West Virginia Closes U.S. 35 Southbound Fast Lane
Crews will repave a 1.2-mile stretch of U.S. 35 in Putnam County starting Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Car Maintenance
The West Virginia Department of Transportation will close the southbound fast lane of U.S. 35 for repaving beginning Thursday, November 5, 2026. The closure covers a 1.2-mile stretch between Hurricane Creek Road and the Five and Twenty Mile Bridge in Putnam County.
Why it matters
The repaving smooths out a rough section of pavement, and crews are working on northbound and southbound lanes simultaneously. Drivers in the area should expect reduced speeds of 50 mph through the construction zone.
The construction zone covers 1.2 miles of U.S. 35 with speeds reduced to 50 mph. Phase one of the project is expected to be finished in December 2026.
The players
West Virginia Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for maintaining and building the state's highway network, including U.S. 35 in Putnam County.
The details
Crews began repaving the northbound lanes on October 26, 2026, and are working on both directions at once. The southbound fast lane closure is part of the broader effort to address several rough sections of pavement along the route.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Crews began repaving the northbound lanes of U.S. 35.
November 5, 2026: The southbound fast lane closure begins.
December 2026: Phase one of the project is expected to be finished.
Roadmap
This repaving is one of several rough-pavement fixes planned along U.S. 35 under the state's ongoing rehabilitation work. It continues a pattern of targeting worn sections of the route in sequence rather than all at once.
Drivers using U.S. 35 in Putnam County should plan for reduced speeds of 50 mph and the loss of the southbound fast lane starting November 5. Commuters may face slower travel through the 1.2-mile construction zone until the project is complete.
The takeaway
Drivers who regularly travel U.S. 35 in Putnam County should allow extra time during the November 2026 closure and the December completion window.
What happens next
The southbound fast lane closure begins Thursday, November 5, 2026, and phase one of the project is expected to finish in December 2026.
Further reading
Find more on car maintenance to understand how road conditions affect vehicle upkeep in West Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wsaz.
