Chet Parsons

March 29, 2011

There's too much traffic on Teays Valley Road! There is a need for more lanes, more lights, another interstate interchange, sidewalks, bicycle paths.

The area changed almost overnight from a rural setting to a suburban environment, and with rapid change people have different opinions on the problems of growth.

RIC -- the Regional Intergovernmental Council for Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties.-- may get public consensus in a public meeting next fall, probably at Mountain View Elementary School.

The regional agency has contracted with URS Corporation, a think tank with offices in some 40 countries, to study the problem. Chet Parsons is a senior planner at URS.

The key to many problems of growth, Parsons told Putnam Rotary today, lies in cooperation among municipal and county governments at all levels. "When we sit down with the DOT," he said, "we can speak with one voice."

The community plan is not his, he said. "I'm only the conduit." Parson's role is one of looking at options and focusing public opinion.

"This is a plan developed by all of you," he said. "We've had a number of opportunities for people to get involved. We've interviewed to find out what the priorities, the issues, are in the county. We have a steering committee through the Intergovernmental Council to give us feedback of what they are hearing."

A public meeting was well attended about a month ago at Mountain View.

There was a need for more sidewalks and lights. But the greatest problem was vehicular traffic congestion on the Teays Valley Road, and in particular at Mt. Vernon intersections, at Cow Creek, and at the intersection of Hurricane Creek Road.

In coming months, the steering committee will review options ranging from traffic signals to a new interchange on the interstate at Culloden.

A second public meeting to present the options and hear public comments will be held next fall, Parson said.

In the meantime, people are encouraged to pass along their thoughts and ideas to town, city and county officials, and on to the RIC steering committee for the Teays Valley Subarea Transportation Study.