HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A long anticipated upgrade to a major entrance to the city of Huntington will soon begin. Governor Jim Justice visited Huntington Friday to announce the award of a contract for $13.5 Million to St. Albans based Triton Construction for the work.
“How long have we driven into this great city and incredible university and needed a face lift. In many ways it will make us so much better,” said the Governor.
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said plans for the upgrade have been more than ten years in the making. He recalled a pedestrian killed a decade ago crossing the street near Cabell Huntington Hospital. and said the safety alone would be one of the biggest improvements.
“This is giving us an opportunity to make sure this area between 3rd Avenue to Washington Boulevard is pedestrian safe,” said the Mayor.
However, Williams said the area is also a major commerce corridor as well and will create a zone for development like they haven’t had in the past.
“Anybody coming through here right now and then comes down Hal Greer Boulevard five years from now, they will not recognized Hal Greer Boulevard,” he said.
The design calls for improved driving surface, but also improved crosswalks, sidewalks and an area to accommodate bicycle traffic. Additionally, fiber cable to extend broadband internet will be part of the installation. Senator Bob Plymale said the installation will come under a policy the Governor has long talked about called “dig once.”
“The fact that you do not have to pay for the right of way, it’s the right of way of the state and is allowed to lay fiber along the right of way of the state at no cost,” he said.
According to Plymale the fiber will provide internet speeds a thousand times faster than what people in the Fairfield neighborhood currently use.
Construction will begin in March of 2023.