Published: June 13, 2009 07:35 pm      

‘Coal synergy’ driving phase two of Route 460 Connector

GRUNDY, Va. — The Virginia Department of Transportation is moving forward with another phase of the U.S. Route 460 Connector project through a “coal synergy” proposal. The project would connect with the Coalfields Expressway in Southwest Virginia.

A location public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Breaks Interstate Park Conference Center for the U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase II Coalfields Expressway interchange area at Hawks Nest in Buchanan County.

Michelle Earl, a VDOT spokeswoman, said the Route 460 Connector Phase II is a new project as the Route 460 Connector is split into two phases.

“Phase II is a coal synergy proposal, similar to the Coalfields Expressway,” Earl said. “In 2007, VDOT received an unsolicited proposal from Pioneer Group, Inc. to advance Phase II using an innovative delivery approach with the benefit of coal synergy. Coal synergy applies large scale earth moving techniques common to the coal industry as well as recovery of marketable coal reserves to offset total project development costs. Using this innovative delivery method, Pioneer would leave VDOT a 150-foot wide, rough-graded roadbed upon which to construct Phase II after the coal is extracted.”

As proposed, the project would connect to phase 1 of the Route 460 Connector near the Virginia and Kentucky line and the Breaks Interstate Park. The new alignment would then extend east at the Coalfields Expressway- Hawks Nest section for approximately 2.9 miles southeast of the Bull Gap community. The project would include the Coalfields Expressway interchange at Hawks Nest in Buchanan County.

Earl said design, right of way acquisition and construction will not be scheduled until a contract is finalized with Pioneer.

Because phases I and II of the connector project are in the federally-designated Corridor Q, Earl said the projects qualify for 80 percent federal funding with a 20 percent state match. The two phases would be funded over six-year periods.

Residents who attend the July 14 public hearing will be able to find out information about tentative construction schedules, possible impacts of the project on personal property, and right of way relocation assistance. Written and verbal comments about the project can be submitted at the hearing.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com