This survey was conducted to assess the general public's opinions about the Corridor H Highway. According to the Federal Highway Administration Publication, "Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision Making," survey results are helpful in demonstrating the public's position and reaction to a plan or plan element as it is being developed. In a scientific, statistically-valid survey, answers reflect the opinions of the population as a whole. The survey results guide the agency in their efforts to address public concerns by developing public information and involvement plans.

A telephone survey was conducted June 7 through June 12, 1999, by Ryan McGinn Samples Research. The primary objective of the survey was to obtain an in-depth understanding of attitudes and opinions regarding completion of the Corridor H Highway. Respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using the CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. A total of 618 interviews were completed: 315 among residents of the counties that will be directly impacted by the highway (Upshur, Randolph, Tucker, Grant and Hardy) and 303 among the general public in West Virginia. The overall margin of error for each of the two components of the survey is ±5.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

Results show that a majority of residents surveyed statewide and in the five counties directly impacted by the project favor completion of Corridor H.

Question: "Do you, yourself, strongly favor, somewhat favor, neither favor nor oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the completion of Corridor H?"

Sixty-five percent of state residents who are aware of the project favor completion of Corridor H, and only 10% of respondents oppose completion of the project.

Question: "How would you rate the following as an important reason for completing major highway construction projects around the state such as Corridor H, the King Coal Highway, and others? Would you say it is one of the most important, very important, somewhat important, not very important, not important at all or you don't know?"

The most significant benefits of major highway construction projects perceived by West Virginia residents include: an increase in the number of high quality jobs (79%), a safer method of travel around and through the area (77%), and long-term economic development for the region (76%).

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