Action to Make a Dangerous Section of I-64 Safer
is Moving Closer to Reality

HNN Staff


Starting September 4, the West Virginia Division of Highways will take bids for the installation of eight miles of three-strand cable barriers between the 17th Street West exit to east of the 29th Street exit.

"It's about time," Jason Casto, of Wayne, said. "Too many people have died out there. It's a bad design." Casto, who lost a friend in an accident in the area 10 years ago, is referring to the curves and undivided median in the area.

"It's too bad that it took so many deaths to get the politicians off their butts," Katie Williams, of Huntington, said. "The wheels of government roll slower than the wheels of cars."

"This work will provide enhanced safety conditions in an area that has been the site of several accidents," Gov. Bob Wise said.

The barriers were requested by local and state officials after seven people died in crashes in December and January.

According to a report from the West Virginia Department of Highways, from 1998-2001, 945 accidents have occurred on the 28-mile stretch from the Kentucky state line to Milton. Seventy-nine-percent of those accidents involved vehicles entering or crossing the median.

Eventually, according to the DOH, I-64 will be widened to include a concrete barrier between three eastbound and three westbound lanes. Meanwhile, the cable barrier will be installed to help stop the carnage.