DOH fears I-79 interchange won’t be able to handle traffic

MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) is considering substantial changes to the two-year-old I-79 interchange (Exit 153), between the University Town Centre and hundreds of acres of ongoing development.
DOH Spokesman Brent Walker told The Dominion Post the scale of the development under way by WestRidge Inc. has division officials concerned the roundabout located at the exit won’t be able to handle the increase in traffic once all the construction is complete.
“The modifications are being made to accommodate the traffic from the additional development in the area,” Walker said. “They’ll make use of the existing overpass bridge. They may or may not eliminate the roundabout. They’re currently considering things like a divergent diamond interchange concept.”
The interchange was opened to traffic Sept. 2, 2016. According to The Dominion Post archive, the structure cost $22 million. It was paid for using tax-increment-financing.
Walker said there is not yet a timeline indicating when work could get started on any changes.
Holly Childs, director of business development and external relations for WestRidge Inc., has said there is $400 million in planned construction for the WestRidge Business and Retail park, located directly off the new exit.
The park is one of five WestRidge development “neighborhoods” planned for the area, covering more than 1,000 acres.
The DOH recently announced an informational workshop and public meeting on the possible modifications. The meeting will be from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Monongalia County Ballpark, Suite 3.