EMAIL RESPONSE LETTER TO PROPOSAL FOR ROAD REPAIR STOPPING 1/2 MILE SHORT OF COMPLETION
From: BrodsMls@aol.com
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 20:09:27 EDT
Subject: Re: Pricketts Creek Rd.
To: BrodsMls@aol.com, mikeumwa@aol.com, hestonmcrkhest@aol.com, Llongstreth43@aol.com, tmanchin@manchin-aloi.com, michael.j.roncone@wv.gov
CC: CongressmanMollohan@mail.house.gov, Governor@WVGov.org, dot.info@wv.gov, dot.secretary@wv.gov
Hi All,
This is Melissa Brodsky, resident of Tunnel Hollow Rd. and one of the "Fix The Road!" voices. ( http://www.fixtheroad.blogspot.com/ )
I wanted to thank all of you that are taking your valuable time and focus to help propel the efforts to permanently repair Prickett's Creek rd ( CR 80 ) and Tunnel Hollow rd ( CR 31/11). Your concern in this matter is much appreciated.
As discussed in our last meeting with Mike Roncone- DOH, and delegates Mike Caputo, Linda Longstreth and Tim Manchin as well as residents Carrie Heston, Melissa Brodsky and Stella Barnett, attempts to temporarily patch the roads and ease the dangerous and bone jarring travel conditions have been made.
The resident's of Pricket's Creek, Tunnel Hollow and surrounding roads offer our gratitude to Mr. Roncone for expediting the temporary patching! Thank you.
Tunnel Hollow rd ditches have been cleared, most of the largest pot holes have been filled with crush run and several of the road heaves have been graded. The heavily damaged road/entrance site from the winter logging project is MUCH better and the large mud heaves from logging tire tracks along the side of the road have been graded as well. The road is passable now and the efforts are appreciated.
Prickett's Creek rd has had several of the pot holes filled with crush run and some of the road heaves have been graded. We assume the DOH is momentarily distracted by other projects and intends to return to the temporary patching on Prickett's Creek rd as much of it remains in extreme disrepair with large, damaging potholes, heaves and road cracks. We DO appreciate the temporary patching to date and look forward to further attention.
Of course as we all understood would happen, the temporary crush run patching is being kicked or washed out by passing cars or rain, so we are all eagerly anticipating the permanent repairs!
PLEASE take note that the last and most in dire need of repair half mile of Tunnel Hollow rd is NOT included in the permanent repairs and desperately needs to be. Without including this last half mile, the permanent repair project to these roads is INCOMPLETE. ( As per M. Roncone email: "The project would start at Grassy Run and end somewhere near Melissa Brodsky’s house as was earlier projected )."
The last half mile of Tunnel Hollow rd. from my house to Rt 310/ East Grafton Rd, is the nearest and most accessible entry and exit for the Rock Lake Volunteer Fire Department that services this area in emergency situations, is heavily traveled by residents either driving to the popularly shopped Grafton Wal-Mart, leaving and returning to work or pursing outdoor sporting in and around the nearby Valley Falls State Park as well as being the only other exit/entrance to/from the local residents houses when the Low Water Bridge is flooded -as it often is.
DOH representative Mike Roncone has asserted that the steep hill in the last half mile of Tunnel Hollow cannot be permanently repaired with tar and chip resurfacing and that the local population does not justify the cost of such a repair.
The residents disagree with this as there are several local examples of same or similar steep roads with excessive water drainage and are less populated than Tunnel Hollow rd that have recently been paved- the closest one In particular being Cherry Hill off Bunner's Ridge Road.
The residents that live along and travel Tunnel Hollow rd respectfully request the last half mile of Tunnel Hollow from my house to Rt 310/East Grafton rd receive equal permanent road repair treatment as the aforementioned project that ".... would start at Grassy Run and end somewhere near Melissa Brodsky’s house as was earlier projected" in order for the project to be complete and properly executed. Anything less is unacceptable.
Note that the local residents have offered to chip in skilled labor and privately owned heavy equipment free of charge to ease the financial burden and expedite the project but have been gently refused on the grounds that proper procedure is to accept public bids, etc., however if there are any offered resources that can be helpful, our offer still stands.
Thank you all again for all of your time and effort. Prickett's Creek, Tunnel Hollow and surrounding road's residents look forward to seeing this project to fruition in a timely manner.
Melissa Brodsky and Carrie Heston, Resident/Concerned Citizens Taking Action
Rt. 4 Box 569 B, Tunnel Hollow Rd. ( CR 31/11)
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 366-1420 home
(304) 282-2260 cell
brodsmls@aol.com
http://www.fixtheroad.blogspot.com/
