MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia Division of Highways has no interest in any agreements, deals, memorandums or pilot programs through which counties or municipalities could address the condition of state routes.
DOH Chief Engineer of Operations Joe Pack explained as much in response to questions from The Dominion Post.
“The WVDOH is not going to entertain any ideas which involve abdicating our responsibility in maintaining the roads in the state of West Virginia,” he explained. “However, the WVDOH will continue to evaluate all available opportunities to make improvements in the performance of our organization.”
The questions were put to the DOH in light of mounting frustrations from both county and municipal officials over the condition of state-maintained routes.
In addition to actual road conditions, weeds are growing unchecked along major thoroughfares, at interstate exits and sprouting up through medians. Signs and sight lines are obscured by overgrowth.
During Wednesday’s Monongalia County Commission meeting, President Tom Bloom said this past Saturday’s prime time showdown with backyard rival Pittsburgh should have been a showcase for West Virginia, Monongalia County and the city of Morgantown.
“The amount of calls I’ve received is unbelievable. Some of them were from people who don’t live here, and they were very angry at Monongalia County and very embarrassed that we as a county commission were allowing this to happen,” he said. “It was difficult to listen to because we’re as frustrated as they are.”
Bloom said his frustration comes largely from a seeming lack of interest at the state level. He said DOH officials canceled a meeting with local representatives scheduled for last Thursday and have not responded to his calls to reschedule.
The city of Morgantown has made multiple overtures to the DOH in recent months. The city has asked about scheduling meetings, taking over smaller state-maintained connector streets within its boundaries and even potentially working with the state on an agreement or pilot program to take on certain maintenance projects with DOH reimbursement.
Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli said the city has never received a response from the state.
“The residents of Mon County are suffering from lack of maintenance and attention on state roadways, and their pleas for help have been unanswered by the state,” she said, noting the city was asked for, and provided, creative solutions to address its concerns.
“However, we are hitting a wall with how to provide a transportation system that our residents deserve. Our main issue is we do not have jurisdiction to work on state-maintained roadways without their permission and, therefore, cannot make the necessary changes,” Muzzarelli said.
“At the end of the day, we want every person in Morgantown to feel safe using our roads. Our mission as a city is to deliver excellent services that encourage the community to thrive, and right now, the WVDOH is hindering us from doing so. We want to be part of the solution and are more than willing to be an active partner with the WVDOH in implementing an action plan going forward.”
Bloom reiterated that his frustrations are not with county and district personnel.
“I’m flabbergasted that the state is not responding to the governmental bodies. What did we do to deserve this type of treatment at the state level? It really frustrates me that [The Dominion Post] got an answer, but the city of Morgantown has been waiting on one for five months,” Bloom said. “If they don’t want the city or anyone to do anything, then fix the roads and take care of them. Doing nothing is not a solution.”
