Preston County Minutes May, 2009

Minutes

May 20^th, 2009

Recorded Attendees: Gary Howell – Mineral County, Robert Harman – Mineral County, Wayne Spiggle-Mineral County Commission, Arvin Harsh – Preston County, Mona Ridder – MCDA, Brian Carr – WVDOH, Chris Strovel – Congresswoman Capito’s office, Dave Moe – Garrett Co. Dev. Com, Dave Price – Preston County, Evelyn Baker – Hampshire County, Delores Stemple – Aurora, WV, David Stemple - Aurora, WV, Charles Baker – Hampshire County Planning Commission, Daniel Haskins – WVDOH, Matthew Hastings – WVDOH, Betty Spiggle – Mineral County, Larry Weaver – WVDOH Preston County, Cate Johnson – Congressman Alan Mollohan’s office.

Introductions: Dave Price, Preston County Commissioner welcomed everyone to the meeting stating, Wayne Spiggle then opened the meeting by requesting each county introduce themselves as a group. He made special recognition of former Delegate Robert Harman from Keyser.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: David Moe provided a copy of a funding request letter for the North/South US 220 Corridor Tier 1 study. The letter can be found on the US 50 Association website. David went on to say that the Tier 1 study was originally to start in 03/04 and take 18 to 24 months. The completion date was pushed back to 2007 and that has still not been met.

The intersection of US 50 and WV 24 was discussed and Brian Carr of WVDOH said a speed study should start in June when weather will allow the installation of traffic study devices. After the study, the traffic engineering division will make a recommendation which may require a public meeting if changes are indicated. Brian Carr acknowledged that the intersection needs to be redesigned, but because of funding restraints and priorities that it precludes it at this time. Larry Weaver indicated that the grade of the intersection makes the project more expensive than other improvement projects.

David Moe spoke about the Corridor O project and stated that it may not go anywhere. Chris Strovel of Congresswoman Capito’s office stated the Congresswoman believes that the extension of Corridor O could reduce funding for other ADHS corridors in the state. Cate Johnson of Congressman Mollohan’s office indicated that no co-sponsors had signed on to H.R. 1489 the Corridor O extension bill.

Congresswoman Capito did introduce a request for ten million dollars in improvements to US 50 in Hampshire County to improve safety and traffic flow.

Wayne Spiggle requested the group consider requesting Scenic Byway status for US 50 over the length from the Virginia state line to Interstate 79. Robert Harman objected stating that Scenic Byway’s are anti-business and they stop signage along the route. Wayne Spiggle disagreed. He stated the Byway allows access to grants to celebrate the highway and that is pro-business. He stated that advertising is not affected because it is only eliminated in the areas that have intrinsic value. Gary Howell disagreed asking if the area of the Saddle Mountain overlook was considered an area with intrinsic value and it was stated so. Howell went on to explain that that also happened to be the intersection of US 50 and WV 42 and by eliminating signage it would damage the businesses in Elk Garden and the Jennings Randolph Lake area as they would not be able to direct traffic to their locations.

Howell also read from the July 21^st, 2004 minutes of the US 50 Association, “There are strict sign regulations such as been brought to light by the George’s Creek Coal Heritage Trail. The [Scenic Byway] Task Force recommends tabling this issue until dual lane and alternate routes can be reviewed which may leave portions of the original roadbeds to be designated as Scenic By-ways.” Scenic Byway status is anti-business.

Brian Carr stated that US 60 through most of West Virginia was a Scenic Byway and it was successful. Robert Harman reminded that Interstate 64 also paralleled US 60 for business and US 50 had no such companion.

Com. Spiggle stated he had distributed information to all the involved county commissions and he had spoken with them verbally and they were in agreement to request Byway status for US 50. Charles Baker, representing the Hampshire County Commission, objected and stated that Com. Spiggle was mistaken and that Hampshire County after reviewing all documentation felt that Byway designation may inhibit commercial development due signage regulation imposed and that their efforts to upgrade the road would be in conflict with the Scenic By designation.

Com. Spiggle then stated that the US 50 Association would not pursue the status for the full length, but that Mineral County would pursue it alone. He then invited those opposed to the Byway status to come to a Mineral County Commission meeting to voice their objections.

New Business: It was suggested that a letter be sent to Congresswoman Capito for her efforts to get ten million in funding for US 50. David Moe said it would be more appropriate to thank all of the Congressional delegation for their efforts.

It was requested that the state look at paving areas of US 50 in eastern Preston County. Both Larry Weaver and Brian Carr of WVDOH explained how the cost of asphalt was hindering the state in expanding paving projects, but they would look into the possibility.

July Meeting:

Taylor County is next on the schedule to host the July 15^th, 2009 meeting a t a place to be determined.

Meeting Adjourned at 2:04

Tentative Meeting Schedule

15 July 2009 – Taylor County

16 September 2009 – Hampshire County

18 November 2009 – Mineral County

20 January 2010 – Grant County

Agenda May 20th, 2009 Meeting - Preston County

May 20^th, 2009

Preston County Meeting Agenda

Melanie’s Restaurant

US 50 next to Cathedral State Forest

Aurora, WV 26705

I. 12:00 Lunch

II. 1:00 Introductions

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting

IV. Correspondence

V. Old Business

a. WV24/US50 Intersection (update) – Bill Woods

b. Corridor O Extension Request Letter – David Moe

c. US 220 Tier 2 Funding Request Letter – David Moe

d. Scenic By Way Status – Wayne Spiggle

VI. New Business

a. US 50 Assoc. Position on Corridor H– Wayne Spiggle

b. US 220 Status – David Moe

VII. Regional Issues

VIII. Citizens Concerns

IX. Volunteer host site for next meeting – Taylor County

X. Adjourn

Tentative Meeting Schedule

15 July 2009 – Taylor County

16 September 2009 – Hampshire County

18 November 2009 – Mineral County

20 January 2010 – Grant County

March 18th, 2009 Minutes

March 18th, 2009

Meeting Mintues

Penn Alps
125 Casselman Rd
Grantsville, MD 21536


The meeting began at 1:00 P.M. at Penn Alps Restaurant in Grantsville, MD. The Garrett County Commissioner Fred Holliday welcomed the Association to their County. Introductions were held, Represenatives from U.S. Senator Mikulski (Julianna Albowicz), Senator Cardin (Robin Summerfield), and Congresswoman Capito (Chris Strovel), and Congressman Mollohan (Cate Johnson) Offices were present. County Commission representatives from Garrett County Maryland (Fred Holliday), and Mineral (Janice LaRue and Wayne Spiggle), Hampshire (Steve Slonaker), and Preston Counties (Dave Price and Vicki Cole) in West Virginia also attended. Brian Carr from the West Virginia Division of Highways participated in the meeting. Others attending were Mona Ridder, Gary Howell from Mineral County, Charles Baker, Evelyn Baker, and Grady Bradfield from Hampshire County, Arvin Harsh from Preston County, and Liz Beavers from the Mineral News-Tribune.


A lively discussion was held on the minutes of the previous meeting, constituents from Mineral County had concerns over language and discussion of an item. It was determined through consensus that the meetings should be tapes for accuracy of minutes.


David Moe was not present at the meeting; the make-up of the Route 50 Association was discussed. A letter and brief history was read by Mrs. LaRue that clarified the original scope of the Association and it members. Documents were handed out that were drafted at the inception of the Association.


Gary Howell discussed letters that were received, one a response from Governor Manchin, and a letter concerning Corridor O Extension and a letter to promote Tier 2 Funding for U.S. 220. Cate Jonson from Congress Mollohan’s Office informed the Association of an house of Representatives Bill that was introduced, HR 1489 concerning Corridor O. On the issue of 220, Senator Byrd needs a letter to push for funding and also needs Governor Manchin’s support. Maryland also needs to help fund the project.


Brian Carr and members of the Association with knowledge of their individual counties gave a brief update on road improvements that were both under construction and proposed.


A discussion was held concerning designating Route 50 as a Scenic Byway. It was determined that Karen Ebert Allen, from the West Virginia Division of Highways, whom is in charge of Scenic Byways in the State should hold a meeting with the individual county commissions the address questions and concerns over the designations, Mr. Carr suggested holding consolidated meetings considering travel issues for Ms. Allen and similarity in questions and concerns from the commissions. It was also determined that part of Route 50 has already been designated as such and that individual sections could be designated. The individual county commissions could choose to designate the entire length or parts of the road in their county.

A short statement was given on the issues arising with Route 50 in Hampshire County. Improvements near Dunmore Ridge, Timber Ridge, Bear Garden Mountain, Grassy Lick, Mountain Top, and Cooper Mountain were given in a list. Mr. Slonaker thanked Mr. Carr for the improvements that Hampshire County did get. The three lane in Romney is in the Stimulus money at this time, South Little Cacapon Road would have to be checked in the six year stip. Mr. Carr stated the six year stip can be checked at wvdot.com. A sidenote was given that Maryland projects can be checked at www.recovery.gov.

Arvin Harsh from Preston County voiced his concern of a dangerous intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Route 24. Brian Carr stated a speed study was going to be performed in late spring or summer. Fred Holliday from Garrett County proposed the possibility of Preston County helping with the funding the improvements, much the same way they do in Maryland. A question was ask on the paving from Aurora to the Maryland line.

Preston County was determined to be the next host site for the May Meeting, at a place to be determined later.

The Meeting Adjourned.

Mineral County Meeting Agenda November 19th, 2008

November 19th, 2008

Mineral County Meeting Agenda

Flying W Restaurant

US 50 West
Burlington, WV 26710

I. 12:00 Lunch

II. 1:00 Introductions

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting

IV. Correspondence

V. Old Business

a. US 50 brochure – Gary Howell

b. WV 93 Extension Update – Bill Woods

c. US 50 Harrison County Closure Update – Brian Carr

d. NHS US 220 Corridor Route Update – Brian Carr

VI. New Business

a. Re-introduction of Corridor O Bill

b. US 220 Tier 2 funding request revisit

c. Turn removal projects using local DOH

VII. Regional Issues

VIII. Citizens Concerns

IX. Volunteer host site for next meeting – Grant County

X. Adjourn

Tentative Meeting Schedule

21 January 2009 – Grant County

18 March 2009 – Garrett County

15 July 2009 – Preston County

16 September 2009 – Taylor County

18 November 2009 – Hampshire County

20 January 2010 – Mineral County

HR 4827 Request Letter

Ladies & Gentlemen:

My name is David Moe and I am a member of the US Route 50 Association.

We are a group of citizens and county government representatives in the Potomac Highland region of the Appalachian Mountains of Maryland and West Virginia concerned with the lack of transportation infrastructure in our region necessary for job creation and economic growth.

In addition to improvements to US Route 50 our organization is advocating the extension of Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Corridor O from I-68 near Cumberland, MD to Corridor H in West Virginia.

ADHS Corridor O is US Route 220 and coincides with US 50 for a few miles in West Virginia.

We are requesting your legislators to co-sponsor HR 4827 in the House and introduce similar legislation in the Senate as was done in the 109th Congress as HR 5031 and S 719.

HR 4827 was introduced in December of 2007 by Congressman Alan Mollohan (D-WV) and we have just learned Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) has agreed to co-sponsor it in the House.

If nothing can be accomplish this legislative session we request this be incorporated in the SAFE-TEA LU re-authorization legislation next year.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and we hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

David Moe