MEASURES DISCUSSED — Among the items discussed by the Weirton Traffic Commission Thursday was a concern about speeding on Weir Avenue, with the commission recommending the installation of additional signage as well as a new cross walk and other measures near the street’s intersection with South 11th Street. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Members of the Weirton Traffic Commission focused much of their meeting Thursday on speed and safety concerns along Weir Avenue, following recent reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle in the area recently.

“I’ve had numerous complaints of speeding,” noted Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, whose ward includes Weir Avenue following a municipal redistricting in 2023.

As part of the efforts recommended by the Traffic Commission, a work order will be issued to the city’s Public Works Department to purchase and install additional speed limit signs along Weir Avenue.

The street currently has a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, with four signs posted in the northbound lane and another three posted in the southbound lanes, according to a review through Google Maps.

Focusing on the intersection of Weir Avenue and South 11th Street, near where the pedestrian was struck, the commission recommended an ordinance be adopted for Public Works to install a cross walk, on the south side of the intersection, as well as “stop bars” to be painted at each of the three stops signs already existing at the intersection.

Officials in attendance Thursday agreed there is a problem with speeding on Weir Avenue.

“I can tell you right now, people are speeding there,” Police Chief Charlie Kush said, adding he has seen reports of individuals reaching 50 miles per hour.

Stead agreed, acknowledging that while he was working for the police department, he would be stationed along Weir Avenue and catch people driving 35 to 45 miles per hour on the street.

The councilman speculated much of the concern was resulting from people attempting to bypass traffic in the city’s downtown, with officials noting those efforts are likely to increase if a previously announced project to replace the Overhead Bridge moves forward.

Stead initially made additional requests to the commission concerning Weir Avenue.

In addition to the speed limit signs and the crosswalk at South 11th Street, he also asked about a second crosswalk at the Weir Avenue and Lee Avenue intersection, and the possibility of installing speed bumps on the southbound lane of Weir Avenue near the South 11th Street intersection.

“I’m just doing my due diligence,” Stead said.

Public Works Director Allen Hess explained there have been several requests for speed bumps in the city in recent years, and he has come out against them the majority of the time.

“Speed bumps create a liability for the city,” Hess said, noting they create obstacles for snowplows and other large vehicles used by the municipality’s services.

Ward 2 Councilman Ralph Cunningham, who was in attendance Thursday on other matters before the commission, asked about rumble strips, with Hess noting the installation of such traffic controls are estimated to cost $5,000 each.

He said the city had tried the use of rumble strips on School Street and had to replace them twice in just the last few years.