Frequently Asked Questions

The alternative “Northern Route” is supported by a majority of business owners: at least 27 businesses in Davis and 24 in Thomas. Many community members are concerned about ROPA and its consequences if built.
Other Appalachian Development Highway Corridors, like Corridor K in North Carolina, have been modified to accommodate unique and sensitive environments.
A: “Visual, noise and light pollution will undermine our best tourist attraction.”
No. Not under any scenario: bridge, underpass, or at-grade crossing.
Yes. A Northern Route would make a seamless bypass around the Towns for through traffic, while providing easy access for travelers heading to this destination.

This route would permanently divide the sister towns of Davis and Thomas with a massive four-lane highway and intersection, disturb miles of flooded mine tunnels, and entail years of invasive construction.
The WVDOH’s route would cross the rail trail in 3 separate places. It will damage the rural, peaceful character of nearby Blackwater Falls State Park—our State’s most visited park—with noise and light pollution. And, it’ll divide the sister-towns of Thomas and Davis, which studies show tends to damage one town and marginally benefit the other.
No. The towns of Thomas and Davis were not parties to the Corridor H settlement agreement reached in 2000. In fact, there is a substantial likelihood that DOH will be sued if it pursues the current route, unnecessarily delaying Corridor H construction.
No. The design of Corridor H is not final, and a final environmental impact analysis process, begun in summer 2022 is incomplete. This process specifically requires the WVDOH to explore alternative routes.
DOH’s “preferred route” would cross the North Fork of the Blackwater River at the historic districts of Coketon and Douglas, plus go through the Monongahela National Forest. A huge, elevated concrete and metal overpass would be the first thing that hikers and bikers on the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail from Thomas would encounter.