Environmental groups believe residents of Wardensville, West Virginia will be negatively impacted by the construction of a four-lane highway through the town, slated for use by 2032. (West Virginia Highlands Conservancy)
West Virginia environmental groups say the federal government’s decision to greenlight a major highway through Wardensville is a major setback for communities across the state.
The Federal Highway Administration and the West Virginia Department of Transportation recently issued a finding of “no significant impact” to wildlife and natural resources for the section of the controversial four-lane highway that would connect to Virginia.
Olivia Miller, program director with the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, said the state’s decision to spend money on the project, while counties struggle with crumbling infrastructure, is hard to understand.
“So why are we pouring over $500 million dollars into this road,” said Miller, “when there are bridges and roads failing all across the state?”
The state says residents can expect the Wardensville-to-Virginia portion of the highway to be ready for use by 2032. Supporters of Corridor H say it would replace narrower roads and provide a safer, more efficient route from I-79 in West Virginia to I-81 in Virginia.
Miller said she worries the project will contribute to air pollution and damage wildlife habitat and hiking trails in the nearby George Washington National Forest. She said she believes the region’s Wood Turtle, designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, could be at risk.
“And this particular area of the George Washington National Forest,” said Miller, “is known to be one of the best remaining places in the entire country for the wood turtle.”
Residents have previously raised concerns about the impact of construction on Wardensville’s drinking water and the effects of a major bypass on the small town’s economy.
