Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today joined Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox, West Virginia Division Administrator from the Federal Highway Administration Edward Stephen, former West Virginia University Athletic Director Oliver Luck, and state and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Coach Bill Stewart Exit and Rosie the Riveters Memorial Bridge in Morgantown.
“Three years ago, when I was here to sign the bill that gave the green light for this interchange, I recognized the expanding economic impact the University Town Centre and Monongalia County Ballpark would have in North Central West Virginia,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Since then, we have seen tremendous growth in the area. This needed and celebrated infrastructure improvement project will help ensure Morgantown continues to attract new businesses, jobs and tourism activity that will drive the local economy into the future.”
The new interchange off of Interstate 79, which provides a second entrance to access University Town Centre and Monongalia County Ballpark, opened to traffic at the conclusion of today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Exit 153 will help alleviate traffic and give motorists better access to the shopping, dining and entertainment venues in the area.
“The West Virginia Department of Transportation will continue to look for innovative partnerships as we move forward in preserving and maintaining our existing facilities as well as expanding the system to provide future economic development opportunities in West Virginia,” Secretary Mattox said.
Funding for the $22 million project was made possible by a new property tax increment financing (“Property Tax TIF”) district approved by the West Virginia Development Office in 2012. A recent study found that the University Town Centre Economic Opportunity Development District has the potential to make a nearly $1 billion annual economic impact at full capacity, and the number of projected jobs supported by 2025 is projected at nearly 9,900.
