West Virginia Route 972
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by WVDOH | ||||
| Length: | 2.19 mi[1] (3.52 km) | |||
| Existed: | 1972 – present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end: |
 US 50 near New Creek | |||
| North end: |
 US 220 near New Creek | |||
| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Mineral | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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West Virginia Route 972 is a short north–south state highway in Mineral County, West Virginia. The route connects U.S. Route 220 to U.S. Route 50 in the New Creek Valley. New Creek, West Virginia, the only town on the route, is located midway between US 50 and US 220. Route 972 is the highest numbered road in the state of West Virginia. Prior to 1972, WV 972 was part of US 220. In 1972, US 220 was moved to its present alignment east of New Creek.
Route description
Route 972 begins at the New Creek Wye in the community of Claysville, West Virginia at an intersection with U.S. Route 50. The highway progresses to the northeast, crossing through residences to the west and forests to the east, crossing Del Signore Farm Road and passing the New Creek School. Route 972 continues through the residences along the nearby mountainside, entering the community of New Creek after an intersection with Kings Run Road. The highway continues northward through New Creek, passing through the downtown farmland and continuing its northeastern trek through the mountainside. As Route 972 curves to the north, it passes through downtown New Creek's large set of residences before intersecting with Meadowlark Acre Road and terminating at an intersection with U.S. Route 220 (Cut-Off Road).[2]
Planned Decommissioning
Route 972 is planned to be decommissioned and the route will become WV 93.[3] This is expected to occur with the completion of US 48 into the New Creek Valley in 2013.
History
Route 972 is a former alignment of U.S. Route 220[4] prior to the building of the New Creek Cut-Off, constructed through Keyser before 1943 through the New Creek Valley.[5]
The bridge over New Creek on U.S. Route 50 at the New Creek Wye was given a weight restriction from tractor-trailers and as a result, Route 972 is currently being utilized to reach U.S. Route 220 rather than through the Cut-Off.[6]
Major intersections
The entire route is in Mineral County.
| Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Creek | 0.00 | 0.00 | US 50 – Grafton, Romney | ||
| 2.19 | 3.52 | US 220 – Keyser, Romney, Moorefield | |||
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
References
- 1 2 "Complete Routes" (ESRI Shapefile). West Virginia Department of Highways. 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ↑ Microsoft; Nokia (May 10, 2010). "Overview map of West Virginia Route 972" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ↑ US 50 Association, http://us50association.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html. Retrieved January 2007
- ↑ "Traffic Engineering Directive – 220" (PDF). West Virginia Department of Transportation. October 1, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ↑ Woodward, Herbert Preston (1943). Devonian system of West Virginia 15. West Virginia Geological Survey.
- ↑ "DOH Changes Restrictions on Four County Bridges" (Press release). West Virginia Department of Transportation. March 9, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2010.