KEYSER, W.Va. - Five potential routes for an upgraded north/south link between Interstate 68 in Maryland and Corridor H in West Virginia have been narrowed to three as the result of an 18-month study funded by the federal government.

The two eliminated are the far western route along George's Creek and the far eastern one through Fort Ashby and Burlington.

One of the three remaining is one that Mineral County Commissioners Janice LaRue, Wayne Spiggle and Cindy Pyles have endorsed for some time. It follows existing U.S. Route 220 from Cumberland to Keyser and into the New Creek Valley.

LaRue said the shortest version of the route would connect with Corridor H near Scherr, while the longer version would continue to follow Route 220 to Moorefield.

Lakewood resident Kolin Jan said that while the longer of the two proposals might be ideal the shorter one would be less expensive and more likely to be built.

Their remarks came during an open house workshop in Keyser Tuesday where the public got a chance to meet with Maryland, West Virginia and federal highway officials to review the study findings to date and comment on the project.

The study, known as a Tier 1 study, was funded with money earmarked by the federal government for that purpose. According to Ed Compton of the Federal Highway Administration, there are no earmarked funds at this time for a Tier 2 study by either West Virginia or Maryland, which would narrow the choice to a single agreed upon route by the two states.

The project is a joint endeavor by the two states.

William Wood of the West Virginia Division of Highways said that the next steps will be up to the states individually to proceed with the Tier 2 study when monies are available.

Kameel Holmes of the Maryland State Highway Administration said that the project is receiving a lot of positive feedback from the public and local elected officials who will ultimately be responsible for urging the federal government to continue the funding for the studies and the highway's eventual construction.

Depending on when that funding might become available, The project could begin construction as early as 2012, according to Wood.

The likelihood of the funding becoming available, according to Compton, will depend on the states.

"The federal government is very sensitive to how the states want to spend their highway monies," he said.

Colleen Peterson, director of the Greater Cumberland Committee, said that the projected job growth from construction of the highway available at the meeting is several year old data and based on new figures is probably triple the 8,000 jobs estimated.

Holmes added that while there may be some disagreements about which route might best benefit various areas, generally the attitude from everyone is positive and planning departments throughout the region are pushing for the project.

Another meeting was held in Moorefield on Monday and a third meeting is slated for Cumberland at the Bel Air Elementary School from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Mona Ridder can be reached at mridder@times-news.com.