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 somewhere between 1974 and 1980 [1].
Parts of the route has been replaced by a four lane WV 2, which moved from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. 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, Sources & Links:
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WV 56
@ WV Highways Page ---H.B. Elkins
[1] Landis, Joseph. 'Re: Rt. 56.' Personal e-mail, October
9, 2002.
Page Created: October 10, 2002
Last Updated: May 30, 2005
(C) 2002-05 Adam Prince