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Augustine Avenue Trail work paused after state stop‑work; council told funding remains secured
Summary
Staff told council a state stop‑work order on the Augustine Avenue Trail cited right‑of‑way and soil compaction issues; city staff are seeking state metrics and delegate assistance, while funding for phase 2 (including a $350,000 check and TAP allocations) remains in place.
City staff updated the council on delays to the Augustine Avenue Trail after the West Virginia Division of Highways issued a stop‑work order. Staff described two principal obstacles: outstanding right‑of‑way questions and soil compaction/engineering concerns that require additional analysis before construction can proceed.
Melissa Meeks, who gave the update, summarized the issues: "So with that, there are 2 main issues that we're trying to resolve. 1 is a, a right of way issue... The 2nd issue, which is a little more technical... is soil compaction." Meeks told council that the city had already sent a $350,000 payment for phase 2 to the state but was still awaiting an executed agreement back; she said the TAP allocation and the congressional earmark remain secured, reducing the risk of losing the match.
Councilors asked whether grant funds could be lost during the delay; Meeks responded that TAP and the earmark were locked in and that planning‑division reallocations had secured the necessary funding. Staff said they are pursuing clarifying metrics from the state and have requested assistance from Delegate Wayne Clark to resolve the technical questions and right‑of‑way documentation.
