MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown Utility Board has abandoned the revised Route 3 project in favor of a separate effort along Mississippi Street.
The board unanimously approved the change on Monday.
Compared to the Route 3 project, the Mississippi Street route is longer and will require a pump station to move water to a treatment plant. Residents in the area will have to deal with construction and related traffic until work is complete.
Board chairman J.T. Straface said the board negotiated in reaching a deal on the Route 3 project, but members were unable to reach an agreement.
“In every transaction, it is the seller’s right to set the price, and the right of the buyer to accept or decline,” he said. “Each agency is obligated to act in the best interests of its mission. For the best interest of its ratepayers, MUB has chosen to decline the price for the pipeline license.”
“We are committed to completing the pipeline as soon as possible because the ultimate goal of providing a safe water supply for our community cannot be compromised or delayed,” Straface added.