Route 56 is no
longer a signed WV State Primary Highway. However, parts of it remain
in the primary highway system. Originally running from the shores
of the Ohio in Ravenswood east to US 21 near Silverton, this route was
decommissioned in 1977. The western half of the route has been replaced
by a four lane WV 2, which moved from the shores of the Ohio to Interstate
77 at the same time. East of the Interstate, WV 56 survives as a
signed Secondary Route to former US now Secondary Route 21 near Silverton.
Scenes at the former Eastern Terminus of WV 56 near
Silverton
(Joseph Landis)
Both photos were taken along Secondary Route 21, former US 21. WV
2 is about a three mile drive west. At the end of County Route 56
East, there is an 'END' sign as shown below.
(Jennings Starcher)
Route 56 was shortened in the early 1970's when US 21 was truncated to
just north of Charleston. The Eastern terminus was moved back to
Interstate 77. The former terminus at I-77 (and US 33/WV 2) is shown
below.
(H.B. Elkins)
In the 1970's, WV 56 had began at this point and continued west along modern
day US 33 West/WV 2 from here to Ravenswood.
Site Navigation:
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Sources & Links:
WV 56
@ WV Highways Page ---H.B. Elkins
Landis, Joseph. 'Re: Rt. 56.' Personal e-mail, October 9, 2002.
Page Created: October 10, 2002
Last Updated: October 24, 2010
© 2002-10 William Lawson