As development has increased along Route 131 due to new development just off of Interstate 79 and from the new backside entrance to White Oaks, so too have the number of accidents. Now, officials with the West Virginia Division of Highways are hoping to chance that.

 

According to DOH District 4 Construction Engineer Jason Nelson, traffic signals will soon be installed. In fact, the project has been bid out and also awarded.

 

“Bids were opened April 11,” said Nelson.

 

West Virginia Signal and Light out of Kenna was the low bidder. The Jackson County company won the work with a bid of $377,000.

 

Only one other company bid on the project. The second bid was for $390,000.

 

“Traffic signals, at least in our line of work, are still considered a specialty item,” said Nelson. “Having a small number of bids is not unusual or alarming.”

 

Many in the community have been concerned about a traffic signal near the intersection where the still relatively new White Oaks Boulevard enters on to Route 131 at the intersection to the Black Bear Express and BFS Specialties gas stations (South Wedge Street) are located.

 

Nelson said the project, however, isn’t just for a traffic signal at that location. He added that due to the increase in traffic along that area of Route 131 that there will be two additional traffic signals along with the signal coming out of White Oaks Boulevard.

 

“As part of this project, there were will be three intersections getting traffic signals,” said Nelson.

 

As some may have guessed, the other two signals will be at the southbound and northbound on and off ramps of Interstate 79 at the intersection with Route 131. Development has already occurred near that area on the southbound side, while development is taking place on the northbound side as the new Freedom Kia Dealership is being built.

 

“With all three of the signals relatively close together, they’ll be coordinated with one another,” said Nelson. “That way they are not working against one another.”

 

Nelson said he anticipates work to begin early to mid-May. The only thing that could hold it up slightly would be the need to order specific poles, which could be determined in the pre-construction meeting. Even if that happens, the delay would only be a few additional days.

 

“The drilling of the foundation should begin in the mid-May time period at the latest. It’s typically 30 days out from the time the bid is awarded and it’s already been awarded,” said Nelson.

 

For those worrying about traffic delays, Nelson said there will be very few involved with this project. The foundation work should not create an issue as it will be done on the shoulder of the roadway, while most of the remaining work will also be done in areas that should not impact traffic flow at all or minimal at best.

 

“The biggest delay you’ll see with this is when the contractor goes to run the span line for the signals. We’ll have to stop traffic for that, but you’re looking at probably a 15-minute stoppage and it’s only going to be a few times with each signal,” said Nelson. “Traffic issues with this project should be sporadic at worst.”

 

Nelson said the project is not a typically funded project either. He said the developers of White Oaks, High Tech Corridor Development, is involved with funding for the project.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the exit from the two gas stations on South Wedge Street at Route 131 as the new White Oaks Boulevard is shown in the background. Middle photo is the northbound exit/entrance ramp to I-79 off Route 131, while the bottom photo is the southbound ramp where a signal will go.