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River Road volunteer firefighter, residents ask county to act on large-truck routing and signage
Summary
William "Mickey" Reinhart, an assistant chief with the River Road Fire Department, told the Monongalia County Commission on Jan. 29 that large trucks from a nearby industrial park are using a route toward a railroad trestle and are getting stuck, at times blocking the fire department’s access.
William "Mickey" Reinhart, an assistant chief at River Road Fire Department, told the Monongalia County Commission on Jan. 29 that large trucks exiting a nearby industrial park have been using River Road toward the southbound overpass and are encountering a railroad trestle that prevents some trucks from passing safely.
"We've really got to do something about the trucks that are coming out of the industrial park going towards south on River Road," Reinhart said. He described trucks ignoring posted signage, getting stuck on tight turns and, in one incident, becoming hung up near the fire department's driveway and striking a vehicle. "When the truck gets hung up in the turn, we can't get to the fire department. We can't get trucks out to a call," Reinhart said.
During the public-comment reply, a commissioner asked Reinhart to email Administrator Reneta McClure so staff could forward the complaint to the Department of Highways (DOH) and pursue signage or other remedies. McClure confirmed staff would submit the concern to DOH for possible signage placement. Reinhart said he had spoken with 911 and that he was unsure whether the signs had yet been installed or who placed them.
Reinhart said the problem is compounded by drivers using consumer GPS services rather than truck-capable routing and by limited turnaround space near Lowesville. He asked the commission for help determining whether to pursue the industrial park operator, the companies that use the park, or the state agency that controls road signage.
The exchange was recorded during the public comment period; the commission offered to transmit the complaint through official channels but did not take a formal vote on policy changes.
