Transportation Studies

RIC MPO Traffic Studies

The Regional Intergovernmental Council Metropolitan Planning Organization (RIC MPO) has a strong history of using data-driven analysis to improve safety and mobility across Kanawha and Putnam counties. System-wide crash data is regularly reviewed, and identified hotspot locations are studied in depth to guide targeted safety improvements.

In June 2023, the RIC Policy Board adopted the RIC Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP), which formalized the MPO’s commitment to annual hotspot studies and established a framework for ongoing traffic safety initiatives.

Beyond safety analysis, the RIC MPO provides a full spectrum of transportation planning and design support for the region. The MPO can conduct site studies, support project plans and specifications (PS&E), and perform land use, parking, and multimodal access analyses. These efforts help communities plan and implement projects that improve connectivity, enhance transit and active transportation options, and integrate transportation investments with local growth and development strategies.

By combining rigorous data analysis, technical expertise, and collaboration with local partners, the RIC MPO ensures that transportation projects are not only safe and efficient but also strategically aligned with the long-term goals of the region.

Current Transportation Projects

The RIC Transportation Team has the following projects currently in progress.

2025-2026 Corridor Safety Studies.

Description: This project will evaluate two corridors for vehicle crash and pedestrian safety improvements. Final documents will be provided to WV DOH and the respective towns with various mitigation recommendations for future implementation.
Locations: Fairlawn Ave, Dunbar, 10th Street to WVSU Main Street, Hurricane, Midland Trail to US60
Consultant: Burgess and Niple

Active Transportation Plan 2027

Description: This project will update the 2022 Kanawha-Putnam Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The Plan will look at current infrastructure and safety data. Gaps and needs factoring in newer developments, and perform a feasibility study on a regional Bike Share program.
Locations: Throughout Kanawha and Putnam Counties.
Consultant: Burgess & Niple

Comprehensive Planning

Description: The Transportation Team is working with our local communities to create Comprehensive Plans for several communities. These Plans are WV Code Section 8A compliant and will use public engagement to help the Town’s plan future development patterns.
Locations: Clendenin, Glasgow, Marmet
Consultant: In-House Transportation Team

Title VI Plan

Description: Cedar Grove, with grant writing support from the RIC Transportation Team, secured a Planning BUILD Grant from the US DOT to create a systemic plan for road maintenance and upkeep. This grant will create engineering drawings to create shovel ready projects to update the town’s street network, sidewalk network and water drainage. It will also create an pavement monitoring and asset management and maintenance plan.
Locations: Cedar Grove
Consultant: TBD

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant

Description: RIC was recently awarded a SS4A grant from US DOT. This grant will help to fund our safety studies program for the next several years. In addition, in partnership with the City of St. Albans, the RIC Transportation Team will perform safety demonstration projects to determine the efficacy of several speed reduction options.
Locations: Studies - Kanawha and Putnam Counties
Demonstration: St. Albans
Consultant: TBD

Transportation Studies

These studies include safety analysis and recommendations as well as plans to improve a location through connectivity improvements and streetscapes.

Regional Partner Projects

The RIC MPO has a goal of advancing studies and plans into projects. This section includes links to developing, active or recently completed Transportation Projects in the region.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION

Capitol Connector - Kanawha Boulevard - Charleston
Lead Agency - City of Charleston
Project Page: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0a9cb0651c484a7eb4441ef6e0f49d55

I-64 Fort Hill Truss Bridget - Eugene Carter Bridget Rehabilitation Project
Lead Agency - WV Division of Highways
Project Page: https://i64forthillbridge.com/

IN-PROGRESS

Cross Lanes Widening – WV 622 – Cross Lanes
Lead Agency - WV Division of Highways
Project Page: https://crosslaneswidening.com/

COMPLETED

I-64 Nitro – Saint Albans Improvement Project
Lead Agency - WV Division of Highways
Status - Six-lane expansion complete to Route 34, Rebuild of the Donald M Legg Memorial Bridge (Eastbound) Complete, Construction of the Nitro World War 1 Memorial Bridget (Westbound) Complete.

Jefferson Road Improvement Project – WV 601 – South Charleston
Lead Agency - WV Division of Highways
Project Page: https://jeffersonroadwv.com/

UPCOMING

Federal Aid Non-State Paving Pilot Program
Charleston - Summer 2026s
Saint Albans - Summer 2026

Get in Touch

Regional Intergovernmental Council
Address: 315 D Street,
South Charleston, WV 25303