MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A new 15-point improvement project to help alleviate congestion along West Virginia Route 9 was announced by Gov. Jim Justice this week.
The governor was at the Martinsburg Regional DMV Office Tuesday afternoon to lay out the project for the roadway alongside Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, and state Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston.
“After months of analyzing this stretch, our department of transportation is ready to implement a strategic 15-point improvement project,” Justice said.
The congestion on WV 9 between Martinsburg and Hedgesville is linked to a few things. There’s been growth in the Eastern Panhandle, particularly in Berkeley County. Sections of Route 9 also include multiple schools, with more planned for the area, that have seen heavy traffic in the beginning and the end of school days. A handful of businesses near the General Motors Access Road have also added to the congestion.
“This project is going to start making life easier for those who drive Route 9,” Gov. Justice said. “We’re facing a real challenge as the county’s population grows. This boom is undeniably something to celebrate, and we will adapt as we grow.
Gov. Justice said Senate President Craig Blair brought this issue to his attention. Blair said something had to be done to free up the reoccurring congested areas.
“Here’s what I’ve learned working with this man: when Gov. Justice pledges to get something done, it gets done,” said Blair. “That’s why I am confident we’ll fix the problems we face on Route 9. It’s about acknowledging the problem, taking steps forward, and getting the job done.”
Secretary Wriston said he and members of the Department of Transportation are ready to tackle this type of project.
“There’s obviously a growing need for the DOT to deal with some of the issues on Route 9,” Wriston said. “Under Governor Justice’s and Senator Blair’s leadership, we have an approach that will help the area, alleviate congestion, and move traffic more efficiently.”
According to the Department of Transportation, sections of Route 9 have an average daily traffic count of 24,300 vehicles. Also, crash rates in the area are close to double the statewide average.
Some points of the improvement project include creating extra turn lanes at the intersection of WV 9 and the General Motors Access Road, intersection of WV 9 and Welltown Road, at Severna Parkway, at Eagle Plaza, and near Tomahawk Intermediate School. There are other improvements proposed at the intersections of WV 9 including at Cumbo Road, Harlan Springs Road, Ridge Road, Schoolhouse Drive and Stribling Road.
Wriston said there’s no clear timetable at the moment for the project but things will start happening “really quickly.”
“We’re probably looking at a couple of construction seasons to get completely done,” he said.