WINFIELD. W.Va. — Residents of Putnam and Mason counties who regularly travel U.S. Route 35 are worried.
Since the completion of the four-lane stretch from Interstate 64 to the Buffalo Bridge, the transition area from four lanes to two lanes has become a dangerous intersection.
“Most of the problems are when you’re coming down the hill toward the Buffalo Bridge,” said Putnam County Commissioner Andy Skidmore. “That’s where most of the incidents happen.”
The most recent incident involved a semi tanker that overturned and spilled a chemical cleaning agent on the highway. The wreck forced the shutdown of old and new Route 35, along with the bridge, for hours. Thousands of motorists using the highway that connects Michigan City, Ind., to Scott Depot, W.Va., had to be rerouted.
Residents turned out Monday to voice concerns about the intersection at a meeting of the commission’s transportation committee. Among the suggestions was for the DOH to repair traffic lights at the intersection that have been inoperable for an extended period of time.
Skidmore said residents also would like to see increased traffic patrols by state police and the sheriff’s department to help reduce speeding. Speed appears to be one of the biggest reasons for accidents by west-bound traffic coming down the hill.
The ultimate solution would be to finish the highway to four-lanes, though there doesn’t seem to be much buzz on getting that done soon.
“Unfortunately there hasn’t been any positive affirmation,” Skidmore said. “The Blue Ribbon Highway Commission is always looking at it, and the toll road idea got voted down. Since that time, there hasn’t been anything brought forward.”