March 06, 2012

Manchin, Rockefeller Make Renewed Push for Appalachian Highway System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-WV) today announced that they are working again to get full funding to complete the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which would focus investments in rural parts of West Virginia and other states.

“After 47 years, I had hoped that the Appalachian Development Highway System would be complete by now, but there are still portions that need to be built. I believe that Congress should stand by that commitment,” said Rockefeller. “The people across West Virginia deserve to have these projects finished. Funding this highway network will spur job development, open up market access, reduce transit times, and improve safety.”

"Investments in infrastructure are one of the best ways we can work together to rebuild American and put Americans back to work,” Senator Manchin said. “When we dedicate funding to projects like the Appalachian Development Highway System, we are making investments that build our economy and strengthen this nation’s future. These are more than just short-term jobs and projects; roads, highways and bridges lay the foundation for attracting businesses and residents to our region - that's why the completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System is so critical.”

The Senate is currently debating a surface transportation bill. Within that bill is language that would scale back funds for the ADHS. Rockefeller’s amendment would change that, by restoring funds into the program.

The completion of Corridor G in the southern part of the state has become a critical link between Pikeville, KY and Charleston, much like Corridor D has in the northern part of the state between Bridgeport and Cincinnati, OH. Today, West Virginia has one more ADHS project left to complete, Corridor H. Completion of the ADHS would provide additional economic opportunities, safer modes of travel, and ease the strain on the current transportation infrastructure, including many overburdened interstate highways throughout the Appalachian region.

Background:

In 1965, Congress authorized the Appalachian Regional Commission, with assistance from the Secretary of Transportation, to construct the Appalachian Development Highway System, a 3,090-mile road system designed to supplement the Interstate System and other federal-aid highways programs.

In West Virginia, the only portion of the ADHS that remains incomplete is Corridor H.

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