Tucker County Residents Urge WV Officials to Reroute Corridor H

Petition with over 3,000 signatures calls for moving highway to avoid local towns and Blackwater Canyon

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:41pm

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Residents from Tucker County, West Virginia, have delivered a petition with more than 3,000 signatures to Governor Patrick Morrisey's office, urging him to consider a different route for a 9-mile section of the Corridor H highway project that would run between Parsons and Davis. The current proposed route is expected to negatively impact local businesses, neighborhoods, and the scenic Blackwater Canyon area.

Why it matters

The Corridor H highway project has been in the works for decades, but local residents are now voicing concerns that the current route will disrupt the outdoor tourism economy they have worked to build in Tucker County. There are also worries that the highway could exacerbate the impacts of a proposed power plant and data center complex in the area, further altering the region's natural character.

The details

The 9-mile section of Corridor H between Parsons and Davis is one of the last remaining parts of the highway to be built. Residents want to see the route moved further north, which would circumvent local towns and leave the Blackwater Canyon undisturbed. Instead of building entirely new sections of road, advocates suggest widening U.S. Route 219 to accommodate increased traffic. They argue this would be a cheaper and more efficient solution.

  • In December 2026, the West Virginia Department of Highways said right-of-way acquisition for the current Corridor H route was scheduled to begin in fall 2028.
  • Construction on the road portion is slated to start in early 2031, with the goal of being open for traffic in late 2034.

The players

Patrick Morrisey

The Governor of West Virginia, who residents hope can use his position to bring attention to the matter and call for changes to the Corridor H route.

Matt Marcus

The manager of Blackwater Bikes in Davis, West Virginia, who argues the current Corridor H plan would lead to traffic bottlenecks and negatively impact the region's outdoor tourism economy.

Judy Rodd

The executive director of Friends of Blackwater Canyon, who says residents have spent decades turning Tucker County into an outdoor tourism destination that could be threatened by the Corridor H highway.

Michael Goss

Whose family owns Sirriani's Cafe in downtown Davis, and who says local businesses will suffer if Corridor H is built as planned, as people come to the area to enjoy nature, not roads and car exhaust.

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What they’re saying

“It's common sense, really. It would be cheaper that way, it would be better for traffic flow. If there are separate exits for Thomas and Davis, we could avoid the bottlenecks that are sure to occur under current plan.”

— Matt Marcus, Manager of Blackwater Bikes

“We just don't need it and we don't want it. Our businesses will suffer. People don't come here to see roads and smell car exhaust — they come here to be outdoors, in nature and away from all of that.”

— Michael Goss, Owner of Sirriani's Cafe

“He could be a hero in this, he could stand up for West Virginia and for Tucker County. (Morrisey) moved here from New Jersey and this is his home now. He should care about preserving the nature that makes this state so beautiful.”

— Matt Marcus, Manager of Blackwater Bikes

What’s next

Governor Morrisey is expected to review the petition and consider the residents' concerns about the Corridor H route. If he is receptive to their proposal, he could use his influence to push for a reroute of the highway to avoid local towns and the Blackwater Canyon area.

The takeaway

The debate over Corridor H highlights the tension between economic development and preserving the natural beauty and outdoor recreation that has become central to Tucker County's identity. Residents are determined to find a solution that protects their community's character and tourism-based economy, even as the state moves forward with the long-planned highway project.