
The final stretch of Interstate 64 between St. Louis and Hampton Roads to open was the 36 mile long stretch from I-77 at Beckley east to Sam Black Church (Exit 156). Constructed at a cost of $313.5 million and after 20 years of delay, I-64 was completed in the Mountain State on July 15, 1988.1
I-64 was first envisioned to follow the U.S. 60 corridor from Charleston southeast to Lewisburg. The winding course of U.S. 60 between the two cities traversed steep mountains with narrow lanes. In the mid-1960s, the proposed alignment shifted southward to protect wetlands and offset years of construction delays with upgrading the route along U.S. 60.1
Interstate 64 West Virginia Guides
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CR 9/9 (Airport Road) stems north from Route 307 (Scott Ridge Road) to a six-ramp parclo interchange with Interstate 64. 10/02/10 |
A loop ramp joins Interstate 64 west ahead of the East Beckley Bypass from CR 9/9 (Airport Road) north. The county route extends north to Clifftop and Raleigh County Memorial Airport (BKW). 10/02/10 |
Sources:
- "WEST VIRGINIA MARKS OPENING OF LAST STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 64." St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), July 17, 1988.
Photo Credits:
10/02/10 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 77
Page Updated 09-07-2021.