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Route 2 options weighed

Hancock County Residents talking to state representatives at Tuesday's Route 2 Improvements Workshop and public meeting. (Photo By Craig Howell)

NEW CUMBERLAND — Discussions of improving state Route 2 in Hancock County continue after an informal workshop and public meeting was held Tuesday.

Tuesday was the third public meeting discussing updates to Route 2 in New Cumberland. The project was presented to the public in May of 2014. The updates are for addressing the intersection of Madison and South Chester Street, also known as the S turn.

Currently, Route 2 travels on Ridge Road in New Cumberland, and residents expressed concerns about the narrowness and stability of Ridge Road after a recent road washout.

“As a New Cumberland resident this would impact me in a big way, my land is by the park and the potential loss of the park concerns me,” said Sean Lauritzen.

All the proposals would have some effect on residential properties, businesses and public lands.

Lauritzen also commented updates to Route 2 could bring business development opportunities to New Cumberland.

Approximately 75 residents attended the meeting to review the five options and address state employees and representatives with questions and concerns about those alternatives. There is also the sixth option of leaving the road as is.

“The turnout is good, and it’s important we’ve had a good turnout to tell Charleston, that Hancock County cares about this investment,” West Virginia State Delegate Randy Swartzmiller said. “No matter what the turnout, I’m going to continue working on the roads and getting Chester and New Cumberland paved.”

The West Virginia Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways are some of the leading departments in researching and planning for this proposed project. Currently the state is studying the impacts and benefits of each alternative and presenting the information for the public to comment on.

The state estimates Route 2 carries 7,000 vehicles each day through New Cumberland, and 10 percent of those vehicles are trucks, primarily tractor trailers and other large vehicles, which are hindered by the two 90 degree turns at the Madison and Chester intersection.

Studies to improve Route 2 began in 2004, and the residents of New Cumberland were first presented with options in 2017.

The state is still investigating the environmental impacts of the project which include residential and business displacement, flood plains, air quality, utilities and land cover. District Six Engineer Joe Juszczak hopes the environmental assessment is complete by the end of the year. He reported that there are too many unknowns at this point to know when the project will begin. He cited funding, environmental assessment, public comment and engineering unknowns as some of the factors at play with the project.

“I’m happy the turnout is big and we appreciate an engaged public, we are presenting options and collecting feedback. We are stewards of the public and we need to ensure the safety and integrity of the road while serving the public.” West Virginia Department of Highways Engineering Division Dirar Ahmad said.

Ahmad also reported the state is not partial to any of the alternatives and wants the public to pick the option that best serves the community’s needs.

The Hancock County Commissioners reported most residents showed interest in alternative five A, which is an adjustment to alternative five that was presented at the July 2017 meeting. The commissioners were all impressed with the turnout and encourage all residents to submit their feedback.

“I encourage everyone, especially the residents of New Cumberland, to make their comments in order to have a positive impact on the project,” said Commissioner Paul Cowey.

Commission President Joe Barnabei reported residents approached him with questions about the Roads to Prosperity program, which is $19 million the state has promised Hancock County for road repairs. The Route 2 updates would be one of the specified projects for the Roads to Prosperity money covers.

“The residents are wanting to know where the Roads to Prosperity money is going, we haven’t seen any invested in Hancock County, and we voted for it, said” Barnabei.

Commissioner Jeff Davis said residents spoke to him about the heavy truck traffic on Ridge Road and wanting to keep truck traffic off the road for the safety concerns that traffic presents. He reported Ridge Road has experienced two road slips in the last two years and has the potential for two more.

“We want what’s best for our residents and for New Cumberland, and we hope that it’s a safe route,” said Davis.

The information from Tuesday’s meeting is available at http://go.wv.gov/dotcomment under the WV 2- New Cumberland -Madison Street to Chester Street Intersection and Widening link. Residents have until Oct. 17 to submit comments. Comments can be submitted email to Sondra.L.Mullins@wv.gov or by mail the form from the website to Mr. RJ Scites, P.E. Director, Engineering Division West Virginia Department of Transportation 1334 Smith Street Charleston, WV 25301.

Route 2 proposals

Alternative one improves the 90 degree turns by widening the existing alignment including intersection improvements at Madison and Chester Streets; estimated cost $3.9 million.

Alternative two improves the turns by shifting the road between them approximately 70 feet south. This also improves the intersection by widening the road; $4.2 million.

Alternative three is similar to alternative one, but instead of creating a skewed intersection and widening to the south it improves the inside radius at the intersection; estimated cost $4.9 million.

Alternative four improves the 90 degree turns by creating a short bypass off the existing road. The new segment will begin near Hardin Run and parallels the railroad tracks ending on Ridge Avenue by the library; estimated cost $6.9 million.

Alternative five A reroutes Route 2 off Ridge Road, bringing the new road to the intersection of Chestnut and Madison Streets, bring the route closer to the Ohio River and generally following South Chestnut Street, Pottery Road and Industrial Park Road; estimated cost $15.9 million.

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