By Ron Allen, The Hurricane Breeze
When the WVDOH announced in July of 2024 that federal money was available to widen Teays Valley Road, most everyone assumed that road widening meant making the section of Teays Valley between Great Teays Boulevard and Apple Lane look like the section of Teays Valley Road between Mountain View Elementary and State Route 19 in Hurricane.
Wrong assumption. Money was never available for that purpose. The money which was available was from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program. Projects supported with CMAQ funds must help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Adding a center turn lane and sidewalks does not meet CAA standards. Adding bicycle lanes, however, does meet CAA standards because it makes alternative zero emission vehicle transportation possible.
Most (including this reporter) who viewed both the addition of the center turn lane option and the roundabout option at the July 16, 2024 public meeting at Teays Valley Christian School wondered why the roundabout option was a serious proposal. Why would anyone want roundabouts? No one wants to make a left turn on to Teays Valley Road by turning right and motoring a quarter mile or more to a roundabout. People do not enjoy inconvenience. Most in attendance at the meeting assumed that user convenience would play a major role in which option the DOH would pursue.
Wrong assumption. Convenience was not a consideration. The DOH’s major consideration was safety.