SW Va. officials want expressway to stay in plan

BRISTOL, Va. (AP) — Southwest Virginia officials and residents are urging the state to keep the Coalfields Expressway in its six-year transportation plan.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board held a public meeting Wednesday in Bristol to share information and listen to what residents think about the plan.

The Bristol Herald Courier (http://bit.ly/1yoUnvf ) reports that about 100 people attended the meeting. Many voiced support for continued funding for the Coalfields Expressway.

The supporters included former transportation board member James Keen. He said the expressway will provide opportunity for economic development.

Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce executive director Mary Belcher tells the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (http://bit.ly/1wm7ywr ) that the chamber is urging the public to submit letters to the board supporting the expressway.

When completed, the expressway will run from Buchanan County to Raleigh County in West Virginia.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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