LEBANON, VA – (JUNE 30, 2026) – Seven million in funding to continue construction on a connector segment of the Coalfields Expressway in Buchanan County, VA, was approved in the Virginia state budget finalized Monday in Richmond, VA.

The Coalfields Expressway, designated as U.S. Rt. 121, is designed to improve connectivity, enhance public safety and create new opportunities for economic growth throughout the coalfield region. When complete, the new highway will improve access to industrial sites, support tourism, strengthen regional transportation networks and provide safer travel routes for residents and businesses.

“We are extremely grateful to Delegate Will Morefield and Senator Travis Hackworth for submitting the $7 million request for FY27 state funding for the Coalfields Expressway project and to Senator Todd Pillion for securing that $7 million as a state budget conferee,” said Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority Executive Director Jonathan Belcher, who also serves as the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority executive director/general counsel.

“Sen. Pillion’s work as a budget conferee and Del. Morefield’s role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee helped ensure Southwest Virginia had a voice in the room when budget decisions were being made. We also appreciate the support of all our state legislators who supported it.”

Belcher noted the project is possible because all three levels of government (county, state and federal) recognized the importance of the four-lane to the region and stepped up to provide the funding. Buchanan County provided match funding of $1.75 million and is also seeking Virginia Department of Transportation revenue sharing funds for the project.

“This project has long been a priority for local leaders and state officials who recognize its importance to the region’s economic future,” Belcher said.

He also expressed his appreciation to Congressman Morgan Griffith, Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine for $3 million in federal CDS funds approved in the FY26 federal budget, as well as for allocations of funding for the expressway project in prior years.

The state funding just approved will be used to add two lanes to the existing two lanes on the U.S. 460 Connector Phase IIA segment which is a four-mile section near the Breaks Interstate Park in Buchanan County, making it a four-lane road.

“Once that section is widened to a four-lane, it will be four lanes all the way from Grundy to Pikeville, KY,” Belcher said. “We felt it was important to get it all four-laned now, while the rest of that project is finishing up with the bridge at Grundy, rather than face the difficult task of raising funding and doing it years later.”

The funding builds upon previous local, state and federal investments that have advanced construction of the expressway and reflects ongoing bipartisan support for infrastructure improvements in Southwest Virginia, Belcher said.

He also noted that concurrently with the work to secure funding for the four-mile section in Buchanan County, the expressway authority has been working to secure federal funding for improvements to Route 23 Business and Route 83 in Pound, VA, as well as for Rt. 83 from Pound to Clintwood, VA.

Two U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant applications totaling some $30 million advancing priority safety and connectivity improvements for Rt. 23 and Rt. 83 sections related to the project in Wise and Dickenson counties were filed in February 2026.

“We expect to hear a decision on that funding in the coming days, which hopefully will be favorable,” Belcher said. “We continue to look for all opportunities to advance the CFX and Rt. 83 corridors in Wise, Dickenson and Buchanan counties for the future of our region.”

About the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority:   The Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority was formed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017 to improve transportation into, from, within and through Southwest Virginia; to assist in regional economic development; and to generally enhance highway safety in the affected localities of Southwest Virginia.  The Coalfields Expressway, designated as U.S. Route 121 and a Congressional High Priority Corridor, is a proposed limited-access highway to provide a modern, safe and efficient transportation artery through the coalfields region of far Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia.  The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority provides staff support to the authority board. www.vceda.us/cfxauthority.