Делегаты Пътнэма требуют ускоренного анализа безопасности на шоссе US-35

Putnam delegates call for expedited engineering and safety review of U.S. 35 PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — A Putnam County delegates have asked state leaders for an expedited engineering and safety review of U.S. 35. The roadway has seen deadly wrecks occur over the years, including a recent two-vehicle crash that killed a 61-year-old woman near Plantation Road. “Yet another wreck,” Crouse said. “There was another fatality on 35 at Plantation Road. At that exact same time, there was a wreck down on Hurricane Creek Road. And then later on that evening, there was another wreck at Hurricane Creek intersection also.” Crouse said those crashes prompted her and the rest of Putnam County’s House delegation to send a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Transportation Secretary Stephen Rumbaugh asking for a safety review. The letter raises concerns about several intersections in Putnam and Mason counties: - Crystal Springs - Hurricane Creek Road - Little Sixteen Mile Creek Road - Plantation Road - Stave Branch Road - Tuckers Branch Road North Delegates pointed out traffic, including the presence of tractor trailers, has steadily increased on the roadway, making it a challenge for drivers to safely access side roads. “It’s the fact that they’re having to cross sometimes four lanes of traffic to get to the other side of the intersection,” Crouse said. In addition, heavy fog commonly forms along the roadway due to its position near the Kanawha River, limiting visibility. We recognize that when Route 35 was originally designed and constructed, today’s traffic patterns, volume, development and increased use of this corridor may not have been fully anticipated. Conditions have changed, and we believe it is time to take another serious look at these intersections and determine whether the safety measures currently in place are adequate for today’s traffic. Delegates have asked the Department of Transportation and Division of Highways review past crashes, traffic data and visibility concerns and take steps to improve safety in the area. The letter suggested traffic signals, lighting and turn lanes as possible improvements. “We do not want to wait for another serious accident or another family member to lose a loved one before determining what can be done,” the letter said. The letter requests findings and recommendations along with an estimated timeline for safety improvements be shared with the delegation. DOH spokesperson Brent Walker said a consultant has been brought in and the review is expected to begin within the next several weeks. But he also said roadway design is only part of the issue. “People don’t like to hear this, but a huge percentage of crashes is due to driver behavior,” Walker said. He pointed to excessive speed, distracted driving and impairment as factors that have to be considered when reviewing crashes. Walker said engineers can also look at intersection crossings, additional signage and flashing lights. “We can’t do much with people’s judgment in terms of whether they’re able to determine a speed of oncoming vehicles when they make a turn,” Walker said. “So we’re going to control the controls.” He said the department will make changes where they make sense and where funding allows.