West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) officials received word last night from Washington, D.C. that U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia has signed the mediation agreement that allows for the construction of Corridor H as a four-lane highway.

"Because of the judge's decision, we can proceed with construction on identified segments of Corridor H, and we will move forward aggressively and immediately toward completing Corridor H as a four-lane highway," Gov. Underwood said. "The agreement allows us to resume construction right away, and I have instructed Highways Commissioner Sam Beverage to begin construction today. At last, Corridor H will become a reality."

Last year a federal appeals court had halted further construction on the entire project until all historic preservation issues along the entire route could be resolved. The settlement, negotiated among several plaintiff groups and the state, allows construction to continue on segments of the highway while remaining issues are resolved in other areas.

"In working toward a negotiated agreement, my goal has been to move beyond litigation, into construction and on toward completion," Gov. Underwood explained. "The settlement that Judge Hogan affirmed allows us to move forward with the next phases of construction sooner, rather than later."

Commissioner Beverage said the WVDOH officials have been planning to attend a hearing with the judge in Washington, D.C. next week.

"We received word last evening that the judge did not see a need for a hearing," Commissioner Beverage said. "He read the agreement and agreed with the terms of the settlement. He signed it and filed it with the Clerk of the U.S. District Court last week."

Commissioner Beverage added that work on the 100-mile project will resume today. "Under the direction of Governor Underwood, we have been moving this project forward toward construction even while negotiations continued on the settlement. The Governor has directed me to get this project underway today, and that's exactly what we are going to do. Corridor H is now officially under way."

For more information on the Corridor H project, log on to the WVDOH's web site dedicated to the Corridor H project at www.wvcorridorh.com.

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