Whether drilling activities by the oil and gas industry takes place in areas around Bridgeport residential sections occurs is an unknown. Whether the City of Bridgeport could do anything right now to stop vehicles in that industry – or any type of vehicle under any development or activity – from maneuvering at will on city streets is known.

 

“Right now there are little to no regulations in our ordinances regarding that type of activity within the city limits,” said Bridgeport Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer once City Council adjourned from an executive session during the Jan. 12 meeting.

 

Both Greer and City Manager Kim Haws said there isn’t anything specific that triggered the concern Greer broached as Council re-adjourned into a pre-meeting work session.  Rather, Haws said it’s an attempt to be proactive for anything that may come down the line.

 

“I think most of the concern is related to drilling and to make sure any potential drilling activity and its spillover, most likely traffic from vehicles on our main roads or the ancillary roads that might occur, doesn’t negatively impact the community,” said Haws.

 

Greer echoed Haws’ comments relating to a specific incident. However, he said with all of the activity in the area and increased traffic on roads such as Main Street (U.S. Route 50) the concern level has raised as development, including the rise in the fracking business, has risen.

 

“There have been some concerns raised on oil and gas development, or any development within the city, where vehicles are tracking mud and grit and who knows what across our residential streets,” said Greer. “We have reason to believe, or at least some people believe because some have approached me, that this is going to occur in the not too distant future.”

 

Greer said Council will discuss the possibility of an ordinance to protect city streets. The ordinance will differ on multiple fronts from the one the City of Morgantown recently passed banning certain truck traffic and was determined by a Kanawha County judge to be illegal. This ordinance would deal with city roads as opposed to state highways.

 

“All we’re looking to do is address the potential concerns and get out ahead of it,” said Greer.

 

The item is not included for discussion at Monday’s City Council meeting. Due to research that likely will need to be done, it may be several meetings before it is a topic of discussion for the city’s governing body.

 

Editor's Note: The above photos of truck traffic on Main Street, which is under state control, is something city officials are hoping won't spill over onto municipal streets.