Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Storm Response Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners cite snowstorm challenges, urge more state support for road crews
Summary
Commissioners described an 8-inch snow event that strained road clearing on primary routes and urged state investment in Department of Highways staffing and equipment; county praised local city clearing and first responders.
Commissioners described a heavy December snowstorm and urged changes in state road‑maintenance funding and practices during the Dec. 17 meeting.
An unidentified commissioner reported about 8 inches of snow and persistent freezing that left primary routes (State Route 68 and 79) difficult to maintain. He said state crews focused on primary roads and required state approval to use aggregate in emergencies; after discussions with county highway leadership, the county obtained permission to use aggregate on emergency routes.
The commissioner said the storm had economic and safety impacts: workers at WVU and hospital supervisors reported that staff could not get into offices, and the county received numerous calls about access to workplaces. He urged the state to consider maintaining income and business tax revenue to increase Department of Highways staffing and pay so the state could hire more workers and buy more equipment, rather than continuing tax cuts.
Other commissioners thanked first responders and noted the city’s effectiveness in clearing its roads. The discussion was framed as both an operational report and a policy recommendation to state officials rather than a local policy change.
