×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Make Two-Mile Hill Travel Safer

Common sense would seem to indicate that lowering the speed limit on the notorious Two-Mile Hill section of Interstate 70 in Ohio County would reduce the frequency of accidents there. It does not seem to have worked out as well as had been hoped, however.

Pressure from former Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler helped convince state officials to lower the speed limit on Two-Mile Hill to 65 mph, down from 70 mph. But accidents, some severe, continue to occur there.

Current Sheriff Tom Howard worries that reducing the limit even more could be counterproductive. Some motorists would obey the law. Others, including truckers, would not. That could cause accidents.

Howard has some good ideas, however, as he explained to our reporter. They include better digital signs, to ensure motorists are aware of the speed limit and the hazards of Two-Mile Hill.

Another excellent suggestion is to add fill dirt to the median, which has a substantial dip between the two paved areas. That could reduce the severity of accidents that occur when vehicles, especially big trucks, go off the road and into the median.

Finally, Howard wants help with enforcement of the speed limit. A trip through the Two-Mile Hill section of I-70 discloses there are very few places where law enforcement cruisers can be parked and/or turned around safely. More of them should be added, Howard believes.

He is right on all counts.

These things cost money, of course. State Division of Highways officials already are scrambling for every dime they can lay their hands on, in order to repair secondary roads throughout West Virginia. No doubt they would not be pleased to see Howard coming, hat in hand, with a request that they spend more on I-70.

Nevertheless, he picked a good time to voice his concerns. State officials are planning a massive bridge and pavement replacement project on I-70. Adding Howard’s suggestions to the list of work could get it done at far less cost than as a free-standing project.

DOH officials should consider the sheriff’s ideas. They have the potential to save lives.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today