WASHINGTON, D.C. — A large federal grant will help finance the expansion of state Route 2 in Wetzel County, both U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced Monday.
Both senators were informed by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao earlier Monday the Route 2 project had been chosen for a $10 million DOT Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.
Plans are to construct a new route for Route 2 between the towns of Proctor and Kent freeing up property along the Ohio River where the highway is currently located for additional economic development. The project will expand the highway to four lanes north of New Martinsville.
Manchin and Capito are both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. They thanked Chao for choosing the Route 2 projects in separate statements.
“This grant will open up Wetzel and Marshall Counties to more economic development and help capitalize on existing manufacturing in the area. I look forward to working with Secretary Chao in the future to bring more funding to West Virginia for these great projects,” Manchin said.
“This funding is great news for West Virginia, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with West Virginians after speaking with Secretary Chao today,” Capito said. “I’ve spoken with the secretary and administration officials numerous times in recent months to advocate for the project and let them know what a difference it will make in our state.”
The new route for the highway will align it with Route 29 in Wetzel and Marshall counties.