West Virginia's U.S. Route 35 Project Employs 300 from Construction & Consulting Engineering Firms

Construction of the final nearly 15-mile section of US Route 35 in Mason and Putnam counties is currently employing 300 people from construction and consulting companies.   

At $174.4 million, the project is the second largest awarded contract in the Division of Highways’ history and its second public-private partnership.  This 14.6 mile-section will complete the US Route 35 upgrade in West Virginia and will provide a four-lane highway from I-64 at Crooked Creek in Putnam County to the Ohio River at Henderson in Mason County.

Bizzack Construction Inc., of Lexington, Kentucky was awarded the project as the prime contractor last year.  Assisting Bizzack are fourteen subcontractors, ten of which operate offices in West Virginia.  Six consulting engineering companies, which also operate offices in the state, are assisting the prime contractor. 

"The upgrading of US Route 35 has long been a top priority," says Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox. "I commend Governor Tomblin for his leadership and commitment to this project that has allowed the Division of Highways to nearly complete US Route 35 in West Virginia, to keep our construction industry strong, and to keep people employed.  I am encouraged that the prime contractor chose to utilize so many West Virginia companies which provide job opportunities for our local workforce."

The final section is expected to be complete in 2018 and paved in 2019.  Upon completion, this national freight corridor will provide for future economic development in the greater Kanawha Valley.