A motorist driving on US 52 from Bluefield to Williamson now must travel through 35 communities and six school zones.
Slowdowns are common as drivers contend with in-town traffic stops and turns.
In and out of town, the motorist contends with heavy truck traffic and a succession of steep grades and difficult curves over rugged mountain terrain. This heavy truck traffic has caused the situation to become more and more difficult in recent years. Between 1987 and 1992, the percentage of coal moving out of the area by truck increased by approximately 11 percent. These trucks carry over half of all coal mined in the area. At the same time, the demand to provide access to schools, hospitals and stores has increased as facilities have been centralized.