December 13, 2025 - The Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority reviewed a preliminary engineering study by Richmond?based ATCS that found strong transportation economic and safety benefits from completing the Coalfields Expressway (CFX).

Commissioned by VDOT in 2025 with input from the CFX Authority the study identified 24 potential funding opportunities to advance the project and concluded the corridor is well-positioned to support regional transition away from coal toward industries such as light manufacturing logistics renewable energy and IT infrastructure. The analysis included a 2045 future conditions forecast that projects sizable travel time reductions up to 40 percent between communities such as Grundy or Haysi and Wise or Abingdon and improved freight reliability linking to US 23 and US 460.

Study highlights and implications

• Mobility and safety: CFX is projected to improve regional mobility and safety while enhancing access to essential services including healthcare emergency response and workforce training.
• Freight and economic development: Forecasts show sustained truck freight demand for materials such as gravel timber and nonmetallic mineral products. The corridor could strengthen access to growth areas like Southern Gap Business Park in Buchanan County and Red Onion Industrial Park in Dickenson County. ATCS noted the corridor may be eligible for designation as a Critical Rural Freight Corridor which could unlock federal freight funding opportunities.
• Regional transition: Completing CFX would support economic diversification by improving access for employers and reducing barriers to job training and population retention.
• Project status: About five miles of CFX are open in Buchanan County with an additional two miles expected to open in 2027, largely where CFX overlays Corridor Q/US 460. The total CFX mileage in Virginia is roughly 50 miles; West Virginia’s portion is about 65 miles. Most of the remaining five segments in Virginia remain unfunded and unimproved.

During the meeting, the CFX Authority re?elected J.H. Rivers (Wise County) as chairman and Scott Mullins (Dickenson County) as vice chairman for 2026. Executive Director Jonathan Belcher thanked legislators, VDOT staff and consultants Wendy Thomas and Dan Goldfarb for their roles in the study.

Belcher also provided updates on current projects and grant efforts including:

• US 121/460 Poplar Creek Phase B paving project (Phase A completed, Phase B expected late 2027) using FY24 congressional directed spending funds with local matching funds from Buchanan County;
• US 460 Connector Phase II paving project, pending funding including a $7 million CDS request to four-lane about four miles and complete four?laning from Grundy to Pikeville KY;
• A request to the Appalachian Regional Commission to add CFX to the Appalachian Development Highway System, which ARC staff said would require an act of Congress; the Authority is working with federal legislators on draft language to pursue that option;
• A submitted grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Rural and Tribal Assistance (RTA) Pilot Program to fund additional planning and an updated strategic funding plan and economic impact analysis; and
• Consideration of tourism-related signage along the corridor after stakeholders recommended shifting a $100,000 scenic pullover planning grant toward signage development.

Belcher said the study’s findings support accelerating CFX development to attract industrial investment reduce transportation barriers and improve long-term resiliency for historically underserved communities.

Read the study presentation and materials A link to the ATCS preliminary engineering study presentation is available on the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority website.