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Camp Creek changes come after 12 traffic-related deaths in recent years

CAMP CREEK, W.Va. — The decision to reduce the speed limit on a six-mile stretch of the West Virginia Turnpike follows a series of wrecks, resulting in multiple fatalities.

West Virginia Highways Commissioner Jimmy Wriston signing the order reducing the speed limit.

Highways Commissioner Jimmy Wriston signed an order April 26 reducing the speed limit to 60 mph between Camp Creek and Flat Top in Mercer County near the Raleigh County line.

“It’s just been a rash of accidents that prompted our attention to make it a safer road in that area,” Parkways Authority General Manager Greg Barr told MetroNews.

Barr said there have been 12 fatalities in the past few years. An April 2017 wreck claimed the lives of a four-member family. Last year, two Parkways Authority workers were killed when a truck struck them as they were standing on the side of the highway.

The speed limit change comes after a Parkways Authority request to the state Division of Highways. Barr said an engineering firm first had to conduct a speed study.

“They (the Division of Highways) looked at the totality of the situation there with the horrific accidents, the crossover incidents and the fact that we are still doing a comprehensive analysis of things we can do to make that road safer, which includes looking at different barrier systems for the median,” he said.

Greg Barr

The barrier system in the area is currently v-shaped, which is an approved barrier for an interstate. The median is 40 feet wide. Parkways is currently studying whether another type of barrier would be better. Barr said they are looking at a cabling system, a concrete median wall or guardrail. He said they also considering a truck pull off area for southbound traffic.

Barr said bad wrecks have started in both the north and southbound lanes and several have been cross-over crashes.

“While we’re finalizing the study, the DOH has agreed to lower the speed limit from 70 (mph) to 60, and we’re hopeful that will make a big difference, too,” he added.

Barr said there have been other efforts to make the area safer; West Virginia State Police increased speed patrols in November. The Parkways Authority hired a third Public Service Commission Enforcement Officer to handle tractor-trailer traffic.

An August, 2018 crash claimed the lives of two Parkways Authority workers.

Barr also added both lanes have flashing signs as well to alert motorists of related dangers.

Barr said he anticipates the Parkways Authority will approve a second speed study in the months to come to see if any of the initial changes have worked.

“That first study can be a base line of what it was before we did some of these changes as opposed to what it is after we did the changes,” Barr said.

The Parkways Authority will likely discuss the recent speed limit change and its ongoing analysis at its monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday at Tamarack.

MetroNews reporter Jeff Jenkins contributed to this story. 





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