Opponents say businesses, family would suffer losses
The cost of a roundabout at the Green Bag Road and Kingwood Pike intersection would be the land that supports two farms.
The preferred alternatives were presented at a virtual meeting on the Green Bag Road project on Tuesday. The preferred alternatives call for the construction of two roundabouts, one at the intersection of Green Bag Road and Mississippi Street and one at the Green Bag Road and Kingwood Pike intersection.
However, the preferred alternative also takes about 1.5 acres from the Hastings family, which has farmed that land for more than 100 years, according to Jenn Hastings.
The other studied alternatives, which involved turning lanes, would take between one and three residential properties.
“That’s where our plants are. That’s it,” she said. “Just because we have other land, that’s where our business is.”
The land that would be taken currently supports two farms — Mocking Bird Farms and Joy and Hemp Universal. Hastings explained that section has the richest topsoil.
Hastings said she felt the studies did not acknowledge those businesses.
She said she would like to see other options that don’t take anyone’s home or business, such as a 4-way stop or changing the traffic signals.
The two proposed roundabouts will be able to accommodate up to 48’ trailers.
According to an engineering firm tied to the project, the double roundabouts will also run smoother than other roundabouts in Morgantown because there won’t be traffic signals to cause congestion.
The project will begin in front of Napa Auto Parts and extend 1.65 miles to Aarons Creek Road. About 1.2 miles of sidewalks, including one on Dorsey Avenue along Luckey Lane to connect with Mountainview Elementary School, are included in the project.
The full project details and all studied plans are available at publicinput.com/greenbag.
In total, the project is expected to cost about $10.5 million and construction is estimated to start in 2023.
The project is in the second public comment period until Oct. 29.
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