SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 21
(By Senators Holliday, Helmick, Schoonover, Ross and Plymale)
Expressing the will of the Senate to promote congressional
provision for federal funds to be used for the construction
of the Elk River scenic corridor highway.
Whereas, A feasibility study was performed which was
completed in 1972 by the state department of highways in
cooperation with the United States department of transportation
and the federal highway administration to determine the most
economically feasible and practical route for construction of a
highway capable of accommodating high volume interstate traffic
between the county seat of Sutton in Braxton County and the
county seat of Webster Springs in Webster County; and
Whereas, The study was conducted in contemplation of several
considerations that any future construction should be designed to
address, namely: (1) Access to I-79 for Webster County
residents; (2) termination of the isolation which grips Webster
County during winter and early spring; and (3) increased access
for all state and out-of-state vacationers to the Sutton
reservoir--Holly River state park recreational area, recreational
opportunities such as trout fishing, white water rafting,
canoeing, hiking and hunting which are abundant in Webster County
and the vast natural resources conducive to economical
development in that county, as well as the increasingly popular
Snowshoe and Silver Creek ski resorts and recreational areas,
Cass scenic railroad, the national radio astronomy observatoryand other scenic areas in Pocahontas and Randolph counties; and
Whereas, Among three existing routes between Sutton and
Webster Springs that were studied, the route that follows the Elk
River from Webster Springs along Webster County Route 7, Braxton
County Route 17 and U.S. Route 19 to Sutton, herein designated
the Elk River scenic corridor highway, was found to offer the
most economical method and location for construction of such
proposed highway; and
Whereas, The Division of Highways is currently undertaking
the updating of the 1972 study so as to ascertain all information
relevant to constructing the proposed highway; and
Whereas, It is the desire of the Senate to promote
congressional action to provide federal funding for the
construction of the Elk River scenic corridor highway in order to
provide access to I-79 for Webster County residents, end
isolation which currently exists in Webster Springs and the rest
of the county and increase access for all vacationers, tourists
and motorists to the Sutton Reservoir--Holly River state park
recreational area, the abundant other recreational opportunities
and natural resources available in Webster County as well as
Snowshoe and Silver Creek and the other scenic areas of
Pocahontas and Randolph counties; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the will is hereby expressed by the members to promote
congressional action to provide federal funding for the
construction of the Elk River scenic corridor highway; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the congressional delegation
from this state.