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Traffic Tops Discussion at City Council Meeting: Truckers, Residents Voice Opinions on Rerouting Plan

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 February 2006, 09:00 CST

By Gary Gray, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Feb. 1--THE MORGANTOWN City Council meets in regular session at 7:30 Tuesday in council chambers at 389 Spruce St. Morgantown City Council chambers became a stage for strong public debate Tuesday about whether or not the city should go forward with a proposal to reroute heavy truck traffic away from downtown. About 50 local trucking company owners -- most of whom deliver limestone for Greer Limestone Co. -- want the proposal dropped. The concern has centered on the noise, pollution and congestion caused by heavy trucks laden with limestone and coal that cut through downtown on W.Va. 7 and other routes to their destinations. The city proposed rerouting the traffic to Green Bag Road or to Interstate 68. But there is no specific plan before council for approval, and it is uncertain when action might be taken on the matter. Jim Manilla, Morgantown deputy mayor, presided over the two-sided argument and gave each side 10 minutes to speak. Robert Swiger, a 13-year employee of Greer Limestone, said the ordinance would result in a loss of jobs. "The limestone we transport is taken to barges, and taking an alternate route means an additional 6.6 miles round trip," he said. "When you consider fuel costs, this would make us less competitive." Jeff Shisler, owner of HJ&J Trucking in Morgantown and a contractor for Greer Limestone, agreed with Swiger. "They're trying to run the trucks out of town," he said. "I don't like what they've been saying. I've probably spent $15,000 in Morgantown on fuel and oil, and we've been running that route for 23 years." Dan Boroff, Morgantown city manager, has said that trucks hauling material from Greer Limestone Co. account for about 80 percent of the heavy trucks that travel through town. "We have to get our product to market," said John Raese, a co-owner of Greer Industries, which owns West Virginia Radio Corporation, limestone, asphalt and steel industries in the state, and West Virginia Newspaper Publishing Corporation, which publishes The Dominion Post. "I'd like consideration for a company that's been here since 1917 providing for our family and West Virginia. If you want to go to a place where you won't see any truck traffic, go to Weirton," he said about the oncethriving steel town. Raese also is among the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in the May primary with hopes of challenging Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., for his senate seat. Those wanting the city to do something about the traffic also voiced their opinions. "I own and operate two businesses -- both on Walnut Street," said Gary Tannebaum, of Morgantown. "I really believe the city would benefit from the rerouting. I've seen people completely covered in diesel smoke on Walnut Street. "I really feel sorry for the people that live along Brockway Avenue. I believe it's in our best interest to save our lungs and ears as well as our life and limb." Bill Reger-Nash, another Morgantown resident, said he realized the truckers' jobs were not easy and that they worked hard for their money. But he still asked council to go forward with the ordinance. "Every major city has a truck bypass," he said. "There's no reason Morgantown can't have one." Manilla said that Boroff, and representatives from the state Division of Highways and Greer Industries, met about three weeks ago to talk about the situation, including possible alternative routes. The city also hired Steptoe & Johnson of Morgantown to research state and federal laws regarding jurisdiction of traffic. In October, the DOH concluded, based on information from its legal department, that the state did not have the authority to ban the trucks. Instead, the DOH suggested the city document "efficiencies or accident rates, speed and other factors" for further review.

In response, Councilman Bill Byrne, who initiated the move to reroute the heavy trucks, asked Robert Bastress, a WVU law professor, to look into the matter. Bastress informed council that state code (17C-17-12 subsection c) specifically authorizes the city to prohibit the movement of certain vehicles within the Morgantown city limits.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)

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