The West Virginia Parkways Authority and the state Division of Highways are very close to finalizing lease agreements with Verizon to construct as many as seven cell phone towers along a 22-mile section of the West Virginia Turnpike.
“This will rid the Turnpike of that black hole where people lose their signals on their cell phones,” Parkways Authority General Manager Greg Barr told MetroNews Thursday.
The line-of-sight towers will be put between the Chelyan toll plaza in Kanawha County and the Mossy toll plaza in Fayette County. Right now cell phone connection from mile-marker 60 to mile-marker 82 is almost non-existent.
Getting towers in place has been an issue for years on the Turnpike but Barr says the agreement with Verizon is almost ready to be finalized.
“We’re real close. Basically the lease is drawn up and there are a couple of blanks to fill-in,” he said.
The lease is between Verizon, Parkways, DOH and the state Real Estate Division. The state will lease the land to Verizon, which will then build the towers. Barr says the language includes a requirement that Verizon make space available on their towers to rent to other cell phone companies. Barr says that’s a key part of the agreement.
“That’s something that we feel will encourage others to also get involved with these towers and hang some equipment,” he said.
The rugged terrain makes it almost impossible to put large towers on tops of the mountains so instead more towers are needed and they will be constructed just off the highway on the Turnpike’s right-of-way. The plan needed approval from the Federal Highway Administration.
Barr says construction could begin in April near the Chelyan toll plaza. He says the sooner the better. He says the Parkways Authority is anxious to provide the opportunity for the service.
“With the advent of the new 511 smart phone app, with Twitter, with Facebook, with GPS and cell phones in general—people need to have constant connection,” he said.
8
Comments
RHytonen
People are not supposed to be conducting phone calls while driving, ANYWAY.
February 7, 2013 at 8:34 pm | Report comment
B
Its a good idea. This will make coverage available in case of an emergency. Use of hands-free devices by the driver is not restricted. The passenger in a car can use a cell phone without restriction.
February 8, 2013 at 9:07 am | Report comment
K
Passengers can talk, text, skype, tweet, etc.
February 8, 2013 at 10:35 am | Report comment
J
If it takes 7 of them in 22 miles........... there is no need for coverage......... that is pathetic if it will take that many.
Why not get coverage into many other areas that will actually help our residents and not just a select few travelers......
February 7, 2013 at 9:48 pm | Report comment
B
Seriously, a few travelers J ... you've obviously not traveled the Turnpike. You haven't been stuck on that section of road with no cell service then ... it sucks. I personally think this is great coming from someone that commutes on that road every day.
February 8, 2013 at 8:28 am | Report comment
Big'eer
It is apparent that you do not drive on that section of the turnpike very often. Try getting stuck in a blizzard with no communication. I have. Glad to see it.
February 7, 2013 at 10:31 pm | Report comment
Daily Turnpike traveler
It has nothing to do with talking on a cell phone while driving. If you have broken down or had an accident in that stretch then you would understand how vital these towers will be. Travelers should be able to use a cell phone at the travel plazas. Right now they cannot. This will help more than "a select few travelers." Many WV residents travel this road to work daily.
February 8, 2013 at 8:33 am | Report comment
Chris
Finally!!! I live in Oak Hill and drive to Kanawha City everyday. This has been needed for a long time. This is a very dangerous stretch of highway and should have better cell coverage. This should help with emergency respose to accidents that happens all the time and also help people who break down in that stretch of highway. This is a great thing so THANK YOU!!!
February 8, 2013 at 9:08 am | Report comment