Shortly after developer Woody Thrasher announced definitive plans to extend White Oaks Boulevard all the way from Jerry Dove Drive to Route 131 near the Saltwell Road exit of Interstate 79, some individuals were voicing concern that the new influx of traffic may require new traffic controls. On Monday, Thrasher publicly eased those concerns.

 

During a 45-minute Bridgeport City Council work session focusing on progress at the sprawling White Oaks Development, Thrasher and fellow White Oaks developer Jack Keeley discussed much of what was to come. And one of the items focused on traffic control where the planned new roadway will intersect with Route 131.

 

“We definitely plan on a traffic control project happening at the intersection of White Oaks Boulevard and Route 131 as part of Phase II of the project,” said Thrasher. “We plan on providing the funding to have a stoplight on 131 as part of this overall road project.”

 

The word “plan” isn’t just lip service. On Tuesday, there was a pre-bid opening for the extension of White Oaks Boulevard. Thrasher and Keeley said bids for the road – anticipated to be $5 to $6 million as part of a $10 million project that will include development pads on surrounding acreage – will be opened May 4.

 

“We plan on initiating construction two weeks after (the bid opening) and have the road completed by the end of summer,” said Thrasher. “We’re looking at 150 days and we’d like to see the traffic signal and intersection work all done at the same time.”

 

The fact that Thrasher and Keeley plan on putting up the funds for the traffic signal doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a traffic signal. That approval still has to come from the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways.

 

However, Thrasher and Keeley are already ahead of the curve to make more than just a traffic signal happen there. They are looking at other upgrades at the new intersection, which they also plan to pay for, and believe other signals may end up being warranted as well.

 

“We also plan on widening 131 and have turning lanes to go along with the stop light,” Thrasher told Council members. “We anticipate we’ll get approval.”

 

Already, a traffic impact study has been completed and is in possession of state officials. Fouad “Fred” Shoukry, a traffic engineer with the District 4 section of DOH here in Bridgeport is aware of the study.

 

“We are in the process of getting started with looking over the study, but are results aren’t available. We are starting the review process and would hope to have something more reliable in the next few weeks,” said Shoukry. “It’s preliminary right now.”

 

David Cramer, a staff engineer with the DOH in Charleston that works out of the Commissioner’s Office of Economic Development, said the study and Shoukry’s office’s comments will eventually make it down south for their review. He said this is standard procedure with private development where the developer is looking to handle the cost of road improvements and pay for a traffic signal.

 

“We’ll review it as well and look at the proposals from signals to road widening,” said Cramer. “The impact study that has been submitted basically will show how the development will impact traffic flow at the new intersection and any surrounding intersections. We will look at it from the terms of the full build out of the development.”

 

According to Thrasher, the study that has been submitted showed that there would also be sufficient volumes of traffic flow to allow for the installation of traffic signals at both the north and south bound exit ramps of Interstate 79 at the Saltwell exit. Thrasher said he was surprised with that based on his own experiences, but said he believe the numbers clearly show that in the study. He said if the DOH agrees with that assessment as well as plans for the White Oaks Boulevard/131 intersection signal, plenty of work could take place this summer in that area.

 

“I would not be surprised if that would all be done in one fell swoop,” said Thrasher.

 

Cramer said he’s not aware of the DOH looking at the Saltwell interchange recently for signals, but said he’s certain there is traffic count information available for that area. Cramer said the study, of course, could be a game changer on what happens there.

 

“The study and the traffic counts we have allow you to do a before and after as far as impact,” said Cramer. “What that shows could change everything as far as what should be done.”

 

Cramer did say the fact that the developer is going to pay for at least one of the proposed traffic signals does make it a bit easier. In the end, however, he said it’s all about what’s needed.

 

“Sure, it’s a little different. The main thing is to see what is needed and then you worry about the funding source,” said Cramer. “As for the improvements, regardless of whether it’s needed now or will be needed due to the development, the DOH handles the highway improvements. Hopefully, we’ll have this taken care of in short order.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the layout of where the  new road will go and intersect with Route 131. In the bottom picture, Woody Thrasher, left, and Jack Keeley address Bridgeport City Council earlier this week.