Transportation Studies

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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.

2026-2027 Putnam County Studies

Description: The Studies seek to enhance transportation safety, congestion and community place making in Putnam County.

Hurricane Main Street Improvement Study - This study, supported by the City of Hurricane, will build on recommendations from the 2026 Safety Study to enhance the area of Main Street connected to Downtown Hurricane's commercial district.
Location: Hurricane; Consultant: Burgess & Niple
I-64/WV34 Safety and Congestion Improvement study
This study will re-examine the Exit 34 Teays Valley interchange, Great Teays Boulevard, and the intersection of Teays Valley Road and Kroger. Due to continued development in the area interchange alternatives will be examined to increase safety and reduce congestion and improve freight access at this interchange. Previous recommendations for Great Teays (WV34) will be reviewed and enhanced as needed. In addition, the intersection of Teays Valley Road to access the local Kroger will be examined for upgrades.
Consultant: Mead & Hunt

2025-2026 Corridor Safety Studies

Description: These projects support the goals of improving the Charleston metro area through safe transportation and improved land use developments.
Patrick Street PEL Study - This study, performed with support from the City of Charleston, will examine the Patrick Street area to improve safe, community building connectivity enhancements to the road, sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure in the area. The study will coordinate with WV Division of Highways projects regarding Vulnerable Road Users and the replacement of the Patrick Street Bridge.
Consultant: Michael Baker International, Mead & Hunt.
West Washington Street Study - This study, supported by Charleston Urban Works and Charleston Urban Renewal Authority, will examine and make recommendations for improvements along West Washington Street from Pennsylvania Ave to Patrick Street in transportation safety, land use, and economic development opportunities. This study will build on recent case studies on the Elk City area.
Consultant: GAI Consultants.
Bigley Ave Corridor Study - This study, supported by the Bigley Avenue Economic Development Foundation, will create a corridor comprehensive Plan for the Bigley Ave commercial district on the near West Side of Charleston.
Consultant: RIC Transportation Team

Transit & Active Transportation Projects

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
Financing Study: This study will review successful Transit operations and capital financing initiatives around North America and compare them to what is allowed under West Virginia Code, recommending options and code changes to improve transit service outcomes.
Consultant: GAI Consultants

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: Dunbar, Saint Albans.
Consultant: In-House Transportation Team

Cedar Grove VITAL Project

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

Charleston Municipal Bike Plan

Description: The project will update the 2016 Charleston Bike Plan and conform with RIC's Active Transportation Plan. This Charleston focused bike plan will examine the current bike infrastructure within the City of Charleston, develop recommendations for new opportunities, with a focus on enhancing connectivity to the Capitol Connector and other regional infrastructure, and provide planning level designs for high priority locations.
Locations: City of Charleston
Consultants: Burgess and Niple (planning & prioritization) and GAI Consultants (design.)

Rural & Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Grant

Description: RIC was awarded a RTA grant from the Build America Bureau to develop a plan for a Kanawha County Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from Saint Albans to Kanawha City. In addition to the BRT recommendations, RIC will also determine locations and development needs for several Transit Oriented Development nodes to plan realistic options to maximize potential investments in transit service in the Kanawha Valley.
Location: Kanawha County Metro area
Consultant: TBD

Transportation Studies

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

2026

2025

2024

2022

2020

2016

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 Bridge - Eugene Carter Bridge 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 Bridge (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 2026

Saint Albans: Summer 2026

Get in Touch

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

Call: 304.744.4258

Mail: mail@wvregion3.org