November 2007 Minutes

November 21^st, 2007

Recorded Attendees: Gary Howell – Mineral County, Wayne Spiggle-Mineral County Commission, Charlie Baker – Hampshire County Planner, Ken Musgrave – Mineral County, Bill Woods – WVDOH Charleston, Clyde Burdock – Mineral county Planning Commission, Evelyn Baker – Hampshire County, Miranda L. Kessel – Congresswoman Capito’s Office, Eileen Johnson – City of Romney, Marc Bashoor – Mineral County OEM, Brian Carr – WVDOH Charleston, Eric Goff – Berkeley County.

Introductions: Mineral County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle made the introductions welcoming everyone to the meeting so close to the holiday. He especially thanked Bill Woods and Brian Carr from WVDOH Charleston for making every meeting.

Correspondence: Wayne Spiggle received a letter from a gun owner stating that they were required to unload their weapon when traveling US 50, and wanted to know of they group could lobby for gun rights. Several people responded that the person needed to get a WV concealed carry permit. Commission Spiggle stated he would relay the information to the person.

Old Business: At the September meeting Charlie Baker informed the WVDOH that Hampshire County was told that if they decided to fund a project that WVDOH could not guarantee that the money would be used on that project. At the time it was believed this was a miscommunication.

Brian Carr of WVDOH went on to state this was definitely a miscommunication. If Hampshire County or any county wished to fund a project, then they could and WVDOH would use that money for only that project. 100% of the funding would have to be provided by the county. The county would have to enter into a contract with WVDOH that spelled out what each was responsible, including cost over runs.

Gary Howell asked if Federal matching funds could be used if available. Bill Woods of WVDOH replied, “They could be used but it would be unlikely any would be available.” Federal matching funds will pay 80% of the cost of a project when available.

Since the US 50 Association is a participating agency with Federal Highway Administration on the US 220 north-south corridor a follow up on Tier 2 funding was given. At this time Maryland has funded it portion of the Tier 2 study, but West Virginia has not. According to Senator Byrd’s office the request for funding needs to come from the governor’s office.

It was decided that Gary Howell should draft a letter requesting the governor ask for the funding from the states Senators and Congressmen with copies going to all parties. If the WV portion of the funding is secured, it will allow the Tier 2 study to start as soon at the Tier 1 study is completed. The Tier 1 study is currently underway.

Cate Johnson of Congressman Mollohan’s office sent notice that the Corridor-O bill had not been reintroduced. She was not a liberty to neither confirm nor deny that the bill would be introduced this session. The Corridor-O bill would make the US 220 north-south corridor part of the Appalachian Development Highway System. This would allow a different funding source for earlier completion of a 4-lane US 220 connecting Corridor-H to I-68.

New Business: The recent fatal collision on US 50 in Mineral County was discussed. Again GPS Navigation Systems were blamed for putting additional traffic on the routes. It was stated that the GPS does not account for the condition of the road the drivers are faced with.

The group asked Gary Howell and Marc Bashoor to look into warning signs that could be placed at the intersection of US 220 and US 50, and I-79 near Clarksburg to warn driver that US 50 is not built to modern standards and the alternative Route US 220, I-68, and I-79 between New Creek and Clarksburg should be used for through traffic.

November Meeting:

Grant County is next on the schedule to host the January 16th meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:41.