Dedication Celebration & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

“Clarence W. Meadows Memorial Boulevard”



Saturday, October 8
Beckley Plaza Mall
(Intersection of Meadows Memorial Boulevard and Eisenhower Drive)


Clarence W. Meadows – 22nd Governor of West Virginia
First Governor from Raleigh County

The official dedication of the Clarence Watson Meadows Memorial Boulevard was conducted Saturday, October 8 in Beckley WV

The sponsors of this event are
Raleigh County Commission
City of Beckley
Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce

Master of Ceremonies          Jay Quesenberry, Administrator, Raleigh County Commission

Invocation                          Bishop Fred T. Simms, Pastor, Heart of God Ministries

Welcome                             David Tolliver, President, Raleigh County Commission

Introduction of Guests          Jay Quesenberry, Administrator, Raleigh County Commission

Introduction of Meadows Family          Tom Sopher, Ward 1, City Councilman

Special Presentations           Mayor Rob Rappold

Special Remarks               Governor’s Office of the State of West Virginia

Special Remarks               West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin’s Office

Benediction                         Vondie Cook, Pastor, Cross Point Church of God

Ribbon Cutting         Michelle Rotellini, President, Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce

Beckley Bypass and Z-Way

The Beckley/Raleigh County Transportation Authority was formed in 2005 to develop and prioritize highway construction in Raleigh County Original members of the Authority were: Bill Baker, President; Mayor Emmett Pugh, Vice President, County Commissioner Pat Reed, Tom Cochran, Woody Duba, and Father Tom Acker, SJ

The Authority’s first priority was to develop a highway construction plan to assist with traffic flow from Shady Spring along US 19 through the Beckley Bypass to Robert C Byrd Drive Traffic congestion from Shady Spring to and around Beckley was severely congested and needed corrected The plan was completed and titled the Z-Way because of the shape of the original route Publisher Frank Wood and Editor Butch Antolini of The Register-Herald strongly endorsed the Z-Way plan and publicly advocated for the state to fund the project.

This Z-Way plan was submitted to the state, and with the assistance of Frank Wood and Butch Antolini, Governor Manchin accepted the Z-Way plan and agreed it needed to be a priority Governor Manchin had WV Highway Commissioner Paul Mattox arrange for monthly meetings with WVDOT staff and members of the local Transportation Authority.

The Transportation Authority started meeting with WVDOT Engineer Dirar Ahmad and his staff in 2007 These meetings led to the complete design of the Z-Way from Robert C Byrd South Drive through Shady Spring. The highway was designed to eliminate traffic congestion and rear end collisions as well as provide for a seamless flow of traffic from Beckley South through Shady Spring.

First priority for construction was given to completion of the Beckley Bypass to Robert C Byrd Drive on North US 19 The remaining two sections South through Shady Spring are completely designed and construction will begin in the Spring of 2023 These projects are:

1 New road extending the Beckley Bypass to US 19 in Beaver and

2 Widening of US 19 to three lanes through Shady Spring

The success of this Z-Way project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when local governments work together and include local community leaders and organizations.

Written by Bill Baker

Law Enforcement, Fire Department And Local Businesses

We always honor and admire our local businesses and governments who directly or indirectly help secure or sponsor these events.  All parties have made it possible for this historical event to occur.  In particular, thanks go to the Harvey Family – Tom, Bobbi and Gene for providing the beautiful space to conduct our dedication at the Beckley Plaza Mall which is located at the entrance to the Meadows Boulevard.  The sponsors of this event are the Raleigh County Commission, the City of Beckley and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.

Special thanks also to the staff of the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center for setting-up and serving a wonderful and delicious Dedication Ceremony meal for everyone to enjoy during the celebration.

Read more about the Dedication Ceremonies here for The Register-Herald Newspaper

Read more about the “Clarence W. Meadows Memorial Boulevard”
from the Register-Herald

Read more about “Clarence W. Meadows Memorial Boulevard” from Lootpress

photo – Lootpress