GRUNDY, VA – DECEMBER 15, 2020 — A resolution stressing the importance of the Coalfields Expressway as “absolutely critical to the economic development and diversification of” the far Southwest Virginia region was adopted Tuesday by the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority Board (CFX Authority).
The resolution urges the Commonwealth of Virginia and the federal government to “do all they can to cause the completion of the Coalfields Expressway in Virginia in as expeditious manner as possible for the benefit of the Commonwealth’s citizens in far Southwest Virginia.”
The action was taken during a meeting of the CFX Authority Board held on Dec. 15. The CFX Authority board was formed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017 to improve the transportation into, from, within and through Southwest Virginia; to assist in regional economic development; and to generally enhance highway safety in the affected localities of Southwest Virginia. Appointments to that board were recently finalized by the state and the authority held its organizational meeting in October. The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority provides staff support to the authority board.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has broken down the roadway’s construction into five phases. The CFX Authority board designated the 6.4-mile Pound Connector as the first priority of the authority due to its impact on the Red Onion Industrial site in Dickenson County. A three-member committee comprised of J.H. Rivers, Scott Mullins and Don Baker was appointed to advance the project priority.
Authority members also agreed to ask CFX Authority Board Member James Keen to take the lead in speaking with coal operators along the proposed project route, especially in the Doe Branch and Slate Creek areas of Buchanan County, to determine whether there might be some coal synergies related to development of the overall project.
The Coalfields Expressway, designated as U.S. Route 121 and a Congressional High Priority Corridor, is a proposed limited-access highway to provide a modern, safe and efficient transportation artery through the coalfields region of far Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia.
The resolution adopted Tuesday noted the state of West Virginia recently opened the first leg of the Coalfields Expressway in that state, however, it points out, Virginia has no sections of the Coalfields Expressway funded or under construction except for a shared section with U.S. 460 in Buchanan County.
The resolution noted the completion of the Coalfields Expressway will open up new areas for economic development, including new business and industrial sites and improved access to existing business and industrial parks, thereby making the region much more competitive for economic development projects. Additionally, it noted the road would allow the region’s citizens much better access to employment, educational, workforce development and health care opportunities.
In other business, the board unanimously accepted an offer by Delegate Will Morefield for Morefield to collaborate with his legislative counterparts in West Virginia and Kentucky on behalf of the authority with an eye toward getting the Coalfields Expressway completed and connected in the tri-state area.
The board also heard a presentation from the Virginia Department of Transportation on the proposed CFX alignment; and adopted bylaws to govern the CFX Authority Board going forward.
About the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority: The Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority was formed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017 to improve the transportation into, from, within and through Southwest Virginia; to assist in regional economic development; and to generally enhance highway safety in the affected localities of Southwest Virginia. The Coalfields Expressway, designated as U.S. Route 121 and a Congressional High Priority Corridor, is a proposed limited-access highway to provide a modern, safe and efficient transportation artery through the coalfields region of far Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority provides staff support to the authority board. www.vceda.us/cfxauthority.