The Wheeling Traffic Commission has recommended City Council approve the addition of a bus shelter near Warwood Commons, home to businesses such as the Save-A-Lot grocery store, Dollar General and McDonald's.
Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge made the request in April, but commissioners tabled the matter after asking Tom Hvizdos, Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority executive director, to seek input from his board on whether buses could pull directly into the Save-A-Lot parking area instead. The issue came up again during the commission's Thursday meeting.
Commissioner Patrick Duffy said many people who shop at the Save-A-Lot are elderly or disabled, and having to walk while carrying groceries to catch the bus is a concern for them.
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Photo by Ian Hicks
The Wheeling Traffic Commission on Thursday approved this spot in front of the Warwood Save-A-Lot for a new bus shelter.
But Hvizdos said because of their size, the buses are too large to navigate the parking lot safely and likely would have to run over curbs and make wide turns into opposing lanes of traffic to enter and exit the lot.
"I just can't foresee our buses entering that location. ... I'm not sure there is a perfect solution to this question," said Hvizdos.
Another idea was to move the proposed shelter farther north, closer to McDonald's, but commissioners agreed most of the people who use public transportation to get to Warwood Commons probably are Save-A-Lot shoppers. That proposed location is about 360 feet from the grocery store's entrance.
Birch then suggested a location near the fence at the northeast corner of Centre Foundry's property, noting the shoulder there is wider than any other point in front of the plaza and it wouldn't take much work to make that spot suitable for a bus shelter. Commissioners unanimously approved that location, provided Centre Foundry raises no serious objections.
The commission also approved moving two bus stops on opposite sides of Washington Avenue.
The one on the north side would move directly in front of Hole N' Run, while the one on the south side would move to directly in front of the plaza where Greco's Italian Restaurant and Convenient True Value Hardware are located.
Other items passed that now will go before City Council for final approval include:
- Requests for handicapped parking spaces by Sandra Ward and Joice Williams of 1067 and 1069 Hil-Dar St., respectively, in front of those residences.
- A no-parking zone from the intersection of Pine and Heiskell avenues to a telephone pole about 40 feet from the intersection.
