HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
(Martin, Michael, Mezzatesta, Collins, Proudfoot, Evans)



Requesting the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit to dissolve a temporary injunction that has halted completion of Corridor H connecting Elkins, West Virginia, and other communities in the east central portion of the state, to the Virginia Border.
Whereas, A federal appellate court temporary injunction has halted completion of a 5.48 mile section of the Appalachian Highway System known as Corridor H; and
Whereas , To date, this injunction has impacted 100 West Virginia jobs, with the potential loss of additional jobs associated with the completion of this modern highway; and
Whereas, A delay in completion of this major highway impacts the economic vitality, commerce and communication that will be created along the route; and
Whereas, With this injunction in place, the availability of new businesses and services to the east central region of the State due to the ease of traffic flow, is further delayed; and
Whereas, The injunction stalls the economical and efficient access to major population markets as close as one hundred fifty miles away, thereby hindering the potential boost in tourism in the State of West Virginia; and
Whereas, A delay in completion of Corridor H interferes with providing access to growth areas in the eastern United States that have primary markets, centers of government, and seaports; and
Whereas , The injunction delays the accessibility of West Virginia's timber and other natural resources to the vast industrial capacity of the northeast; and
Whereas, The injunction delays safer traveling through mountainous terrain, thereby increasing the number of accidents including fatal ones; and
Whereas, Scientific public opinion surveys document that state residents overwhelmingly support infrastructure projects such as Corridor H; and clearly support this missing link to the Appalachian Highway System; and
Whereas, Federal dollars have been set aside to use for the completion of the highway and state funds are readily available to pay the state's share; and
Whereas, The Federal Highway Administration and the Division of Highways have given careful consideration to the natural, cultural and historical assets of the area traversed by Corridor H; and
Whereas, Environmental studies and legal challenges document that construction of the highway, while avoiding, preserving or providing adequate mitigation measures to affected resources, is easily achievable; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the lifting of a federal injunction halting completion of Corridor H connecting Elkins, West Virginia, to the Virginia border, is hereby supported; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Robert C. Byrd and to the Clerk of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.