Midland Trail Middle School students are taking an active role in shaping the future of transportation and tourism in Southern West Virginia through a proposed overpass project near the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Students recently presented their proposal to officials from the West Virginia Department of Transportation, including Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh, outlining a plan designed to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion along U.S. Route 19 near the New River Gorge Bridge.
The proposal focuses on the intersections of U.S. 19 with Lansing-Edmond Road and Ames Heights Road, areas students identified as increasingly difficult to navigate due to rising tourism and heavy traffic. Students shared that visitation to the New River Gorge region has grown significantly over the years, increasing from roughly 500,000 annual visitors in the 1990s to nearly 2 million visitors today.
As part of the project development process, students analyzed crash data, reviewed engineering studies conducted in 2024 and 2025, and gathered feedback from local community members and stakeholders. They also collaborated with planners from the National Park Service and participated in discussions with engineers and highway officials to better understand how transportation projects are planned and implemented across the state.
According to Fayette County Schools curriculum specialist Kennedy Moore, the project reflects the students’ commitment to problem-solving, research, and community impact through real-world learning experiences.
The overpass proposal remains under consideration, with funding identified as one of the primary challenges moving forward.
Source: “Midland Trail Middle School students propose overpass project to ease congestion near New River Gorge National Park,” by Austin Simms, published April 2, 2026 on LOOTPRESS.