LOGAN, W.Va. — There’s a new connection between Chief Logan State Park and the Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center. A ribbon cutting ceremony Monday marked the official opening of Tomblin Drive.
The new nearly two-mile access road will allow park patrons to more easily get to the lodge and vice-versa, state Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox said.
“It’s been needed for a long time. I’m glad to see it come to fruition. It’s really going to help this park,” he said.
The 4,000 acre park first opened in 1969 but the lodge and conference center didn’t open until 2006. The only connection was by U.S. Route 119, Corridor G. A note on the park’s website lets potential visitors know the two were, until Monday, not connected. Mattox said the road will help both.
“There’s a lot to see in both sections of the park and this will help tie those two sections together,” he said.
Kanawha Stone was the contractor and got the road done in one construction season, Mattox said.
“It wasn’t easy at all. It’s very mountainous terrain and some steep grades, but it’s a park road so speed limits are much lower,” he said.
Tomblin Drive is named after outgoing Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, a native of Logan County. He was on hand for Monday’s ceremony.