Published: July 19, 2008 10:46 pm         

The light is brighter

Z-Way project is finally building momentum

No, that light flickering at the end of the tunnel is not a train; it actually, finally appears to be the long-awaited Z-Way road project.

Last week it was learned that the state-hired engineering consulting firm studying the Z-Way has completed data-gathering as it relates to traffic analysis and other Phase 1 work. They are now moving forward on a schedule where they will be providing suggested build options and preliminary cost estimates sometime later this year.

That’s good news, and it’s encouraging even though it has taken much too long to get to this point.

Then on Friday, Gov. Joe Manchin was in town to meet with a group of business leaders and he got the message once again as to just how important this access plan is for the future of our area.

Manchin, as he has in the past, reiterated that the state would provide its corresponding match in dollars once federal monies were designated for the Z-Way. And while the project is not yet on the state’s highest priority list for new construction, it could be in the not too distant future after funds are committed from the federal government.

Our state’s congressional leaders, especially Raleigh County’s own Sen. Robert C. Byrd and Congressman Nick J. Rahall, are keenly aware of what the Z-Way means to us and once the needed dollar figures are put out there we are certain they will be moving quickly to earmark appropriations.

This is the first time we’ve actually got the feeling that real progress is being made.

However, we can’t let up now; if anything, our voice needs to be stronger. Our elected legislators need to be more proactive and talking it up to their peers from across the state.

It is a long, arduous process and it’s far from over. But the wind is shifting in the right direction.

So join us as we keep beating the drum for a better southern West Virginia.