Published July 1990 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd New Funds for West Virginia's ARC Highways Recently, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I added $30 million for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) highway construction in West Virginia to a Senate funding bill, and succeeded in earmarking $45 million of ARC highway construction funds specifically for a 5.3 mile segment of ARC Corridor G between Nolan and Williamson in Mingo County. Completing the ARC corridor highways in West Virginia is one of my top priorities. In addition to adding these funds for Corridor G, I will seek additional funds for Corridors H and D in another appropriation bill. Two years ago, I added $18 million for the Buckhannon Bypass on Corridor H. Last year, I pushed through $62 million for continued construction on both Corridors H and G, of which $10 million was for Williamson's notorious "rock wall" segment of Corridor G. Several weeks ago, I introduced legislation, cosponsored by Senator Rockefeller, to include the completion of the ARC corridor highways in the next federal highway authorization bill, and to allocate construction funds, including $462 million for West Virginia's ARC routes, out of the federal highway trust fund surplus. However, I do not intend to await final action on that bill, which may be months away. I am going ahead now with funding action in my Appropriations Committee for West Virginia's corridor highways. Since the Colonial era, West Virginia's growth and development have been hindered by bad or nonexistent roads. Throughout our state's history, the creation of jobs and the attraction of new businesses and industries have depended on ready access to progressively more modern highways. Completing the ARC corridor highways will increase West Virginia's appeal to outside investors and will allow West Virginia business people to reach new markets and new customers more easily with their goods and services. My ARC corridor highway appropriations are important for West Virginia's future growth and economic prosperity, and I shall continue my efforts to push completion of these vital commercial and travel links in our state. July 25, 1990