WELCH, W.Va. -- Officials say a $900,000 appropriation for a proposed interchange of the King Coal Highway and the Coalfield Expressway has been rejected by the U.S. Senate.

Diane Luensmann, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, says the funding was an earmark in a bill that passed the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate.

Mike Mitchem, director of the King Coal Highway, said he was disappointed but that he hoped more funding would be secured by state officials.

The interchange was planned near the new $232 million federal prison that recently became operational in Welch.