Published: July 29, 2006 08:16 pm      

Concern surrounds King Coal funds

Local group questions state’s role in stalled highway construction

BLUEFIELD — Area supporters of the King Coal Highway are hoping to jump-start construction on the four-lane highway near Bluefield.

However, the group is receiving conflicting information from the state of West Virginia when it comes to the availability of matching funds for the project, and supporters are specifically asking — could the state of West Virginia be responsible for stalled progress on the King Coal Highway in Bluefield?

“That’s the big question,” Nelson Walker, a member of the King Coal Highway Authority board and executive director of the Interstate 73-74 Corridor Association, said. “Do we have the 20 percent or not. We don’t know if we’ve got the matching funds or not. What is the real story? When Byrd and Rahall have gone to the extent of appropriating or legislating over $100 million for the road that can’t be used because we do not have matching funds — we have a concern.”

Walker said the group is awaiting an answer from Secretary of Transportation and Highway Commissioner Paul Mattox, and has scheduled an Aug. 15 meeting with the commissioner.

Walker said the local project supporters were recently told that the state didn’t have the 20 percent matching funds, but was later told it did. Ultimately, the group is simply hoping to see the resumption of construction on the local King Coal corridor at the K.A. Ammar Interchange. It was estimated last year that it would cost an additional $56 million to extend the four-lane highway from the interchange to Route 123 at the Mercer County Airport, which would create a “useable” segment of the roadway.

“That was the original estimate,” Walker said. “But of course the expenses have gone up on building highways. Every day that passes, the cost of building the road goes up.”

Walker said the group, including six local business leaders, have scheduled another meeting in Charleston with Mattox in hopes of jump-starting the Bluefield construction.

Mattox was out of the office Thursday and Friday, and unavailable for comment on the group’s concern. However, Brent Walker, assistant communications director for the WVDOT, said the state would never reject federal funds.

“Historically, we have always taken advantage of federal funds as it relates to our 80-20 match,” Walker said. “I can’t think of a situation where we wouldn’t if the federal funds are available. We would always endeavor to take advantage of those. We are here to build roads. That is why we exist. To build and maintain roads, and to help people travel to West Virginia.”

Walker said the authority originally requested for $25 million in funds to be allocated to Mercer County and $25 million to Wayne County. He doesn’t understand why the WVDOT wouldn’t follow that recommendation. Walker also warns that construction of I-73 is vital to the planned equestrian park project in Mercer County, adding the new four-lane interstate will run in close proximity — and just west — of the equestrian project.

If the group doesn’t get a satisfactory answer, Walker said a petition will be started, along with possible additional trips to Charleston.

Walker said he was confident that Mattox will help to clarify any confusion that may exist.

“When you speak with a loud voice, and the masses, you have more pull,” Walker said.

Walker said the group isn’t opposed to the ongoing construction of a 10-mile segment of the King Coal Highway in Mingo County, which is being completed in cooperation with several private coal companies who are helping to create the roadway bed by removing coal.

“I think that project in Mingo County is a good project with the private companies,” Walker said. “But there seems to be more interest in northern highways that the southern highways right now.”

Walker said design work on the section of I-73 that will take the roadway from the K.A. Ammar Interchange to the Mercer County Airport is complete. The only thing remaining to be done is the actual construction.

“The design has been completed,” Walker said. “What I understand is the right-of-ways have been purchased. So it’s just a matter of putting it out for contract.”

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com