HNTB-designed Beckley and Bluestone Plazas open with stunning designs and modern amenities
SCOTT DEPOT, W.V. (Dec. 31, 2024) – HNTB joins the West Virginia Parkways Authority (WVPA) in celebrating the completion of the Beckley and Bluestone Travel Plazas, offering a reimagined turnpike travel experience. To mark the occasion, WVPA held a grand opening ribbon cutting event at Beckley on Dec. 30 alongside Gov. Jim Justice, WVPA board members, project stakeholders, industry partners and members of the local business community.
“The opening of the Beckley and Bluestone plazas introduces a new era of travel, seamlessly combining exceptional functionality with stunning designs and cutting-edge amenities,” said John Swisher, PE, HNTB’s group director and associate vice president. “We are honored to have partnered with the West Virginia Parkways Authority on this project and to celebrate this important milestone. This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the traveling public, while honoring the natural beauty of the landscape.”
As architect- and engineer-of-record, HNTB led the design of the state-of-the-art facilities situated along the West Virginia Turnpike. Inspired by 1950s-era “glass house” architecture, the plazas feature expansive curtain walls, high ceilings and natural materials to capture West Virginia’s panoramic views, creating a serene, resort-like atmosphere. The plazas include retail spaces, local crafts, tourist information and food services, with separate areas for light vehicles and trucks to ensure smooth traffic flow.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of theses critically important plazas in time for the holiday season,” said Jeff Miller, WVPA executive director. “These new facilities will not only enhance the travel experience for countless motorists but also support local businesses and tourism. The Beckley and Bluestone plazas represent a significant investment in our state’s infrastructure, and we are proud to have collaborated with HNTB to bring this visionary project to life.”
“The collaborative vision of the West Virginia Parkways Authority and our design team was to redefine what a travel stop can be by creating spaces which inspire, rejuvenate and elevate the journey of travelers,” said Taylore Keller, HNTB design principal. “From the seamless integration of West Virginia’s natural beauty into the architecture to thoughtfully created amenities, every detail was designed to transform a routine stop into an extraordinary experience.”
Construction of a third, HNTB-designed travel plaza, the Morton Travel Plaza in Kanawha County, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025.
For nearly 75 years, HNTB has played a pivotal role in West Virginia’s most transformative transportation projects including Blennerhassett Bridge, Morgantown Industrial Park Access Road, I-77 Beckley Widening, Fairmont Gateway Connector, I-79 Bridge Rehabilitation Bundle and Coalfields Expressway. The firm’s commitment to local communities has fostered economic growth and strengthened community ties throughout the state.