For nearly 60 years, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy has worked to protect the natural beauty, rural character, and close-knit communities of the Highlands. As plans move forward for the Parsons-to-Davis section of the Corridor H highway, we believe there is a better path forward—one that meets transportation needs while respecting the people, places, and landscapes that make this region special. That’s why the Conservancy supports a northern alternative route for this segment of Corridor H, an option that avoids the most sensitive headwaters, forests, and communities, and reflects a more thoughtful, balanced approach to infrastructure in the Highlands.

Overview

  • Appalachian Corridor H is a planned four-lane highway originally designated in 1965 to connect I-81 in Strasburg, VA to I-79 in Weston, WV.
  • The proposed Parsons-to-Davis section of the corridor traverses Backbone Mountain—made of the notoriously unstable Mauch Chunk formation in the Monongahela National Forest—passes adjacent to the National Natural Landmark Big Run Bog and numerous native trout streams before making its way across the historic Blackwater Canyon towards the booming tourist destination of Blackwater Falls State Park and the towns of Thomas and Davis.
  • The planned route would cost $100 million per mile totaling at $800 million, contributing further to the billion dollar boondoggle the corridor has become.
  • The suggested route has drastic lasting consequences for the environment, community, and tourism hub that has organically grown out of the Thomas-Davis area. This area is home not just to the two historic aforementioned towns, but also: the Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Backbone Mountain, Big Run Bog, and a plethora of wild trout streams which together welcome thousands of visitors every year.

Why It Matters

  • Environmental Impacts: forest fragmentation, rare species, water quality,  acid mine drainage, recreation impacts.
  • Further threats to public lands and iconic landmarks such as: Blackwater Canyon, Blackwater Falls State Park, Monongahela National Forest, and the Canaan Valley.
  • The preferred alternative, known as ROPA, will split the "sister towns" of Thomas and Davis with a major four-lane highway, prohibiting the development of the planned "greenway" between the two towns.

Better Alternatives

  • We, along with our collaborators, have mapped out and suggested an alternative route that would begin east of the town of Davis and go north and around the town of Thomas, Blackwater Canyon, the Monongahela National Forest, and other landmarks. Protecting countless species and habitats from the irreversible harm in the process.
  • The "Go North" campaigns' proposed route would not only be an environmentally safer choice for the Department of Highways, but also a financially more responsible choice.

WVHC's Role

  • Supporting community advocacy, monitoring the West Virginia Division of Highways and Federal Highway Administration process, submitting public comments, and raising awareness statewide.
  • Continuing WVHC's long history of opposing destructive Corridor H alignments. Read more here.