WVDOH Hosts Public Workshop for Proposed Harmony Grove Interchange Project
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) hosted a well-attended public workshop to discuss the engineering plans for the proposed Harmony Grove Interchange Project. The event served as an active, collaborative forum for area residents, commuters, and regional business leaders to offer vital public feedback on an infrastructure initiative destined to fundamentally reshape the traffic and logistical landscape of the greater Morgantown area.
Strategic Project Vision and Core Purpose
The Harmony Grove Interchange is engineered to be a critical, high-capacity addition to the I-79 shipping and commuter corridor. By carving out a strategic new point of highway access, the WVDOH aims to directly alleviate long-standing rush hour congestion bottlenecks at neighboring exits while providing the robust highway infrastructure necessary to sustain massive economic growth within the rapidly expanding Morgantown Industrial Park.
| Project Parameter | Administrative & Engineering Description |
|---|---|
| Geographic Location | Interstate 79 Corridor, positioned between Exit 148 (Interstate 68 East junction) and Exit 152 (U.S. Route 19 / Westover interchange) |
| Primary Objective | Alleviate mainline interstate congestion, improve regional safety, and directly support commercial freight flow into the Morgantown Industrial Park |
| Workshop Format | Open-house public session featuring engineering blueprints, data displays, and interactive one-on-one sessions with WVDOH specialists |
| Public Comment Deadline | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
Active Community Engagement at Skyview Elementary
The open-house structure deployed at Skyview Elementary allowed for highly personalized, transparent interactions. Rather than sitting through a rigid formal presentation, attendees were encouraged to move freely between stations and engage directly with civil engineers, environmental specialists, and state planners.
High-resolution displays of the proposed interchange footprint and geographic alignments gave participants a clear look at upcoming construction phases, ensuring localized community concerns are reviewed early in the design pipeline:
- Direct Technical Access: Stakeholders spoke one-on-one with agency heads and project managers to clarify right-of-way questions and neighborhood impacts.
- Information Transparency: Detailed traffic volume projection charts, design variations, and baseline environmental impact considerations were displayed openly for public examination.
- Robust Regional Participation: A steady, continuous stream of property owners, civic representatives, and local motorists participated throughout the three-hour late afternoon window.
Public Commentary: How to Submit Your Input
Your voice plays a vital role in shaping West Virginia's transport future! If you were unable to attend the in-person workshop in January, the WVDOH strongly encourages you to review the official alternatives analysis and project data sheets online. Public input remains a crucial component in final adjustments to the environmental review and design authorization phases.
Official Administrative Notice: Formal written or digital comments regarding the engineering alignments for the Harmony Grove Interchange Project will be accepted into the official project record through Monday, February 16, 2026.
Accessibility Statement:
The West Virginia Department of Transportation will, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in our services, programs, and activities. Please contact us at (304) 558-3931. Persons with hearing or speech impairments can reach all state agencies by calling (800) 982-8772 (voice to TDD) or (800) 982-8771 (TDD to voice), toll free.
