Resident urges Putnam County to back three‑lane option over roundabouts in Teays Valley

Gary Jones, a Scott Depot resident, told the Putnam County Commission during the meeting’s public‑comment period that most people at a recent state presentation at Teays Valley Christian School opposed the state’s “option 2” roundabout plan and instead favored “option 1,” a three‑lane road with a center turn lane.

Jones said state highway staff at the school presentation “had no skin in the game” because they do not live in the valley, and that the plan did not account for how GPS‑routed tractor‑trailers divert to Valley Road after eastbound US‑64 crashes. “Trying to send tractor trailers through four roundabouts is not a good idea,” Jones said.

He also raised safety concerns based on his experience with roundabouts elsewhere, saying drivers often hesitate and creating potential rear‑end collisions. He argued that a center median could impede emergency vehicles if lanes become blocked. “With this median between the two lanes, if you get one lane blocked, how’s EMTs and anybody gonna get around without going through the median?” Jones said.

Jones said he learned about the state presentation only after the fact and urged the commission and the transportation committee to poll residents of Scott Depot and the valley; he said he believed most users of the road were “against option 2” and “would like to see option 1.” The commission’s transportation committee meeting was announced during the meeting as taking place Monday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. in the commission chambers.

The comments were delivered in the public‑comment portion of the agenda and, as recorded, the commission did not take formal action on the state roadway options at the meeting.