Topic: What was the reason I-79 was built through WV?

[herds]

I think the Feds/ state did a good job placing the interstates in WV. The corridor roads have been helpful. I do believe 35 from Charleston to Point Pleasent  upgrade needs to be completed as well as Route 2 in the Northern Panhandle.

agreed, i just wish they'd finish the z-way project in beckley

[luvherd]

Wishful thinking but I drive from DC to Huntington at least 15 times a year; therefore a straight shot would be nice versus way North or way South.

[CJHerdgrad]

As many have pointed out, it was Eisenhower that conceived of the the Interstate system.  He saw Germany's Autobahn that Hitler built and how useful it was to move large military units.  It was one of the first things he started when elected president.

WV was late to the party, and it was Senator Jennings Randolph that championed that funding.

I-79 wasn't complete thru to Charleston until around 1980 or 81.  It used to end around the Big Chimney exit and you had to take a real roundabout way into town.  I remember my sister went to Alderson-Broaddus College in Phillipi from 73-77.  That trip used to take nearly 5 hours from my hometown 20 miles east of Charleston driving mainly on a 2 lane US 19 and the few completed sections of I-79.  Completing the Interstate cut that down by half.

I've wondered if it wasn't a mistake by not having I-74 connecting thru WV.  How many would still be alive had they not been on the Tolsia Highway when they crashed.