MORGANTOWN — Utility lines don’t typically grab your attention.
The ones on Canyon Road do — primarily because they’re all that’s keeping multiple trees from falling onto the road.
Or, in Robert Tighe’s case, his SUV.
Tighe had to be freed from his vehicle on July 13 when a tree fell across his windshield as he traveled Canyon Road.
While Tighe was uninjured, frequent travelers of the road fear the next driver may not be so fortunate.
“It’s clearly a safety issue,” Pam Bossio said. “But nobody claims responsibility, whether it’s the cable company, the electric company, it doesn’t matter who you call, the department of highways, I don’t know who should trim them.”
According to Division of Highways District 4 Engineer Mike Cronin, the DOH has been in contact with local utility companies regarding the trees, but has yet to get any results.
“The DOH cannot remove the trees from the lines,” WVDOT Public Relations Director Jennifer Dooley explained.
The DOH is responsible for trimming the tree canopy back off the road, but those efforts won’t begin until late into the fall according to information shared during a recent work session with the Monongalia County Commission.
The Dominion Post provided a photo of a tree across the lines to both Mon Power and Frontier Communications.
Will Boye, representing Mon Power, said they’re not power lines.
“Our power lines are located on the opposite side of the road from the tree/wires in the photo,” Boye said. “On the notifications we have received about this, the communication lines have been on poles that are not owned by Mon Power.”
A representative from Frontier responded Monday evening to say the company was looking into the matter.
In the meantime, travelers of Canyon Road would be wise to keep an eye skyward.
“You can’t miss them. That’s for sure,” Bossio said. “Just drive down the road and look up.”
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