Residents ask Putnam County to press state on Teays Valley Road project; commission offers to convene DOT and stakeholders
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Summary
A committee representing about 2,000 stakeholders urged the Putnam County Commission to keep a road‑widening project on the agenda and press the state for a meaningful stakeholders meeting; commissioners agreed to attempt to convene the state DOT and other parties for a joint meeting.
A group representing neighborhood and business stakeholders told the Putnam County Commission they want the county to press the West Virginia Department of Transportation for clarity and public input on the Teays Valley Road project, including the introduction of roundabouts that residents say were not properly presented earlier in the planning process.
Heath Deal, speaking "on behalf of the road committee and 2,000 people," asked the county to "support the stakeholders and keep us on the agenda for the September 25 letter," and said stakeholders had not seen a funded state plan or received adequate notification about design elements. Deal said some stakeholders learned about the proposed roundabouts only after an earlier meeting on March 31.
Commissioners and staff said they had received limited information from the state. One commissioner noted the original proposal appears to have been pulled back for redesign, and that the county cannot endorse or support a plan that has not been finalized. Commissioner Brian (first name only in transcript) and other commissioners discussed which state officials and legislators had been involved in prior discussions.
Members of the stakeholders group said they wanted a single meeting that includes DOT staff, the engineering consultant and affected landowners so everyone can hear the same information. An engineering consultant named Amy Stodd was described by speakers as receptive to community input; speakers said other DOT representatives were less receptive.
The commission did not take a formal vote but committed to attempt to convene a joint meeting with DOT, the consulting engineers and stakeholder representatives so that landowners, businesses and schools can present unified concerns and review potential design alternatives. The commission president said, "I will try to organize a meeting with DOT... and try to get a true stakeholders meeting," and asked the committee to provide contact information for organizers.
Ending: County staff will attempt to schedule a stakeholders meeting with DOT and the project consultants; stakeholders asked the county to keep the matter on future agendas and to send a status letter to state officials.
