MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. United States Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R, and Joe Manchin, D, have announced the award of $54.32 million for the Chaplin Hill Gateway Project. The project includes new ramps for I-79 at exit 155, new bridges, redesigned exit ramps, and connections for pedestrians and bicyclists to the rail trail system and Mylan Park.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom said the successful award is the result of the continued work of the commission, WestRidge, Morgantown Utility Board )MUB) and local economic development partners with representatives from the federal government.
“It’s from the Bipartisan Investment and Jobs Act,” Bloom said. “I don’t care who you say or what you say about who you are as a political leader. that would not have happened without Republicans and Democrats working together to get this investment.”
The project will upgrade and completely reconstruct the primary access from I-79 to West Virginia University (WVU), Morgantown, Star City, and Granville. Increased access to the area is expected to create continued economic growth opportunities for the western end of the county.
“This expands and opens up what we needed to the western end; Cass and Osage are the areas we’ll be able to open up now,” Bloom said.
The grant will fund repair and construction around the Exit 155 interchange area, including new I-79 bridges, connections to trail networks, and a reconstruction of the Exit 155 interchange and the west-bound I-79 flyover.
“Building a four-lane-style boulevard roadway from exit 155 to Mylan Park,” Bloom said. “Here is the key: it’s multi-modal, meaning we are going to have different methods and ways to get out to Mylan Park, and there will be a shared use path for everyone.”
Bloom said the grant is an example of what can be accomplished when organizations, public and private, work together and follow the process. The grant application was narrowly denied last cycle, but through persistence and listening, they were successful the second time around.
“This is to enhance, expand, and expedite the Exit 155 Project, and we did it working together,” Bloom said.
This is another enhancement to the area that increases the quality of life and adds amenities for residents. The project also creates another asset when area organizations look to bring large-scale national events to the area.
“We were so close to getting the Olympic trials,” Bloom said. “This is going to put us as a frontrunner for the Olympic Trials by building this new roadway and interchange.”
Bloom said public meetings are planned for the first half of 2024 regarding the project, and some work could begin by late next year.