New Cumberland Council receives update on Route 2 project
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- A long-discussed road project through New Cumberland could begin construction next spring, according to officials with the West Virginia Division of Highways.
DOH representatives were in attendance at Monday's meeting of New Cumberland Council, presenting some of the latest plans for a realignment of state Route 2 through the community.
"We had two goals after the last meeting," Travis Long, director of technology and support services for WVDOH, explained, referring to previous discussions with city officials.
Among recent changes to the designs were to eliminate any impact to the city's pump station near Adams Street and to reduce the impact to the New Cumberland City Park.
The DOH selected its initial design, labeled as Alternative 4, in the summer of 2020, following years of lobbying by area residents and officials, public hearings. Alternative 4 involves taking Route 2 along its current path on Ridge Avenue, down Stone Hill to a point on the current Madison Street, then diverting to a new path running parallel to the railroad tracks before meeting back up with the current Route 2 just north of the New Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department.
"We're eliminating the crossings, but leaving the railroad tracks," Long said.
DOH officials, Monday, noted the plan still would require using up to half-an-acre of the park, but they are looking at possible deals which could acquire adjacent property to ensure land would be available for the park. Long asked council for a letter of support for the plan, saying the state would like to complete designs by this fall and advertise for bids by the spring. Construction could take a little over a year, Long said.
Members of council and other city officials, Monday, expressed some concern, including future responsibility for the maintenance of Stone Hill, which Police Chief Lester Skinner said has always fallen to the city despite Route 2 being a state road.
Water Operator Pat Jones noted there would be a need to relocate utility lines for the northern end of the project, but Long said the DOH would take care of such work.
George Hines, community service director, asked about whether the road was being designed to accommodate higher traffic numbers, especially with large trucks, noting rumors of potential business development near Newell.
"It sounds like factory-type things," Hines said. "There'll be more truck traffic coming through town."
Mayor Will White reported a council work session would be held at 4:30 p.m., Aug. 16, with members of council suggesting the topic be included on the agenda. White said, if council agrees, the support letter would be drafted the next day.
In other business, council approved:
Draw 14 for the city's sewer project of $175,658.40, and Draw 17 for the water project of $87,240.65;
Approved the awarding of Yard of the Month to Dale and Diane Matics;
Appointed Penny Spilecki and Nick Nolder to the city's Water and Sewer Board;
Heard of plans for a Back-to-School Fun Day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 14 at City Park, with bounce houses, food, games, vendors, music and more. Council agreed to contribute $200 for the event.