WCBC Radio notes that the West Virginia Turnpike opened to traffic 70 years ago, on November 8, 1954. The station marks the anniversary by publishing a state news release that touts the 88-mile tollway’s contribution to mobility and economic development over the decades.
The release also looks back at the turnpike’s origins, observing that it was built “during a time of optimism and forward-thinking for the state. With limited infrastructure in the mountainous regions, state leaders recognized the need for a modern highway that could accommodate increasing traffic and facilitate economic development. . . . The highway was built using funds from the sale of bonds, a move that was seen as innovative at the time. Despite the challenges posed by West Virginia’s rugged terrain, construction crews worked tirelessly to build the road, overcoming significant engineering hurdles to carve a path through the Appalachian Mountains.”
“At its completion in 1954, the Turnpike was hailed as a feat of engineering, featuring a series of tunnels, bridges, and curves that were not only functional but also scenic. With an initial cost of approximately $200 million, the project was one of the largest of its kind in the country at the time.”