BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Most of the West Virginia Turnpike is expected to be a smoother ride within the next decade as more than $180 million worth of improvements are completed.
Sixty percent of the 88-mile toll highway between Charleston and Princeton is now considered "fair to poor.''
Consulting engineer Randy Epperly says 90 percent of the turnpike should improve to "good'' in nine to 10 years.
Epperly told a committee of the West Virginia Parkways Authority on Thursday that the turnpike needs $167 million worth of improvements. That's down from $183 million a year ago when the overhaul effort began.
Work is expected to start soon on a paving project north of the Beckley exit.