The new four-lane highway connects an already completed section that opened in October 2008 to the existing two-lane Route 35 at the Buffalo Bridge.

"The opening of this nine-mile section of U.S. 35 represents a lot of progress, a lot of planning, and a lot of thanks to many people," said Paul Mattox, secretary of transportation. "Of course, our Congressional delegation has been extremely helpful through these years as well as our partners at the (Federal Highway Administration). Scheduling conflicts do not allow us to celebrate before the road opens but we will be scheduling a dedication soon. While we are excited to be opening this new section, however, there is still a lot of work left to be done."

The 11-mile section of Route 35 from Interstate 64 to the Buffalo Bridge cost $251 million, Mattox said. And contractors now are working on another eight-mile section on the Mason County end of the highway. That will leave a 13-mile section in the middle unimproved.

The state now is weighing its options for obtaining the estimated $395 million needed to make the highway four-lanes from the Ohio border to the interstate, Mattox said.

"While we are celebrating the progress that is taking place on the 35 corridor, the WVDOH and the FHWA believe it is important to let the public, elected officials and others know that all of us are working closely to find a way to complete the entire U.S. 35 project as soon as possible," he said.

"After looking at a full range of possibilities, the WVDOH has determined that, in order to complete the 13-mile section between the Buffalo Bridge in Putnam County and County (Road) 40 in Mason County, tolling of the U.S. 35 corridor may be the only viable option that will allow the project to be completed in the near future."

During preliminary discussions, local officials in Putnam and Mason Counties have said they support the toll road concept, Mattox said. But the Division of Highways wants input from the public, too. The Division will schedule public meetings later this summer.

The upgrading of Route 35 has been done in piecemeal fashion for more than a decade. A two-mile section in Mason County was completed in 1997. A two-mile section in Putnam County was dedicated in 2008. Those projects were started as funding was made available.

Gov. Joe Manchin credited the state's congressional delegation for securing those funds.

"I thank our congressional delegation, including Sen. Robert C. Byrd, Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito for their leadership and outstanding support on this project.

"At the start of my administration, I implemented a six-year transportation plan, and with the help of West Virginia's congressional delegation, we have gotten a lot accomplished with U.S. 35 over the past few years.

"This road is vital to West Virginia, especially when it comes to meeting our economic development, transportation and safety needs. I look forward to continue working with our congressional delegation as well as with our state and local officials to make even further advancements on this essential transportation route."

State transportation officials have reported that 35 percent of the traffic on the highway is tractor-trailers. The average percentage of tractor-trailer traffic on West Virginia highways is about 5 percent.