Representatives from the West Virginia Department of transportation were joined by state and national leaders Friday to break ground on the newest section of West Virginia Route 9.  West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin joined Senator Robert C. Byrd, Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito and State Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox at the Washington High School auditorium to celebrate the construction of a 1.23 mile section of the high way running from the proposed Shenandoah Bridge to the Virginia State Line.  The project is being funded with more than $16 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The ceremony capped a week of milestones for Senator Byrd.  Wednesday the Senator was recognized in Washington, D.C. as the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. History.  That same day in Charleston leaders from the West Virginia Legislature declared November 18^th Robert C. Byrd Day.  And Friday was Senator Byrd’s 92^nd Birthday.

After a delay the ceremony got under way and began with an invocation and the singing of the National Anthem by one of Washington High School’s choirs, the Washington Cameratta.  Remarks from Senator Jay Rockefeller, who was unable to attend, were read.  Next Tom Smith with the West Virginia Division of the Federal Highway Administration spoke.  He said the people of West Virginia and the West Virginia DOT have created a strong partnership that is a model for how state and federal government should work together.

Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito commended the Senator for his good works and the progress he has helped create in West Virginia.  She said that although she did not vote for the stimulus herself, she did feel that projects such as Route 9 were truly stimulating the economy and would be part of pulling the nation out of these troubling economic times.

Secretary Mattox took the stage next to talk about the continuing progress being made on Route 9.  He said the world and the Eastern panhandle have changed since the original road was designed in 1930.  He said the upgrade to a four lane divided high way is the inevitable and necessary for the region.

Governor Manchin followed Secretary Mattox and started by honoring Senator Byrd on his birthday by describing the scene on Wednesday when he joined state leaders in marking November 18^th as Robert C. Byrd Day in West Virginia.  Manchin spoke about the long process of getting a transportation plan in place and how Route 9 was one of the top priorities when the final draft was complete.

Finally, West Virginia’s Senator Robert C. Byrd spoke to the crowd.  He touted his accomplishments in obtaining around $2 billion for roads in the mountain state and credited citizens and those aroudn him.  He also pointed to the work done by Governor Joe Manchin.  Byrd said no one has been more vigilant in helping West Virginia in this area than Manchin, who he said made the decision to direct the American Recovery funds to Route 9. 

A special gold shovel allowed all officials to take part in the ceremony. (Click here for Video)

Members of the audience joined people on the stage in singing happy birthday to the senator after his speech.  Byrd stood from his wheel chair briefly to greet the audience and show his gratitude for their support.  Byrd himself helped close the event by singing “The battle Hymn of the Republic” with the choir. (Click Here for Video)

Categories: Local News
Tags: Byrd, Capito, DOT, economy, Jefferson County, manchin, Mattox, Route 9, Stimulus, Transportation