MORGANTOWN — A smartphone app in development by the West Virginia Division of Highways will allow motorists to stay on top of the numerous road projects slated for Monongalia County.
Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom got a look at the app during a recent meeting with DOH officials.
“One of the concerns that was brought up is that there’s so much construction that’s going to be happening in Monongalia County that we wanted people to have a reference point,” Bloom said of the app, which is in the testing phase. “With this app that you can put on your phone or computer, it will be able to show, first, what is currently under construction, what will be under construction and what’s been completed.”
The application will include a number of features, including the ability to receive updates via text alert about potential delays along predetermined routes.
It’s also expected to include project cost and financing information.
“When you pull something up, you can see the exact construction, say, for example, W.Va. 705, it will show you the cost of the project,” Bloom said. “So people can see exactly where the funds are going, how much things cost and so on. That’s just one of the many things we’re beta testing.”
The application will also be linked to the West Virginia 511 Traveler Information System. Launched in 2012, West Virginia 511 provides real-time traffic information online through a dedicated website (wv511.org), social media and its own free app.
The Monongalia County app is expected to roll out around the first of the year.
The project comes at no cost to the county and was spearheaded by for-mer DOH District 4 Engineer Donny Williams, who retired Sept. 28 after 30 years with the division.
Bloom said the app is the result of improved communication between the county and the DOH, which he credits to Williams.
“The relationship that we have with the DOH because of Donny Williams is exceptional,” he said.
Darby Clayton, formerly a regional engineer for the division, will step in to lead District 4.
Tweet @DominionPostWV. Email bconley@dominionpost.com
