A newly announced $1.6 million state grant will provide the final funding needed to complete a section of the Coalfields Expressway in Buchanan County, paving the way for a continuous four-lane highway from Grundy to Pikeville, Kentucky.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the funding Friday, Aug. 28. The grant, awarded through the Virginia Energy Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program, will go to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority for the Corridor Q/Route 460/Coalfields Expressway paving project.
“The AMLER funding announced by the governor is the final piece of the puzzle for this section of the Coalfields Expressway project in Buchanan County,” Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority Executive Director Jonathan Belcher said. “It will support design, construction and oversight to expand the Route 460 Connector Phase IIA within Corridor Q from two lanes with truck-climbing lanes to a four-lane highway near the Breaks Interstate Park.”
The U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase IIA is a four-mile section connecting to the Coalfields Expressway between Route 609 and Route 80 near the Kentucky state line.
The Coalfields Expressway, designated as U.S. Route 121, is intended to improve connectivity and public safety while creating new opportunities for economic growth throughout the coalfields region. When complete, the highway is expected to improve access to industrial sites, support tourism, strengthen regional transportation networks and provide safer travel routes for residents and businesses.
“The overall project has long been a priority for local leaders and state and federal officials who recognize its importance to the region’s economic future,” Belcher said.
The project previously received $7 million in fiscal 2027 state funding through the efforts of state Sen. Todd Pillion, who served as a state budget conferee; Del. Will Morefield, a member of the House Appropriations Committee; and state Sen. Travis Hackworth. The funding requests were originally submitted for General Assembly consideration by Morefield and Hackworth.
At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith and U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have supported the project and helped secure congressionally directed spending. The most recent federal allocation included $3 million in the fiscal 2026 budget.
Buchanan County also provided $1.75 million in matching funds for the current project.
Belcher said the AMLER grant was made possible because county, state and federal leaders recognized the importance of completing the four-lane highway and worked together to provide the necessary funding.
“This will now allow the entire stretch of new highway from Grundy, Va. to Pikeville, Ky. to be finished up as a four-lane highway,” Belcher said. “We are very grateful to Governor Spanberger and her Administration, as well as the Virginia Department of Energy, and all of our local, state, and federal officials who supported and went to bat for this very important project for the economic future of our region.”
Kaine said the funding will support economic development and infrastructure improvements in Southwest Virginia.
“This newly announced AMLER funding in Southwest Virginia will be a crucial boost to the region – repurposing land and fostering economic growth in the process,” Kaine said. “I will always advocate for policies and funding that support jobs and infrastructure improvements throughout the Commonwealth.”
Warner said the funding will help generate jobs and economic opportunities in the region.
“This funding is great news for Southwest Virginia to create good-paying jobs and boost economic opportunities for years to come,” Warner said. “I am grateful to see these impactful investments made in Virginia’s mining communities who have given so much to power our nation.”
Griffith said the grant will give the Buchanan County IDA the resources needed to widen the highway.
“This AMLER grant for $1.6 million will provide the Buchanan County IDA with the necessary resources to widen the Route 460 Connector Phase II within Corridor Q to a four-lane highway,” Griffith said. “Buchanan County is using AMLER funds to improve transportation infrastructure and highway access, support economic growth and create investment opportunities through increased accessibility. With new projects set to be announced later, I will continue to fight for additional AMLER opportunities that benefit Virginia’s Ninth District.”
Pillion said completing the Coalfields Expressway is important to keeping Buchanan County and the surrounding region positioned for future growth.
“Transportation infrastructure is critical to the future of Southwest Virginia and completing the Coalfields Expressway ensures that Buchanan County and the surrounding region remain positioned for future growth and development,” Pillion said. “Projects like the Coalfields Expressway are about creating opportunities for future generations, attracting new investment, supporting existing employers and connecting our communities to jobs and markets. The new AMLER funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment that exists for this project.”
Morefield said each completed section of the highway strengthens the region’s potential for growth.
“The AMLER funding announced will continue to advance the completion of the Coalfields Expressway project in Buchanan County,” Morefield said. “The CFX is a critical component to the economic future of Buchanan County and Southwest Virginia and each section of the road that is completed positions the region for growth and expansion which will benefit its citizens now and in the years to come.”
Buchanan County IDA Executive Director Craig Horn welcomed the announcement.
“We were very pleased to hear about the approval of the AMLER grant for $1.6 million to the IDA for a section of the CFX in Buchanan County,” Horn said. “The CFX is an important infrastructure project in Buchanan County and in our region and this particular project will now allow for the full section of the highway to be a four-lane from Grundy to Pikeville, Ky.”
Design work is expected to begin soon, while construction is projected to begin in late 2029.
“The funding provided by the AMLER program is the final step in ensuring Corridor Q in Buchanan County is a true four-lane highway,” said Marty Halloway, P.E., VDOT district project development engineer. “Design work is anticipated to begin soon and we plan to move toward construction in late 2029.”
The expressway authority is already planning and seeking funding for additional sections of the Coalfields Expressway, including sections near Pound and Clintwood. Planning is also underway for the Route 744 connector between Route 83 and the expressway in the Southern Gap area.
Belcher said completing the overall expressway will continue to require cooperation among local governments, state agencies, economic development organizations, elected officials and contractors.
“The successful completion of the Coalfields Expressway project in Virginia requires a strong collaborative approach involving the CFX Authority, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), state and federal legislators, the Governor’s office, planning district commissions, localities and key contractors,” Belcher said. “We are pleased to see the AMLER funding approval which continues to advance the overall expressway project.”
The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coalfields Expressway Authority in 2017 to improve transportation into, from and through Southwest Virginia, assist with regional economic development and improve highway safety.
The Coalfields Expressway is designated as U.S. Route 121 and is a congressional high-priority corridor. It is planned as a limited-access highway providing a modern transportation route through the coalfields of far Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority provides staff support to the Expressway Authority Board.
