by Jim Fisher

STAFF WRITER

CLARKSBURG -- About 100 local officials, residents and business owners attended a meeting Thursday to discuss the Harrison County Transportation Study.

The study is being conducted by URS Corp., an Omaha, Neb.-based company. The study is a guide the state Division of Highways will use for the next quarter century.

Bill Troe, a transportation planner for URS, said the purpose of Thursday's meeting was to inform residents about some of the alternative plans that have been developed.

Previous meetings have focused on identifying problems with transportation in the county and potential areas of growth and associated problems with that growth.

Troe said planners will now look at all the alternatives, along with public and official comments, and develop a draft plan that looks at benefits vs. costs. There will be more public comment periods once that plan is developed, he said.

While many people spoke Thursday, the overwhelming sentiment was in support of the proposed upgrade to Davisson Run Road from U.S. 50 to West Virginia 98.

"This (Route) 98 thing has to go. We've got to build that," said Geary Rollins, an assistant principal at Robert C. Byrd High School. "I used to teach at Liberty (High School) and they were going to fix it then, and that was 20 years ago."

Clarksburg City Council members and county commissioners have all said upgrading the road is their No. 1 priority.

Other issues raised Thursday were concerns that some parts of Harrison County are being ignored.

"Harrison County is more than Bridgeport, and it's more than Clarksburg. We all bring our own legitimate self-interests, but at some point we need to step back and look at the big picture," said Shinnston City Council member Barry Locke. "We need to open up all of Harrison County for development."

Mary Lough, community specialist for the American Cancer Society, said public transportation needs to be explored, especially with United Hospital Center planning to open a new hospital off Interstate 79 in the next few years.

Lynda Trippett said she had concerns about the widening project on Meadowbrook Road, especially because a new four-lane from the FBI fingerprint complex into Shinnston is also being examined.

Troe said planners hope to have a draft plan ready for public comment in April.

Staff writer Jim Fisher can be reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at jfisher@exponent-telegram.com