MD/WV: North/South Corridor narrowed to three possible routes

The five possible corridors for the US 220 North/South Connector have been narrowed to three. The two corridors eliminated from the proposed Corridor H to Interstate 68 route were the furthest west -- along George's Creek -- and the furthest east, called the Patterson Creek Alternative through Fort Ashby and Burlington.

The announcement came at the conclusion of an 18-month federally funded study. Throughout this month, Maryland and West Virginia transportation officials are holding joint public information meetings about the corridors.

Mineral County, WV officials have endorsed one of the remaining corridors. They support a route that follows US 220 from Cumberland into Keyser and through the New Creek Valley. The shorter option of this corridor runs south to connect with Corridor H near Schnerr. The longer of the two closely follows and includes upgrades to US 220 ending at Corridor H in Moorefield.

Currently, there is not funding available to continue studies beyond this point. The next step called a "Tier 2" analysis is dependent on funding from either a state or federal level.

If a dedicated funding source can be made, construction of the route could begin in 2012.

Story:
N-S Mineral route still in running ---Cumberland Times-News

See Also:
MDSHA and WVDOH to hold US 220 (North-South Corridor) meetings in May

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