Shawnee Parkway Explained

Header Type:UC
Maint:none
State:WV
Type:WV
Route:154
Alternate Name:Shawnee Parkway
Length Mi:23
Length Ref:[1]
Direction A:South
Direction B:North
Terminus A:Ghent
Terminus B:Near Ashland
Counties:Mercer, McDowell
Previous Type:WV
Previous Route:152
Next Type:WV
Next Route:161

The Shawnee Parkway,[2] planned to be designated as West Virginia Route 154,[3] is a proposed 23miles two-lane arterial highway. Should it be constructed, the highway will run through McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, and Raleigh counties in southwestern West Virginia. The expressway is proposed to begin at the Ghent interchange along Interstate 77 (West Virginia Turnpike) in the east and end at the planned King Coal Highway (relocated U.S. Route 52) near Ashland.[1] [4]

The highway was identified as a High Priority Corridor in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). The study area,[5] consisting of County Routes 11 and 14 in Mercer County, and County Routes 16/6 and 16/2 in Wyoming County, features extensive no-passing zones, narrow roadway widths, non-existent shoulders, sharp horizontal curves, steep vertical grades, and substandard pavement materials for a heavy traffic load.[1] As a result, the level of service along the routes within the study area range from B to E.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Shawnee Expressway . West Virginia Department of Transportation . Executive Summary . n.p. . West Virginia Department of Transportation . n.d. .
  2. Web site: West Virginia Code ยง17-28-3. West Virginia Code. West Virginia Legislature. November 10, 2017.
  3. Book: Design Guide for Signing . West Virginia Department of Transportation . Division of Highways Traffic Engineering Division . January 2017 .
  4. Web site: King Coal Highway Preferred Alternative. West Virginia Division of Highways.
  5. West Virginia Department of Transportation . Study Area and Study Route . Scale not given . n.p. . West Virginia Department of Transportation . n.d. .