New roads or major extensions to roads, in Bridgeport, or any city, are not common. However, the city is currently looking into the possibility of one that officials believe is needed.

 

Recently, Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth mentioned the city looking into extending Forrester Boulevard. The extension, which would intersect Route 131 (Benedum Drive), would provide a second entrance and exit point to The Bridge.

 

Although this has been discussed in the past, there is a bit more urgency involved with the extension. The reason for that involves the West Virginia Division of Highway’s multi-phased, and multi-million-dollar widening of Route 131 from its intersection with Main Street to the ramps of Jerry Dove Drive. The WVDOH is currently putting plans together for the road and the extension of Forrester would require the addition of turning lanes in that area, which would require the WVDOH to modify plans if already done for that area.

 

The property where Forrester Drive would be extended is part of the Charles Pointe development. Genesis Partners, the developer of Charles Pointe, has been helpful in the process.

 

“We have had conversations with individuals at Genesis Partners, and the discussion has focused on with the widening of Route 131 moving forward and taking off, the time look into doing this would be now,” said Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth.

 

The extended roadway would serve more than one purpose. Foremost, said Shuttleworth, it would provide a second access point in the event of an emergency or if Forrester Boulevard would be blocked at its current entrance from Route 131.

 

“Right now, if you needed to evacuate from The Bridge, it would be harder to move a lot of people quickly because you have one access point,” said Shuttleworth. “The other thing it would provide a bit of help would be from a traffic standpoint.”

 

Currently, the plan is to go from Route 131 to the area where Forrester Boulevard ends now, which is near the entrance to both the Citynet Center and the outdoor baseball field complex. Talks in the past have focused on taking that extension all the way to Jerry Dove Drive, which would provide significant traffic relief. However, that – if it happens – would be after this happens.

 

“We have also had preliminary discussion with the DOH,” said Shuttleworth. “The turning lanes on their project require more property and Genesis Partners offered to donate the property needed for the turning lanes. That helps, but the city must pay for the cost of the turning lanes and for modifying plans.”

 

Shuttleworth said an estimate is expected from the state. He also said the city would have to cover the cost of the entire roadway extension, which would be two lanes covering approximately half a mile, Shuttleworth estimated.

 

“This could come with a significant price tag. We will have to get that price tag and weigh the cost versus benefit,” Shuttleworth said. “If this will be done, the time to do it is now because of the planning taking place. Everyone is aware there is timeliness to this.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows area just off Route 131 where road extension would begin from the main roadway. Bottom image is of Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth.