By Patrick Hurston
Nearly 100 attendees filled the auditorium of East Hardy High School Apr. 22 for a West Virginia Department of Highways (DOH) Corridor H public hearing.
Despite hearing additional public testimony from approximately 20 speakers, Dept. of Highways (DOH) Deputy Chief Engineer Sarah Runyon said no new issues surfaced during the just over one-hour hearing.
The public comment period ends June 1, 2025.
Runyon said that if no significant new information comes to light, the review period of the Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) will end, and the project will file a Finding of No Significant Impact, allowing it to move forward. If new information not previously evaluated by DOH does come to light, a decision to produce a Supplemental Environment Impact Statement will be made.
Examples that could lead to a new Environmental Impact Statement include the discovery of a new species, a new migratory path, or new water quality issues, Runyon said. She believes that’s unlikely; however, given the extensive studies performed and the data reviewed to this point.
Speakers at the hearing were split evenly between those supporting the project and those opposing it.
Comments in favor of the project were consistent: convenience; economic expansion; safety; and faster EMS response times.
Those opposed were similarly consistent: waste of taxpayer funds; detrimental environmental impact; economic harm to Wardensville; and concern about the effect on Wardensville’s water quality.
The latest DOH report says that the potential for impacts has been reduced since the 2003 Amended Record of Decision (AROD) was issued. The updated design is higher in elevation and farther away from groundwater between Trout Run and Anderson Ridge, according to the report.
DOH also says it has established contingency plans and committed to providing Wardensville financial assistance to improve its public water supply system.
Monthly monitoring of groundwater levels also indicate the proposed roadbed will not intersect the permanent water table within the Source Water Protection Area.
Other mitigation efforts that will remain in place moving forward include:
– stormwater management facilities to collect and treat roadway runoff, as well as to contain accidentally spilled hazardous materials;
– restrictions on refueling of construction vehicles within the source water protection area;
– development and ongoing evaluation of monitoring wells;
– implementation of a blasting plan to minimize impacts to water systems;
– monitoring ground movement; and
– funding to Wardensville to allow screened and sand-packed water intake.
According to the report, other significant design changes since the last public meeting in 2022 include:
– an expansion of the Trout Run bridge from approximately 200 feet to 600 feet;
– an expansion of the Waits Run bridge from approximately 360 feet to 1,300 feet;
– a shift to the south by 230 feet where the project crosses Anderson Ridge, reducing residential relocations and increasing the distance of the project from J. Allen Community Park; and,
– elimination of the northern Waites Run exit ramp to avoid relocations in the Stone Crest Village mobile home community.
Though the DOH website says construction was estimated to begin this summer, Runyon says that’s unlikely.
She said more likely is that the first contract will be issued late this year that covers three miles of grading and drainage, including paving and opening lanes to the Trout Run cutoff as well as an entrance ramp.
She said residents may also notice tree clearing this winter.
Runyon noted that Virginia Department of Transportation had recently reached out to discuss potential timelines and seek DOH’s thoughts, perhaps suggesting the project is regaining momentum across the border.
The full report, as well as storyboard summaries can be reviewed on the DOH website at https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/major-projects/Corridor-H
Written comments may be submitted by June 1 online or mailed to:
Ms. Sarah L. Runyon P.E.
Deputy Chief Engineer –
Development
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Building 5, Room 820
Charleston WV, 25305
