RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Brenda Waters (276) 669-9999 bristolinfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov Michelle Earl 276-669-9901

BRIS-92 Sept. 12, 2007

Local coal companies deliver Coalfields Expressway Limited Feasibility Study to VDOT Officials

ABINGDON, Va. – Secretary Pierce R. Homer, VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern and a host of state and elected officials were on hand today to mark the completion of a Limited Feasibility Study for the Coalfields Expressway by VDOT’s private-sector partners Pioneer Group, Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources LLC.

Alpha and Pioneer, both southwestern Virginia natural resource companies, have identified possible highway alignments that consider areas of marketable coal reserves controlled by the companies in an effort to reduce the costs of building the new highway.

“Techniques used to recover the coal along the route are anticipated to significantly lower the cost of building the Coalfields Expressway, reducing the amount of public funds needed to develop this project,” Homer said.

Early estimates by the coal companies show up to 50% of the projected cost can be saved by using a “coal-synergy” solution.

"Combining road construction with mining in this part of Virginia not only provides tremendous cost savings for taxpayers and additional opportunities for economic development and expansion, it also creates less of an impact on the surroundings because it's one integrated operation rather than two," said Michael Quillen, Alpha's chairman and CEO. "The Coalfields Expressway will be one of the most scenic highways in America when it is completed, and will help a lot of rural communities in far southwestern Virginia by creating opportunities for tourism and economic development."

Now that the Limited Feasibility Study is complete, VDOT will evaluate the information submitted by the coal companies and perform an independent analysis to determine the study’s viability.

Additionally, the study results will support efforts to seek Federal Highway Administration approval for the use of federal funds on the project. It is anticipated that VDOT’s independent analysis will be complete in early 2008.

“The Coalfields Expressway is such an important project for this region,” Clyde Stacy, President of Pioneer Group, Inc., said. “The highway will offer improved safety for the traveling public, in addition to opportunities for development and much needed jobs for Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan and surrounding counties. It has been, and will be, an exciting venture to be involved in.”

The Coalfields Expressway—U.S. Route 121—is a proposed four-lane highway stretching approximately 50-miles from Pound in Wise County through Dickenson and Buchanan counties to the West Virginia state line. It will provide a modern, safe and efficient highway through the Coalfields Region of southwestern Virginia. The entire multi-state Appalachian Region anticipates a boost in commerce and tourism as a result of the Coalfields Expressway.

Designated as part of the national highway system, the new road will link Interstates 64 and 77 in West Virginia with Route 23 in Virginia, which links to interstates in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Limited Feasibility Study is being funded in part with a $2 million grant from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund. Both Alpha and Pioneer have contributed substantial additional at risk services to advance the limited feasibility study at no additional cost to the Commonwealth.

Learn more about the Coalfields Expressway: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/const-project.asp?ID=9 . (END)