About the Project
West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is improving an approximately 1.7-mile section of Jefferson Road (WV 601) from US 119 to US 60. These needed upgrades will improve safety, reduce congestion and improve opportunities for economic development.
Construction will widen Jefferson Road to five lanes, add a new roundabout at Kanawha Turnpike, and build a new overpass bridge that spans Pennsylvania Avenue, CSX Railroad, Davis Creek and Kanawha Turnpike.
Background
Jefferson Road serves as a major connector between the communities and businesses west and southwest of Charleston. A traffic study conducted in 2016 concluded excessive traffic congestion along the Jefferson Road corridor would overwhelm the roadway’s capacity by 2030. A safety study found that the crash rate along this 1.7-mile section of Jefferson Road had four times the average crash rate for similar roadways across the state. These issues coupled with the growing needs of the region reaffirmed the need to improve Jefferson Road, which regional planning studies have recommended for this corridor since the 1990s.
Jefferson Road Project Map
Project Details
Phase 1
Construction consists of new drainage/asphalt to rebuild and widen Jefferson Road between Kanawha Turnpike and Dapplewood Drive while maintaining two lanes of traffic. Also, construction will begin on the bridge that will cross Kanawha Turnpike and CSX Railroad in this phase with minor excavation, new drainage, and structure work included (area highlighted in yellow).
Phase 2A
Traffic will be pushed to the West towards the shoulder of Jefferson Road between Dapplewood and Corridor G to provide room for Phase 2A construction while maintaining two lanes of traffic. Access to all city streets and drives will be maintained for traffic during this phase. Construction in this phase that widens Jefferson Road to the East includes major excavation, new drainage, utility relocations, and new asphalt. Bridge work that started in Phase 1 will continue through this phase (area highlighted in yellow).
Phase 2B
Two lanes of traffic will relocate to the newly constructed roadway built in Phase 2A between Dapplewood and Corridor G to provide room for Phase 2B Construction. Access to all city streets and drives will be maintained for traffic during this phase. Construction in this phase rebuilds the west side of Jefferson Road. This work includes minor excavation, new drainage, utility relocations, and new asphalt. Bridge work that started in Phase 1 will continue through this phase (area highlighted in yellow).
Phase 3
Traffic will relocate onto the new alignment of Jefferson Road from Corridor G to MacCorkle Ave. Minor roadway construction will be completed in this phase to complete tie in work at the roundabout and city streets.
Phase 4
Traffic patterns will maintain on the new alignment of Jefferson Road from Corridor G to MacCorkle Ave. Minor roadway construction will be completed in this phase to complete tie in work at the roundabout and city streets.
Design and Construction
Kokosing Construction Company is coordinating design and construction. A high-level overview of the construction phasing schedule is below. A more detailed construction schedule is available below.
Funding
West Virginia’s Roads to Prosperity highway construction and maintenance program allowed WVDOT to free up existing state and federal funding for the Jefferson Road Improvement Project. The total cost for design and construction is $46.8 million.
Construction Schedule
| Season and Year | Project Phase | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2022 – Summer 2022 | 0 | Initial Construction Phase |
| Summer 2022 – Fall 2022 | 1 | Draining and widening of Jefferson Road between Dapplewood and Kanawha Turnpike |
| Fall 2022 – Summer 2023 | 2A | Excavation, drainage, and widening of Jefferson Road to the east |
| Fall 2023 – Winter 2023 | 2B | Excavation, drainage, and widening of Jefferson Road to the east |
| Summer 2022 – Winter 2023 | 1 & 2A/2B | Bridge and roundabout work |
| Spring 2024 – Summer 2024 | 3 | Tie in work at the roundabout and city streets |
| Summer 2024 – Fall 2024 | 4 | Tie in work to Kanawha Turnpike and city streets |