A map depicting plans for the Culloden Interchange.

On Page 8 of this week’s Breeze, readers will find a legal advertisement that should have been printed twenty or more years ago. The West Virginia Division of Highways is advertising that it has applied for a West Virginia National Water Pollution Control Permit. The advertisement is required because construction of the I-64 Culloden Interchange is about to begin.

The West Virginia Department of Highways purchased the necessary land for the Culloden Interchange more than 60 years ago. When plans for the construction of I-64 were unveiled in the late 1950’s, there was no provision for a Hurricane exit. The only I-64 interchange serving Teays Valley would be Exit 9 (the current Exit 39). The first eight I-64 exits were all in Cabell County with Culloden designated as Exit 8.

Hurricane businesses and Putnam politicians protested. Public meetings followed and the Culloden interchange was canceled. Hurricane Creek Road became Exit 8. All I-64 exits were renamed in the late 70’s to that of the closest mile marker.

Increased traffic proved to be too great for the Hurricane exit. Access to and from State Route 34 required widening of State Route 19 to 5-lanes in the 1990’s. Construction of a continuous right turn lane on to 34 and Lynn Street is ongoing and is slated for completion before spring.

While the new lane will help relieve Hurricane’s rush hour woes, the Culloden interchange will prove to be a lasting answer.

See the E-Edition or a print copy to view the legal advertisement.