Route 35 Opening
Governor Justice Announces Opening of Final US Route 35 Segment, Completing 37-Mile Four-Lane Corridor
Governor Jim Justice has announced that the final 14.6-mile section of US Route 35 will officially open to traffic following a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. This major milestone marks the completion of a massive, long-awaited infrastructure corridor designed to drastically improve regional transit safety, commercial freight efficiency, and local travel connectivity across the region.
Sustained by Governor Justice’s historic $2.8 billion Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program, this project represents one of the most aggressive and logistically complex engineering initiatives in West Virginia history. With this final segment open, motorists can enjoy smooth, continuous four-lane pavement for 37 consecutive miles, extending from the Interstate 64 interchange at Scott Depot straight through to Point Pleasant and the Ohio state line.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & Event Logistics
The grand opening ceremony will take place on Veterans Day, serving as a dual occasion to pay tribute to the profound sacrifices of United States military veterans and their families. Following the formal ribbon-cutting, Governor Justice will lead an inaugural public vehicle parade along the brand-new alignment to Point Pleasant before returning to Buffalo.
| Event Parameter | Official Details & Operational Schedules |
|---|---|
| Key Dignitaries | Governor Jim Justice, along with local, state, and federal transport officials. Ceremonial musical performances will be provided by local regional high school bands. |
| Core Milestone | Official ribbon-cutting for the new four-lane configuration of US Route 35, spanning from the Buffalo Bridge to one mile north of County Route 40 in Mason County. |
| Date and Time | Thursday, November 11, 2021, commencing promptly at 11:30 a.m. |
| Geographic Site | US Route 35 New Alignment — Geographic Coordinates: 38°34'43.0"N, 82°00'57.9"W |
CRITICAL ACCESS REQUIREMENT: All public attendees and media personnel MUST enter exclusively via the designated south entrance to the new section of US Route 35, located near the turn directly before the Buffalo Bridge. Traffic access from all other perimeter intersections, including the northern terminus of the new section, is strictly prohibited. Variable message signs and law enforcement officers will be deployed on-site to direct traffic into the event staging grounds.
Virtual Broadcast & Live Stream Directories
For citizens unable to attend the field presentation, the entire ceremony and vehicle parade will be broadcast live. Digital and television options include:
- YouTube Live Feed:Watch the Route 35 Opening Ceremony on YouTube
- X / Twitter Broadcast:Follow the Live Stream via @WVGovernor
- Facebook Live Portal:View on the Official Governor's Facebook Page
- Public Television: Broadcast live on West Virginia Public Broadcasting's dedicated West Virginia Channel. Local listings can be isolated through the WVPB Station Locator.
Engineering Specifications & Construction Scope
Completing this final 14.6-mile segment required a total civil engineering overhaul, abandoning outdated local paths in favor of an optimized, completely new highway alignment. The scale of the civil construction works is detailed below:
| Civil Engineering Category | Quantities, Dimensions, & Financial Capital |
|---|---|
| Total Segment Capital Investment | Approximately $257,000,000.00 |
| Major Structural Assemblies | 10 newly constructed highway bridges and a major, high-capacity directional interchange connecting US Route 35 with WV 869 |
| Earthwork & Excavation Volume | Excavation, grading, and stabilization of approximately 16.8 million cubic yards of earthwork |
| Pavement Infrastructure | Placement of more than 73,000 tons of high-durability asphalt surface course |
| Hydrology & Drainage Controls | Installation of more than 38,000 linear feet of heavy subsurface drainage pipe |
Greg Bailey, P.E.
Deputy State Highway Engineer
West Virginia Division of Highways — Route 35 Project Delivery Team
