Corridor L - West Virginia's Gateway to Adventure

Connecting Interstate 79 to the West Virginia Turnpike near Beckley, Corridor L stretches almost 70 miles through the heart of West Virginia. It may be the state’s most vital highway, serving as the most direct path for residents and newcomers from Western Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario traveling south. It also transformed this formerly remote region into a destination for tourists and adventure seekers worldwide.

Corridor L is a product of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) that is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission.  The Appalachian Development of 1965 put into motion the formation of the ADHS and the funding for the eventual construction of Corridor L.  Construction on Corridor L would begin in 1969, and the route would be completed in 1978. (1) A one-mile spur of Corridor L connecting to the West Virginia Turnpike would open in 1980.  From the West Virginia Turnpike north to US 60, Corridor L was built as four lanes divided.  From US 60 to Interstate 79, the highway was built as a two-lane road except for the bypass around Summersville.

Corridor L carries US 19 for its entire length. The road quickly became popular with northern travelers heading south for vacations or returning home during the holidays. Corridor L (using current figures) saves $9.00 in tolls and 43 miles (roughly 40-45 minutes) of travel compared to taking I-79 and the WV Turnpike via Charleston.

The popularity of the route led to widening the entire corridor to four lanes during the 1990s.  This project would be finished in 1998. The total cost to construct the entire highway was $461 million. (1)

Beckley to Fayetteville:

Corridor L begins and ends at the West Virginia Turnpike just north of Beckley.  If you are entering the turnpike from the south or exiting the turnpike going north, you will have to pay a $0.40 toll.  This is the only exit - albeit partial - on the turnpike that still has toll collection.  This is due to the route's popularity among travelers heading north or south.

Corridor L misses the small towns of Bradley and Mount Hope as it heads towards Oak Hill.  In Glen Jean, signs point you off of Corridor L to Thurmond.  Located about seven miles from Corridor L, Thurmond Depot is part of New River Gorge National River and was once a booming coal and rail town that is as close to a ghost town as you can get. As of the 2010 Census, five people live in Thurmond.  Most of the town's buildings are owned and preserved by the National Park Service.  The former passenger station has been converted into a visitor center, which is open during the summer months.

Returning to the highway, Corridor L next runs along a limited-access bypass of Oak Hill.  One of the first sections of Corridor L to be built, the bypass is signed at 55 miles per hour. Oak Hill is where legendary country singer Hank Williams died on his way to a show in Canton, Ohio, on January 1, 1953.

Corridor L approaching Fayetteville.

After Oak Hill, Corridor L runs north to the heart of the New River Gorge Region and the town of Fayetteville.  Fayetteville calls itself the "Coolest Small Town".  The growth in outdoor recreation has greatly benefited Fayetteville as numerous outdoor expedition companies have located here.  Whether it is white water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or another outdoor pursuit, Fayetteville is the central point within the New River Gorge Region. 

New River Gorge Bridge:

New River Gorge Bridge

Leaving Fayetteville, you cross the defining element of Corridor L and the focal point of the region: the New River Gorge Bridge, a 3,030-foot steel arch that soars 876 feet above the New River. When it opened in 1977, the bridge immediately reduced river crossing time by 30–45 minutes. It also opened the area—thanks to Corridor L—to through-traffic between north and south. Every third Saturday in October, the area hosts Bridge Day: a large festival closing the bridge for BASE jumping and rappelling.

On the north landing of the bridge, the Canyon Rim Visitors Center sits just off the highway.  The Visitor's Center is part of the New River National Park and Preserve, offering multiple views from various viewing platforms, an interpretive center that features information on the region's geography and the bridge's history, and is a great stop for picnicking.  There are whitewater rafting and other outdoor outfitters near the visitor center.  A new experience called the Bridge Walk allows courageous adventurers to walk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. The tour, which occurs daily, allows you to take in the bridge and its surroundings from a catwalk underneath this famous landmark.  The cost is $79 for this unique experience.

New River Gorge Bridge to Summersville:

Corridor L continues north along a scenic ride towards US 60 and the Midland Trail.  Numerous outdoor expeditionary companies can be found just off the highway.  Beyond the interchange with US 60, Corridor heads towards another scenic and outdoor-centered area - the Gauley River National Recreation Area.  The Gauley River and nearby Summersville Lake are known for camping, white water rafting, and fishing.  There are many times when you will see cars along US 19 parked on the shoulder or at a nearby parking area to access either the Gauley or the lake.   The main entrance to the park is just off of US 19 along WV 129.

Corridor L through Summersville - notice the 50-mph speed limit.

Summersville is the last town along Corridor L (if you are headed North) and is notoriously known for its speed trap.  The speed limit for this five-mile stretch of US 19 is 50 miles per hour.  This speed trap has been documented throughout the country and in Canada. Some go as far as to boycott the town completely.  Summersville is the Nicholas County seat, and along US 19 are numerous restaurants, gas stations, and hotels.  Downtown Summersville can be accessed from Corridor L by WV 41 or WV 39.

Summersville to I-79:

Leaving Summersville, Corridor L continues 27 miles north through the mountains to its terminus at Interstate 79.  This section of L was originally built as a two-lane highway and was one of the more dangerous stretches of US 19.  The widening of this section took place in the 1990s and includes two interchanges. One at WV 55 in Muddlety and at WV 82 in Birch River.  The original pre-Corridor L alignment of US 19 typically runs to the east of the modern expressway.  Just north of Birch River, you can follow the original US 19 into Sutton by turning onto Old Turnpike Road.

The drive up and down the mountains between Summersville and the Interstate is very scenic.  Just before Birch River on the northbound side of US 19 is the Powell Mountain Overlook.  This scenic overlook offers lovely views of the Birch River Valley and some of the impressive construction work done to build Corridor L through here.

If you are traveling through this section of US 19, be on the lookout for the Powell Mountain Goat.  Although she has passed, a memorial on the northbound lanes near mile 53 is placed in her honor.  About halfway up the mountain, there is the likeness of a goat in her honor.  There is even a Facebook page for her.

A loving tribute to the Powell Mountain Goat.

Impact on the region:

There is no doubt that Corridor L opened this section of Central West Virginia to new economies - specifically the tourism industry. (1) Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and Summersville all offer tourist accommodations along with various outdoor companies.  The highway made the natural area much more easily accessible to adventure seekers from all directions.  In addition, the influx of through travelers to southern destinations made Corridor L West Virginia's Gateway to the South.

Surprisingly to me, all three of the major Corridor L towns have seen an increase in population as a result of Corridor L.  In all three towns (Oak Hill, Fayetteville, and Summersville), there was a significant increase in population between 1970 and 1980 (while the road was being constructed).  Oak Hill saw a 50% increase in population (4,738 to 7,120), Fayetteville a 38% increase (1,712 to 2,366),  and Summersville a 22% increase (2,429 to 2,972).  All three towns have seen significantly slower growth in the nearly 40 years since 1980, but are still higher than their 1970 and 1980 populations.

Corridor L is West Virginia's Gateway to Adventure, and the communities that sit along it certainly have welcomed newcomers from all around, whether it is just passing through, a weekend adventure, or as a new resident.

Sources & Links:

• (1) Casto, James E. "West Virginia's Corridor L Opens the Door to Tourists." Appalachia Magazine. May 1996.
• New River Gorge Bridge @ Roads to the Future ---Scott Kozel

Page Updates:

• September 28, 2025 - Corrected spelling, cleaned up grammar, and added a photo of the Powell Mountain Goat memorial.