WELLSBURG — The impact of ongoing work on and around the Veterans Memorial Bridge and the upcoming opening of the county’s new ambulance station were among matters before the Brooke County Commission on Tuesday.

The commission heard from Richard Ferguson, a former Brooke County sheriff, who said better communication is needed between state highway officials and officials at the local level in dealing with traffic issues surrounding the bridge.

He noted that at various times in the last few years, the bridge between Steubenville and Weirton has been reduced to one lane in each direction and ramps have been closed to accommodate repairs and maintenance performed on the span.

Ferguson said drivers have contributed to unsafe conditions, particularly during peak traffic periods.

“Vehicles are moving too fast, and courtesy is lacking,” he said.

But Ferguson said more police presence is needed to deter speeding. He noted when state Route 2 was closed for an expansion project north of Follansbee, an officer was included in the contract to monitor traffic along the detour.

He suggested members of various law enforcement agencies could be positioned on or near the bridge.

“You have the manpower if you have to go into city police, State Police, Hancock County, whatever,” said Ferguson.

Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty said he lacks the deputies to monitor the bridge during at least two hours of heavy traffic each day.

He said he’s been attempting to expand his department, which currently has 16 full-time officers, but has had few applicants.

Beatty said Weirton Police initially were contracted by the state Division of Highways to monitor the bridge, but that contract has since expired.

He said he has offered his department’s services, but he’s not heard from state officials. He added the cost for additional police patrols during a road project must be included in its contract from the start.

A few people attending Tuesday’s meeting said the addition of a tow truck on the span appears to be a response by the state to the many accidents that have occurred since the work began.

County Commissioner Tom Diserio noted the truck allows a disabled vehicle to be removed more promptly, shortening traffic tie-ups through that area.

But Diserio said changes in traffic patterns during the bridge work have created confusion for many drivers approaching it.

“The (orange) barrels change quite frequently,” he said.

Diserio and County Commissioner Stacey Wise said clearer signs are needed to alert drivers on the interstate route well in advance of closed lanes or ramps.

This summer, state officials announced the span would be closed late at night on a few weekends to accommodate the work.

Officials with the West Virginia Division of Highways couldn’t be reached for comment.

In other business, the commission announced the county’s new ambulance station will be open soon, with an open house for the public set for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 14.

Located on Pleasant Avenue near state Route 2 in the northern end of Wellsburg, the station will replace ambulance stations along state Route 2 at Follansbee’s north end and in the Marshall Terrace area near state Route 67.

The commissioners said after the new station opens, the one in Follansbee will be torn down while the Marshall Terrace building may be used for storage.

The Waller Corp. is the contractor for the $2 million project, which was designed by the Thrasher Group.

The new station has four bays, two offices, a combined training and conference room and four sleeping quarters.

In related business, the commission approved a $5,750 monthly agreement with AT&T Services Diserio said will improve communications for the county’s emergency 911 center.

Diserio, who once served as a dispatcher in the center, said land lines currently used by the center will be replaced with a digital, cloud-based system that also will enable the 911 center to receive emergency calls sent by text.

He added the agreement includes 911 centers in Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties and will enable each to maintain communications through one of the others in the event a 911 center must be evacuated.

During the 2004 flood, when the first floor of the county courthouse was flooded, dispatchers were transported in small boats to the building, where they ascended stairs to the 911 center on its third floor.

The commission also was advised a $16,240 grant through the West Virginia Emergency Management Division was secured for new software for the courthouse’s computer system by Adrienne Ward, former county administrator now working as an independent grant writer for the county.