This information was last updated in 2003 and 2004. Please check back as this information will be updated soon.

Spring 2004

1. What is the current situation with the civil action filed against the project?
   There is one remaining civil action that seeks to enjoin construction of the section of West Virginia Route 9 between the Charles Town By-Pass and the West Virginia State Line. This lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against the West Virginia Department of Transportation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and alleges that the decision by the Corps of Engineers to issue a permit allowing the construction of a bridge over the Shenandoah River and related work violates the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. WVDOT will not begin to construct the bridge and undertake the related work until this lawsuit, including all applicable appeals, has been decided.
   
   
2. When is it anticipated that the entire Rt. 9 project be completed?
   

   The section of Rt. 9 from Martinsburg to Charles Town should be complete and open to traffic in three to four years. All construction work on WV 9 from Charles Town to the VA state line is on hold until both lawsuits filed against the WVDOH have been resolved. The first lawsuit has been settled in favor of the WVDOH. A hearing on the second lawsuit should be held in the near future. Once the second lawsuit has been resolved WVDOH will start construction again on this section. The final completion date depends upon the resolution of this lawsuit. Both the Martinsburg Bypass and Berkley Springs to Martinsburg sections are in the early planning stages and completion will be contingent upon federal funding.

3. When will residents and businesses being displaced by Rt. 9 be notified? When will we be told what the process is for moving and how much money we will be given for our homes?
   1. The WVDOH usually does not acquire necessary property for a highway project until final design has begun. You will be notified as soon as the final rights-of-way limits are known. When that time arrives for the Route 9 Project WVDOH will contact all persons directly affected. In some cases, such as a four-lane segment between the Charles Town bypass and Cattail Run in Jefferson County, there are no homes or businesses that need to be relocated. Two booklets are available that are extremely informative and that offer information about the property acquisition process. Both The Guide for Property Owners and Tenants and Relocation Assistance and Moving Costs of Replacement Housing can be found at Right of Way.
   
   You may find this brief summary of right of way information helpful:

   No residents will be displaced unless decent, safe and sanitary housing will be offered to those who are to be relocated. All families, farms, businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the project will be given just compensation for their property as established by accepted appraisal practices. In addition, displaced families may be eligible for certain relocation benefits, such as assistance in finding replacement homes, moving costs and replacement housing payments. Displaced businesses may also be eligible to receive relocation benefits, such as relocation assistance, actual moving costs expense reimbursement, business reestablishment expense payment and in-lieu-of payments.

   * To receive an answer to your question click here.
   
   
   Spring 2000
   

1. Are there any pending civil actions in West Virginia or Federal courts regarding the Rt. 9 project?
   There are no pending civil actions in West Virginia or Federal courts regarding the Rt. 9 project.
2. I have heard that a bike path will be constructed along Rt. 9. Where will it begin and end?
   A designated bike path will be available on the shoulders of WV 9 from Charles Town to the Virginia line. A separate bike path will be constructed with the Martinsburg to Charles Town project. This path will be located along the right of way of the new highway and will be separated from the roadway with a fence. This path will begin near the Regional Jail and end at the current Charles Town bypass.
3. How can I get a map of the preferred alignment?
   Maps of the preferred alignment are available by calling the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) at (304) 558-2838 or through the web site dedicated to the Rt. 9 project. Simply go to our contact section to send us your mailing address, and we will be more than happy to send the map to you.
4. When will residents and businesses being displaced by Rt. 9 be notified? When will we be told what the process is for moving and how much money we will be given for our homes?
   The WVDOH usually does not acquire necessary property for a highway project until final design has begun. You will be notified as soon as the final rights-of-way limits are known. When that time arrives for the Route 9 Project (two segments may be under construction by the end of 2001), WVDOH will contact all persons directly affected. In some cases, such as a four-lane segment between the Charles Town bypass and Cattail Run in Jefferson County, there are no homes or businesses that need to be relocated. Two booklets are available that are extremely informative and that offer information about the property acquisition process. Both The Guide for Property Owners and Tenants and Relocation Assistance and Moving Costs of Replacement Housing can be found at Right of Way.

You may find this brief summary of right of way information helpful:

• No residents will be displaced unless decent, safe and sanitary housing will be offered to those who are to be relocated.
• All families, farms, businesses and non-profit organizations affected by the project will be given just compensation for their property as established by accepted appraisal practices.
• In addition, displaced families may be eligible for certain relocation benefits, such as assistance in finding replacement homes, moving costs and replacement housing payments.
• Displaced businesses may also be eligible to receive relocation benefits, such as relocation assistance, actual moving costs expense reimbursement, business reestablishment expense payment and in-lieu-of payments.
  
  
  

January 2000

1. When will the Rt. 9 project be completed?
   The environmental phase of the Martinsburg to Charles Town project should be completed this summer. Construction could begin late this year on certain sections. The environmental phase of the Charles Town to Virginia line project should be completed this spring. Construction could begin in late summer on certain sections. Construction on Route 9 between Martinsburg and the state line could be completed by the year 2005.
2. Why has it taken so long for the Rt. 9 project to get underway?
   The Rt. 9 projects have been delayed because of the extensive and lengthy process of dealing with issues involving historic properties. Many concerns and issues have been raised by historic preservation groups and individual citizens. These issues have resulted in many requests for different studies and additional information, including the need to look at alternative alignments.
3. What is the cost of the Rt. 9 project?
   The cost of the Martinsburg to Charles Town project is approximately $65 million. The cost of the Charles Town to Virginia line project is approximately $70 million.
4. I hear the Rt. 9 project is broken up into three sections. Is this true, and if so, how and why is this done?
   The WVDOH is currently working on four separate projects along West Virginia Rt. 9. The projects are: Berkeley Springs to I-81 at Martinsburg, Martinsburg Bypass, Martinsburg to Charles Town, and Charles Town to the Virginia line. Route 9 was broken into four sections due to differing needs, conditions, traffic volumes and safety issues between sections. The Martinsburg to Charles Town project and the Charles Town to the Virginia line projects are the two priority projects because they have the most critical needs i.e., safety issues, congestion and increasing traffic volumes.
5. Is the purpose of the Rt. 9 project to alleviate traffic congestion or stimulate more economic development?
   The main reasons for upgrading West Virginia Rt. 9 are to improve safety, alleviate traffic congestion and address increasing vehicle volume.
6. What is the WV Division of Highways doing to protect historical sites and environmentally sensitive areas along the proposed Rt. 9?
   The WVDOH has worked closely with local, state and federal resource agencies, as well as individual property owners, to select alignments that will either totally avoid environmental, historical and cultural resources, or will minimize and mitigate unavoidable impacts.

top of page