U.S. Senator Joe Manchin Secures Funding for Corridor H

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) secured more than $13.2 million for West Virginia to expand Corridor H through Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. Six months ago Senator Manchin requested this funding for Corridor H in his formal appropriations request to the Appropriations Committee. Senator Manchin also sent a letter to Chairman Shelby in July advocating for this funding to be included in the appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020. This is the first dedicated funding for Corridor H through annual appropriations since 2012. In the past two years, Senator Manchin has secured over $134 million in federal funding for Corridor H, bringing the project at least 15 years closer to completion than without Senator Manchin’s work.

“Corridor H was first designated in 1965. When I was Governor, I made it a priority to open more than half of Corridor H, and today I am proud to have secured this funding in the THUD appropriations bill that includes funding for Corridor H that will give our state a great resource to bring people to West Virginia. This funding will expand transportation across our state, boosting our economy through tourism and recreation. As we continue through the appropriations process, I will fight for West Virginia to receive funding for projects like this that benefit our state,” Senator Manchin said.

“The Corridor H Highway Authority is beyond excited to hear that the Appalachian Development Highway System funding has returned to the transportation funding bill,” said Robbie Morris, Chairman of the Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority. Morris continued, “We believe it is critical that the ADHS be completed throughout Appalachia so rural communities can reap the benefits it provides. Having a dedicated funding source will allow for the system, including Corridor H, to be completed in a shorter time period