The King Coal Highway – a new four-lane highway with partially controlled access between Williamson and Bluefield – has been designated as "a high priority segment of a high priority corridor in the National Highway System." (United States Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act - 1991). It ultimately will cover approximately 90 miles of mountainous southern West Virginia, opening it up to faster, safer transportation.
The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) plans to build the highway from a point near Williamson – at the intersection of WV 65 and US 119 – to Interstate 77 at its US 52 interchange in the Bluefield area. After evaluating six alternative routes for the highway and considering public comments from a May 1998 public information workshop, WVDOH selected a Preferred Alternative. By the year 2020, engineers estimate the new highway would cut travel time (compared with existing US 52) almost in half.
The Preferred Alternative plan also includes a 4-lane connector, nearly five miles long, to improve access into Williamson. The connector would also provide access to the Mingo County Airport.
The Preferred Alternative was chosen on the basis of its ability to meet the needs of the project while minimizing impact on the natural, physical and social environments. This selected route avoids the greatest number of archaeological resources and has the least impact on businesses and residences. This Preferred Alternative, however, remains "preliminary" until the completion of the entire public involvement process.
2.1.1 Preferred Alternative
The Preferred Alternative (PA) is approximately 151 kilometers (90 miles) in length. It begins in Mingo County at the intersection of WV 65 and US 119 north of Williamson, West Virginia. At this location, the PA proceeds south and then east, crossing Buffalo Mountain and US 52. It proceeds easterly and passes to the south of Delbarton. Near Delbarton, the PA turns southeasterly and generally parallels US 52, which is located north of the alternative. The PA crosses over Mingo County Route 9 and ascends to the ridge top, which it follows easterly for approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles). As the PA passes to the south of Coon Knob, Hampden and Sharon Heights, it turns south and crosses Mingo County Route 10 near Twisted Gun Gap.
From Twisted Gun Gap to just east of the Mingo/Wyoming and McDowell county lines, the PA as established for the FEIS would traverse approximately seven miles, four miles of which run through areas where seams of coal are burning. In Fall 2000, alternate routes were studied to avoid these coal fires. The DOH is currently in the process of revising the PA to the north of the original preferred alternative. The revises PA would proceed east from Twisted Gun Gap bridging over Mingo County Route 13 near its intersection with County Route 10 and continue southeasterly along the western side of Skillet Creek Valley and then turn northeasterly crossing the headwaters of Mudlick Branch. The new preferred alignment would then proceed southeasterly crossing the headwaters of Baisden Fork, Pickering Branch, Trace Fork, Big Swamp Fork and Sugarcamp Fork where it would tie back into the original preferred alignment.
The PA continues southeasterly and then easterly, following the ridge line over the McDowell/Wyoming county line. The alternative follows Indian Ridge, which is also the Wyoming/McDowell county line, eastward to Crumpler. Near Crumpler, it passes over Flat Top Mountain and parallels Pinnacle Creek. It crosses Pinnacle Creek, Mercer County Route 11, Lambert Browning Mountain and Bluestone River.
East of Bluestone River, the PA parallels Sandlick Creek and traverses the summit of Micajah Ridge. The PA continues easterly, crossing WV 20 and Mercer County routes 23 and 36. Atop Hurricane Ridge, the PA then veers south, crossing WV 123. The PA then traverses Stony Ridge in a southerly direction, crossing US 19 and US 460 to the intersection with US 52. The PA then follows US 52 northeasterly to its terminus at the US 52/I-77 Interchange.
2.1.2 Preferred Alternative –
Williamson Connector
The PA also includes a connector road (proposed 4-lane limited access highway) to facilitate efficient access between Williamson and the PA. The connector will also provide access to the Mingo County Airport. The Williamson Connector is approximately 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) in length. It begins in Mingo County at Goodman along US 52, then proceeds in an easterly direction, paralleling Sugartree Creek to the summit adjacent to the Mingo County Airport. It then passes through the gap north of Sycamore Creek and crosses US 52. The Williamson Connector then proceeds easterly towards Delbarton, where it intersects with the PA.
