BECKLEY, W.Va. — It took twice as long as originally projected, but on Thursday evening the East Beckley Bypass in Raleigh County officially opened to two-way traffic.
Workers opened the final leg of the road project on Industrial Drive at 7 pm. There is some shoulder and guardrail work to be completed, but that was not expected to impact drivers.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation first broke ground on the roadway back in 2014. Since then, there have been construction delays caused by right-of-way issues, a D-E-P investigation into a gas line near Industrial Drive, and a contractor dispute.
The next phase of the overall project will connect the road to Shady Spring through the widening of Route 19.