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June 12, 2000
Current Progress on Route 9 and Martinsburg Bypass
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WVDOH Engineers Dave Bodnar and Matt DiGiulian discuss the Charles Town to Virginia state line section of Route 9 at the Division of Highway's central office in Charleston.
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Charleston, W. Va. - Plans for the Charles Town to Martinsburg and Charles Town to Virginia state line sections of Route 9 and the Martinsburg Bypass are progressing, according to a representative of the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH).
Randy Epperly, deputy state highway engineer, explained that WVDOH engineers are currently gathering additional information on the Charles Town to Martinsburg section of Route 9 for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to review.
"The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is an independent agency of the United States Government, located in Washington, D.C., that monitors the effects on historic properties by different types of projects," Epperly said. "In the case of the WVDOH, they review information regarding historic properties that potentially could be affected by the work that is proposed and planned for the roads of West Virginia. The Advisory Council has requested additional information about the Charleston to Martinsburg section to review and we are in the process of obtaining this information for them as quickly as possible," he said.
"This is a top priority within the Division of Highways. We understand the safety concerns, as well as traffic congestion, and we are working diligently everyday to keep this project moving forward,"
added Epperly.
On the Charles Town to Virginia state line section of Route 9, the Advisory Council is currently reviewing the Adverse Effect Finding report. "We supplied the Advisory Council with the report in March 2000. The Council has 30 days to respond, however, we have not received their comments yet. We cannot proceed until we receive these comments. But, we have received word from the Advisory Council that they will be coming very soon," said Epperly.
The Deputy State Highway Engineer added, "It's frustrating but it is out of our hands at the moment. We build highways to make communities safer, and to provide residents with a reliable and efficient transportation system. We want to move ahead on this section of Route 9, but when other agencies are behind in reviewing information, we cannot advance as quickly as we would like."
Epperly explained that plans for the Berkeley Springs to Martinsburg section of Route 9 are in the early stages of development. "We are studying this section of Route 9 and will update the public as this section progresses."
On the Martinsburg Bypass, the WVDOH is continuing to review public comments that will be used to help engineers make adjustments to the preferred alternative.
"We are taking the necessary time to review the many public comments we have received concerning the Martinsburg Bypass and to gather information that is necessary in the decision making process," he said.
Epperly continued, "Once we have gathered and reviewed the necessary information and completed the environmental documents for the preferred alignment, we will hold another public meeting on the Bypass."
For more information on any of the Route 9 projects or the Martinsburg
Bypass, look to the Division of Highway's web site dedicated to
Route 9 at www.wvroute9.com.
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