Accident and traffic data collection for the proposed multi-faceted Z-Way roads project has been completed, according to a state Division of Highways official.

“The effort for collecting the accident and traffic data has been completed for Phase 1,” said Jim Sothen, deputy state highway engineer. “Additional data collection is ongoing with the consultant.”

Wilbur Smith & Associates is the consultant hired by the DOH to perform the scope of services for the proposed project.

“Wilbur Smith has been given notice to proceed and they are currently working on the project,” Sothen said. “The project was divided into two phases, with Phase 1 to be completed in fall of 2008 and Phase 2 to be completed in the summer of 2009.”

Sothen says socio-economic data is currently being developed.

“A meeting has been scheduled between the WVDOH and the consultant the week of June 9 to review evaluation criteria and alternatives,” he added.

Sothen says what his agency expects to have at the end of Phase 1 is a preferred alternative.

“Phase 1 is the collection of a lot of data, and evaluating that data to come up with a preferred alternative,” he explained. “We currently are on schedule with Phase 1.”

Earlier this year, Beckley-Raleigh County Transportation Authority officials voiced their frustration and concerns to DOH officials over delays in beginning the study.

Phase 1 of the study includes an update of land use, traffic volumes and evaluation of the links in the road plan, Sothen said.

Phase 2 is the design study and cost estimate of the entire project, he added.

Sothen said the consultant must provide a timeline for the study once the final contracts are signed.

However, he added that even if the study is done, the state has no money to construct a major road project like Z-Way.

“We are working with the Legislature to see how we can construct major projects like this one,” he said. “There is a lot of money being spent on studies, but very little construction is taking place.”

Authority members stressed the need for the Z-Way project, which they say would help alleviate the traffic bottleneck on Eisenhower Drive, along with similar problems along U.S. 19, W.Va. 3 and W.Va. 307 in the Beaver-Daniels-Shady Spring area, as well as other traffic concerns involving Raleigh County Memorial Airport.

Authority members claimed consultants who put together the state’s six-year highways plan did not properly evaluate Raleigh County and the Z-Way project.

Sothen said the state considers growth, need, demand and a few other factors when putting together the six-year plan. He said in compiling the six-year plan the idea was to identify the greatest needs. Attention was focused on three projects, according to Sothen, which included Corridor H, U.S. 35 and W.Va. 9 in the Eastern Panhandle.

“We are only doing work that is absolutely necessary,” he said.

Authority members pointed to the fact those projects are in the northern part of the state. They added that the state’s 3rd Congressional District pays more than half of the state’s severance taxes, but only receives about 20 percent of the state’s highway dollars. They also noted the other two congressional districts receive $2 in highway funding for each dollar paid in severance taxes.

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