WV

The government of West Virginia, US, is planning to adopt private public partnership (PPP) model for the construction of the new Coalfield Expressway.

Under the plan, the state government and Coalfields Expressway Authority will advertise for the request of qualifications of the Division of Highways’ first PPP project.

Transportation secretary Paul A Mattox Jr said: "The PPP is another valuable tool to continue to preserve, maintain and build highways infrastructure in West Virginia."

The 3.3-mile section of the Coalfields Expressway will connect Mullens to sections that are already under construction.

When complete, the expressway will be 19 miles connecting I-64/I-77 with Mullens.

The entire multi-lane Coalfields Expressway project will connect I-64/I-77 at Beckley and US 23 near Grundy.

"The PPP is another valuable tool to continue to preserve, maintain and build highways infrastructure in West Virginia."

West Virginia governor Earl Ray Tomblin said: "A solid infrastructure helps to provide our communities with additional economic development opportunities, and the public-private partnership concept is a great example of how state government and the private sector can work together to improve the quality of life for our residents."

Coalfields Expressway Authority executive director Richard Browning said: "Hopefully, the highway can be opened up for usage from Mullens to Beckley very soon after this construction is complete.

"Completion of this link is an important milestone in the evolution of the Coalfields Expressway."

Final bids for the project are expected to be opened in December this year, with construction expected to begin by mid-2015.


Image: The Coalfields Expressway interchange in 2004 near Sophia, West Virginia. Photo: courtesy of Seicer.