Gary Howell, Paul Mattox Discuss Corridor H on "Hannity"

Fox's Hannity program targeted Corridor H on Thursday night as the latest example of unnecessary pork barrel spending. The program tried to attack both the spending as well as the project itself.



In attacking Corridor H, Fox News fell short of the mark. They correctly pointed out the sparsity of population without mentioning the industry in and around Moorefield. While it is true that the four lane will not link up with Interstate 66 at Front Royal, the terminus will be only several miles from Interstate 81.

Paul Mattox, representing the West Virginia Department of Transportation, described the economic development possibilities as well as the fact that Corridor H forms part of the Washington-Baltimore evacuation plan. Anyone who has traveled Interstates 95, 70, and 81 during the holidays understands that these are not sufficient for removing the entire metropolitan area from danger. Corridor H and US 50 must be part of the plan. Even more importantly, it was never demonstrated how the road will provide a more direct and efficient link between Washington and cities such as Louisville, Columbus, Cincinnati, and St. Louis while reducing traffic on overburdened Interstate 70.

Gary Howell explained, however, that an "addiction to earmarks" prevents West Virginians form finding more cost effective ways to fund highways. South Carolina used long term bonds to construct highways on their own, saving taxpayers money because inflation will devalue the debt. This innovative approach, if utilized by states more often, could break the cycle of dependency on the federal government while saving money. Howell supports Corridor H for economic development as well as its national and regional utility, but took issue with the use of earmarks.