AASHTO Journal - WVDOT Salutes West Virginia Turnpike 70th Anniversary

The West Virginia Department of Transportation recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the ribbon cutting for the West Virginia Turnpike.

[Above photo by WVDOT]

The iconic highway, which stretches 88 miles from Charleston to Princeton, officially opened to traffic on November 8, 1954, and has played a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of the state for seven decades.

The agency said the West Virginia Turnpike was one of the first superhighways in the United States and remains a critical link connecting southern West Virginia to the rest of the country; facilitating the movement of goods, tourists, and commuters.

“We are very proud of the contributing asset we have in the West Virginia Turnpike, and very proud of the countless men and women who have made careers caring for this wonderful roadway system,” said Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority – a division of WVDOT – in a statement.

With limited infrastructure in the mountainous regions, WVDOT said state leaders in the 1950s recognized the need for a modern highway that could accommodate increasing traffic and facilitate economic development. In 1952, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill authorizing the construction of the turnpike, and the groundbreaking ceremony followed shortly thereafter.

Funded from the sale of bonds, a move seen as innovative at the time, construction crews worked tirelessly to build the road, overcoming significant engineering hurdles to carve a path through the Appalachian Mountains.

At its completion in 1954, the Turnpike was hailed as a feat of engineering, featuring a series of tunnels, bridges, and curves that were not only functional but also scenic. With an initial cost of approximately $200 million, the project was one of the largest of its kind in the country at the time, WVDOT said.

The highway continues to support key state industries such as coal, manufacturing, tourism, and retail, while also enhancing connectivity for residents and businesses in southern West Virginia. It also continues to serve as a gateway for visitors traveling to popular destinations such as the New River Gorge, one of the nation’s premier outdoor recreation spots, and the state capital, Charleston.

In recent years, the West Virginia Parkways Authority said it has invested in major upgrades, including a toll system upgrade project and travel plaza redevelopment at Beckley and Bluestone, to ensure that the roadway remains a vital route for future generations.