A steady stream of people made their way into the Skyview Elementary cafeteria Tuesday evening – some 70 in the first 45 minutes – as the West Virginia Division of Highways conducted a public information workshop on the Harmony Grove interchange project.
What they found inside were the first real details of a project that’s been a topic of discussion going back a decade or more.
As currently proposed, “Interchange 151” will be located at the intersection of I-79 mile post 151 and River Road, approximately halfway between Exit 152 (Westover) and Exit 148 (I-79/I-68).
Of the five build options considered – one single point urban interchange, one modified cloverleaf interchange and three variations on the tight diamond interchange design – the DOH’s preferred build alternative is the tight diamond incorporating roundabouts (Alternative 2C) as it is projected to give the highest level of service at the River Road ramp terminals and reduce the total number of crashes.
Construction of that alternative is currently estimated at $40.5 million. The design, which would require the movement of some 160,719 cubic yards of earth across as much as 43 acres, is expected to displace five homes and/or businesses.
In addition to alleviating traffic – particularly heavy truck traffic – through Westover and down Dupont Road by providing the Morgantown Industrial Park and Harmony Grove area a direct connection to I-79, the project will include:
– Lighting around the interchange and along the ramps to provide continuous lighting along I-79 from Exit 148 (I-79/I-68) to Exit 152 (Westover).
– The extension of the existing truck climbing lanes from their current termination through the proposed Interchange 151 for approximately 1,000 feet in each direction.
– Extension of the concrete median barrier from the northern end of the bridge that carries I-79 over the Monongahela River through the proposed Interchange 151 and north to Exit 152 (Westover).
– Installation of high-friction pavement surface treatment would be added to the I-79 travel lanes in both directions from the northern end of the bridge that carries I-79 over the Monongahela River north to Exit 152 (Westover).
While the schedule is subject to change, the DOH anticipates the start of engineering activities in spring 2026, followed by right-of-way activities in fall 2029 and the start of construction in fall 2030.
Currently, the DOH is taking public feedback on the project’s environmental assessment and build alternatives. The environmental assessment and technical files are being made available for public review during the comment period on the project website, here.
Written comments can be sent to WV Division of Highways, Engineering Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Building 5, Room 820, Charleston, WV 25301.
The public comment period ends Feb. 16.
