Follansbee’s signal appeal fails to convince WVDOT

FOLLANSBEE -- After failing to convince state highway officials of the need for four traffic signals along Main Street, city officials hope to find more sympathetic ears among Gov. Jim Justice and state legislators.

In July, council agreed to write officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation asking them to reconsider plans to remove four four-way traffic signals at the intersections of Main Street (part of state Route 2) and State, Main and Raymond streets and the former coke plant at the city's north end.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. said changes in recent months to the signals, including flashing yellow and red lights at State Street and bagged signals at Ohio Street, have encouraged speeding, making it difficult for pedestrians to safely cross and drivers from the side streets to enter the flow of traffic.

On Monday, Velegol said a meeting with state highway officials had been sought but instead, the city received a letter denying its request.

He shared a letter signed by Jimmy Wriston, state Secretary of Transportation, who said WVDOT follows the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which he said sets national standards for implementing and operating traffic control devices on all roadways used by the public.

Wriston said the manual states for a traffic signal to be established for a side street, "there must be a minimum of 53 vehicles per hour on a side street approach for eight hours during a given day."

"The existing side street volumes at State, Ohio and Raymond streets, as well as the former coke plant intersection, fall far below this requirement," he said.

Wriston said the highest observed hourly volume on State and Ohio streets was 24 vehicles, with fewer than 20 counted in several of the 11 hours in which they were observed; 33 vehicles on Raymond Street, with fewer than 20 observed in three of the 11 hours; and 25 vehicles near the coke plant, with fewer than 5 observed during nine of the 11 hours.

Wriston said, "Traffic signals are not intended to serve the purposes described in your letter. Studies have shown that unwarranted traffic signals can lead to undesirable effects on traffic. These effects could increase higher crash rates compared to unsignalized control, increased fuel usage and emissions due to unnecessary delay, or increased red-light running and disobeying the traffic signal."

He suggested the city increase police patrols of the street to ensure posted speed limits are obeyed and suggested "current operating speeds can be collected along Main Street through the city to ensure the current posted speed limits are still appropriate for the current traffic conditions."

Wriston said pedestrian crossings also could be studied to determine if additional crosswalks, crossing signals and signs are needed.

In response, Velegol said, "This is the right time to start calling state representatives."

He added residents may be invited to sign a petition supporting maintenance of the traffic signals.

Following the meeting, Velegol said, "I just think it's a wrong move from a safety standpoint. I'm shocked they would eliminate the one by the post office. You're asking for an accident to happen."

"We're going to get this turned around. All boots on the ground," he said.

City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo said decisions regarding the signals are premature as the city anticipates the construction of three warehouses at the city's south end by Empire Diversified Energy and other development elsewhere.

The company is developing a port along the Ohio River near the former coke plant and with increased business there, more traffic is expected.

City Police Chief Larry Rea said the traffic counts cited by Wriston have no bearing on pedestrians.

"Somebody trying to cross that street is still at peril," he said.

First Ward Councilwoman Tammy Johnson was among some who expressed doubt state officials can be dissuaded, saying, "It doesn't matter what we do."

DiBartolomeo told her, "It does matter. You have impact whether you realize it or not."

"Safety is always a concern whether it's in the manual or not," he told council.

Adopted in the 1960s by the Federal Highway Administration, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is scheduled to be updated every four years but has been delayed this year because the agency has received thousands of public comments.

Such comments have originated from groups who argue it discriminates against bicyclists and pedestrians, setting high standards for crosswalks; and encourages unsafe conditions through its 85th percentile standard for speed limits, which is the speed most drivers are traveling on a given roadway, rounded to the next 5 miles per hour.

Among those launching such criticism are the National Association of City Transportation Officials, the League of American Bicyclists, the National League of Cities, the National Safety Council and America Walks.

Council also heard from resident Beverly Sizemore, who said she's observed drivers ignoring stopped school buses, with their stop sign extended and flashing lights activated, at her granddaughter's bus stop near Highland Hills and Par 3 drives.

DiBartolomeo said the school bus driver should be reporting it.

City Police Capt. Rick Reinard said if there's video of the violating drivers, the city police department can pursue their prosecution.

Johnson again raised concerns about a lack of lighting at the south end of Main Street and on side streets.

Velegol said the city so far has secured $700,000 for new street lights, only enough to replace the poles, conduit and surrounding sidewalks from the 800 block of Main Street to Raymond Street.

Until then, temporary solar lights have been installed on the poles there.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich suggested purchasing more solar lights for the south end, while Johnson was encouraged to report any lights that were out.

Johnson also complained of cars being parked on sidewalks, hindering pedestrians; and high grass and trash in some yards.

Some have argued the vehicles' owners must park on sidewalks at the south end of Main Street to prevent them from being struck by passing vehicles. In an effort to address that, city officials created a parking lot used by some residents there.

Rea said while there's an ordinance against parking on the sidewalks, some tweaking is needed to better enforce it.

Velegol said property owners guilty of high grass or loose trash can be fined $100 to $500 for the violations of the city's "clean and wholesome" ordinance.

Johnson said often the guilty parties clean up their yards after they are summoned to court, then violate the ordinance again.

DiBartolomeo suggested hiring a code enforcement officer to write citations for such violations instead of employing city police for that task.

"Let the cops do what cops are supposed to do," he said.

Velegol said, "Let's look at the budget and see if there's money there."

In other business:

• DiBartolomeo said he's working to ensure business and occupation taxes and various fees are being collected so the city has funds for street paving and other projects.

He estimated the city has lost $30,000 in fees for garbage pickups from Dumpsters because some businesses haven't paid for larger or additional bins they have acquired.

• Councilman at large John Casinelli questioned the hiring over the last several months of office staff without council's approval. He said the city's procedure has been to post a position to current employees and then, advertise it to the public.

Casinelli said that's not always occurred, though he doesn't doubt the abilities of the new hires.

Velegol said a special meeting should be held to discuss that further.

• Council approved trick or treating hours of 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Denise Arthurs said she and other volunteers behind the city's Christmas lightup event are finalizing plans for the Dec. 2 event. She said they include a short parade on Main Street involving the Brooke High School band and cheerleaders and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

• Council's next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. next Monday at the City Building.