CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.),
Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and
Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced
$25 million in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to
help construct a segment of the Coalfields Expressway between West Virginia Route
16 and the City of Mullens.
“When the EPW Committee
was crafting the surface transportation bill, I fought specifically to create
and include a brand new program called the Rural Surface Transportation Grant
Program, and today’s funding announcement for the Coalfields Expressway means
we are seeing the benefits of that program come to fruition,” Ranking Member
Capito said. “This highway will make our state more accessible, connect
workers to jobs, and help drive tourism and other economic activity. Today
marks an important step for the future of this key highway project, and I’m
looking forward to seeing the impact it will have on all West Virginians.”
“Our Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law continues to bring historic investments to West Virginia
– creating long-term, good-paying jobs while also addressing the state’s
infrastructure needs. The funding announced today will help construct the
Coalfields Expressway to better connect our southern West Virginia communities,
and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this project for years to
come. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue
advocating for resources to improve our roads and bridges, including my Fix
Our Country Roads Act, as we address the infrastructure needs of the
Mountain State,” Senator Manchin said.
Once completed, the
Coalfields Expressway will be a limited access multi-lane expressway connecting
I-64/I-77 (the West Virginia Turnpike) at Beckley, W.Va. and US 23 in Slate,
Va.
# #
#