MORGANTOWN – Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin both announced on Friday a federal award of $53.32 million for the Chaplin Hill Gateway Project, which includes construction of bridges, interchanges and pedestrian and bicycle connections.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation Mega Grant Program – an infrastructure funding program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – to the Monongalia County Commission to repair and rehabilitate I-79 exit 155, which serves as the primary vehicular connection from I-79 and Morgantown, Star City, Granville and WVU.
Capito wrote a letter of support for the project to the U.S. DOT in August.
She said Friday, “The Chaplin Hill Gateway Project will help improve traffic, increase safety and upgrade core transportation infrastructure in Monongalia County. For all those who live and work in the area, as well as those traveling through, this funding will make a transformational difference and I’m excited for this project to move forward.”
Manchin also sent a letter to the DOT earlier this year. He said on Friday the project “will create job opportunities for surrounding communities, bolster economic growth and improve safety for local travelers. When we make smart investments in our roadways that hard-working West Virginians and small businesses rely on, we are building a better future for the state. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this project for years to come.”
The project has multiple components, including replacing I-79 bridges over Chaplin Hill Road, reconstructing the exit 155 interchange, WB I-79 flyover reconstruction, and a pedestrian and bicycle connection between the Star City bridge and the regional rail-to-trail network.
Manchin also noted that he secured $2 million for I-79 Exit 155 repairs and rehabilitation as one of the Fiscal Year 2023 (which ended June 30) Congressionally Directed Spending requests.
