/1).
The Hughes Bridge was rehabilitated in 1990 and dualized with a near-identical Warren deck truss in 1991-94. The twin span was completed by the Battle Ridge Company and the C.J. Mahan Construction Company at the cost of $13.7 million. It was dedicated by Governor Gaston Caperton, Senator Robert C. Byrd, and Representative Bob Wise on November 1, 1994.
In January 1993, the Orders Construction Company of St. Albans was awarded an $8.5 million contract for the construction of a companion bridge to the Kevin Ritchie Memorial Bridge. The funding for this bridge was provided by Senator Byrd. By the summer of 1995, the new bridge over the Meadow River was completed.
The entire Corridor L expansion project was completed in 1996.
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