Coalfields Expressway Authority Executive Director Richard Browning, DOH State Highway Engineer Joe Deneault and Coalfields Expressway Authority President Mike Goode. Approximately 30 percent has been completed on the project whose 6,662,172 cubic yards of excavation includes more than 4.5 million cubic yards from nearby borrow sites. Engineers also pointed out work that is scheduled for bids during 2001. A project that will continue the route in the Sophia area for an additional 0.6 mile from WV 54 to WV 16 at Water Tank Road is scheduled to be let to contract in August. To be bid late in October, a second contract calls for paving 3.12 miles on the previous three segments as well as construction of two bridges associated with two interchanges.
Work also includes guardrail, signing and lighting at the interchange.
Browning addressed area media at an afternoon briefing in the offices of the McDowell County Commission in Welch. Browning and Deneault used Coalfields Expressway map and interchange diagram to familiarize area media with projects on tour. Participants gathered on construction site located near the Indian Ridge Industrial Park north of Welch about a mile south of propsed interchange with King Coal Highway. Construction equipment works on grading and draining 1.1 miles of the four-lane route near Welch. Deneault and DOH District Administrator Richard Boyd point out aspects of Welch-area construction to members of media.