Robert Byrd's "Road to Nowhere"

[SWriverstone]

This might be of interest to some folks here...

It's now easier than ever to quickly ride between the Shenandoah Valley/I-81 corridor in VA and the Allegheny Highlands of WV thanks to the late Robert C. Byrd's Appalachian Highway System, and in particular, the new 4-lane Rt.55—dubbed "The Road to Nowhere" by opponents of pork-barrel spending.

I'm not a fan of pork-barrel spending...but I have mixed feelings about this one, because it makes Rt.55 the fastest way to get to the Canaan Valley area from the I-81 corridor (and other points east).

Rt.50 used to be the main way to get deep into WV and back out again (and it still offers excellent twisties)...but the new 4-lane Rt.55 is now completed well beyond Moorefield, WV, and it makes the trip much faster than taking Rt.50 if you just need to get there fast (to ride all the twisty goodness out there) and get home again fast.

The section from just past Wardensville to Moorefield has been open for a year or more...but I didn't know 'til this past weekend that the next section beyond Moorefield is now open too.

This new highway is almost laughable—it's humongous, runs through spectacular scenery, over eye-popping bridges spanning the Lost River...and is totally devoid of traffic. (Note the lack of cars in the pics below—that's what it's looked like every time I've ridden it!) I've driven/ridden it many times and felt like I was in a post-apocalyptic movie—just me and endless, empty 4-lane highway ahead and behind.  

This is great for those of us wanting to get to Canaan Valley in a hurry...but I'm also saddened because when—or if—this highway is completed (for example, if it goes west as far as I-79 and goes somewhere as opposed to nowhere)...it may well open the floodgates for people on both sides of the Appalachians (which is of course what Byrd hoped for).

But for now, it remains more-or-less a private interstate for anyone wanting to get to the wild lands and twisty roads of the Allegheny Highlands and Monongahela National Forest. And as 4-lane highways go, the scenery along this one is SPECTACULAR. Seriously—the best scenery you'll ever see in the east from the superslab!

And let's just say speed enforcement on this new stretch is...umm...nonexistent, so you can make excellent time. And if you've been itching to see what your bike can really do, there is no better place than this totally empty 4-lane highway to do it. Disclaimer: I am in no way advocating the violation of any laws.

And finally, note that the Old Rt.55 is an excellent 2-lane twisty road to ride...and it's largely empty these days, since all the traffic that used to take the 2-lane road now takes the megahighway instead. (Though the megahighway seems to swallow it up without a trace...)

Here are a couple of pics and a Google map showing the currently completed 4-lane section...






View New Rt.55 to Canaan Valley in a larger map

Scott

[FiremanBob]

It sounds like you're a WV cop baiting the trap...

[County Tar]

Byrd had his own Amtrak route to get him home on weekends.  Its only fair that he should have a highway as well.  

And our "representatives" wonder why we have become so cynical....

[SWriverstone]

It sounds like you're a WV cop baiting the trap...

 
Not at all! I'm just amazed at how desolate this brand-new highway is every time I ride or drive it (not to mention the amazing scenery). I'd say it's actually a destination road at least once if you haven't ridden it—the current 4-lane section is about 37 miles.

Scott

[DosEquis00]

Last time I was on the highway I was worried I missed some sort of hurricane warning because the road was empty.  

[Scratch33]

It sounds like you're a WV cop baiting the trap...

Actually, VIRGINIA Route 55 is notorious for a cop who hates motorcycles.

I've ridden WV55 a few times, and it is eerie seeing virtually no other traffic.

[Jack Moonshine]

Rode old Rt.55 this past summer. Absolutely had the road to ourselves. The truck traffic that used to occasionally clog the works is now on the slab. Great ride, highly recommended.

[Jim M.]

 I just happened on it last summer. I had no idea it was there as I was expecting old Rt.55. Yeah, the highway was big and desolate. Made great time though.  

[SLK50]

   A co-worker once said, "The best thing to come out of Virginia...

 was the road to West Virginia".  

[R Doug]

   A co-worker once said, "The best thing to come out of Virginia...

 was the road to West Virginia".  

 


 

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I ride RT 55 quite often as well and I can attest as well that you are on the road with very little traffic.  It certainly is a nice ride.

[mugwump58]

"...when—or if—this highway is completed (for example, if it goes west as far as I-79 and goes somewhere as opposed to nowhere)...it may well open the floodgates for people on both sides of the Appalachians (which is of course what Byrd hoped for).".

Yeah that could stimulate/enable commerce, we can't have any of that.

Really posted here so I can follow and hopefully remember to try this out sometime in the future, looks nice.

[BigBeavk]

First time I road it we could not believe how empty it was. Then we saw a sign for the scenic over look. Took the next turn and found a football field sized asphalt parking lot with one out house down at the other end.
Biggest waste of tax dollars I've seen. But I guess if you a stunta you could have some serious practice time on that parking lot/scenic overlook.
 

[SWriverstone]

First time I road it we could not believe how empty it was. Then we saw a sign for the scenic over look. Took the next turn and found a football field sized asphalt parking lot with one out house down at the other end.
Biggest waste of tax dollars I've seen. But I guess if you a stunta you could have some serious practice time on that parking lot/scenic overlook.
 

Yes! I know the huge empty lot you're talking about! It is truly bizarre...and though it's a long way to go, it would be an AWESOME place to set up a crazy-huge "cone course" for skills practice, LOL.

There actually is a trail (beyond the porta-john) that goes up to the top of a hill...but it's frankly a random overlook that still doesn't make sense, since there are many other better views along the highway...

Yeah that could stimulate/enable commerce, we can't have any of that.

Well I'm not opposed to stimulating/enabling commerce...but we've seen many, many times how "commerce" and "beautiful, natural wild areas" generally don't go together. I mean, if the commerce were carefully—and tastefully—controlled, I'm all for it. I'd just hate to see Canaan Valley become another Gatlinburg, Tennessee.   And as someone who lives in the "Land of No Zoning Whatsoever" that is West Virginia...I doubt any commerce and growth would be carefully and tastefully controlled...

Scott

[Oilhed]

does this "interstate" have a dedicated exit on I-81?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Yes! I know the huge empty lot you're talking about! It is truly bizarre...and though it's a long way to go, it would be an AWESOME place to set up a crazy-huge "cone course" for skills practice, LOL.

The next time the National is in Canaan Valley, instead of a "ride" we can set up a cone-running skillz contest!!  

[SWriverstone]

does this "interstate" have a dedicated exit on I-81?

Yes and no...there is an exit for Rt.55 off I-81 (Exit 296), but at that point Rt.55 is just 2-lanes. The megahighway begins to the west, just beyond Wardensville, WV. (But the initial 2-lane stretch is scenic and fast with plenty of passing opportunities.)

The next time the National is in Canaan Valley, instead of a "ride" we can set up a cone-running skillz contest!

That would be AWESOMZ! :-D

Scott

[mugwump58]

"Well I'm not opposed to stimulating/enabling commerce...but we've seen many, many times how "commerce" and "beautiful, natural wild areas" generally don't go together. I mean, if the commerce were carefully—and tastefully—controlled, I'm all for it. I'd just hate to see Canaan Valley become another Gatlinburg, Tennessee.   And as someone who lives in the "Land of No Zoning Whatsoever" that is West Virginia...I doubt any commerce and growth would be carefully and tastefully controlled...

Scott"

Understood. We roll a little different here. Right now we've got the hydrofrackers on hold.... looks like for good reason too.

[nnjhawk02]

Understood. We roll a little different here. Right now we've got the hydrofrackers on hold.... looks like for good reason too.

I saw the movie too   http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

Keep drilling & show us how U too can light ur kitchen sinks faucet on fire

[vulcanbill]

So, between 81 and where it becomes 4 lanes, what's the scene like?  I can't remember.  Thinking about dragging the trailer out there since camping is available in the winter.  But I don't want to end up in some crazy tiny town trying to navigate 50plus feet of vehicle around parked cars in 90 degree tight turns.  I was just thinking 70/68 out to 219 and down but I like the sound of this.  I forgot all about it.  

[vulcanbill]

Thread revival...

Just got home from Canaan Valley Resort SP.  The road is actually designated Route 48 and it is, in fact, basically empty.  We were on it early on a Saturday afternoon and saw a fraction of the cars that one would expect.  When we got on it at the current "end" of the road near WV 42, it was completely empty minus a few work vehicles.  We stayed on it till it turned into 55 and followed it all the way to 81 even though that was essentially south of where we wanted to go.  But now we know.  Once completed, this will be a fast track to Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Parks and I look forward to it.  While I wouldn't much recommend it on the motorcycles, it was ideal for pulling the trailer.  Good stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_48

[MyOwnRocket]

Ah yes; Corridor H.  I have been on that road several times and yes; never any traffic and great route if you want to make time west or east.  This is also the road that will serve as the evacuation route for the megalopolis that is Washington D.C. and northern VA.  Unfortunately the planners failed to take into account the lack of services (water, food, and lodging) in that area of West Virginia to support the hundreds of thousands of people that would be evacuating the megalopolis (if ever actually needs to be done).