After four years of research, studies and letters from concerned citizens and officials, the intersection at U.S. Route 50 and Davisson Run Road will be getting a new traffic signal.
"It will be fine," said Christie Magruder, pharmacy technician for Rite Aid Pharmacy. "It might irritate a lot of people to have to stop on the highway though."
The bids for the new traffic light will be in by July 10 and the work should be completed within six months, said Dean Chipps, traffic engineer for the state Department of Transportation.
The intersection currently has flashing yellow lights and advance warning signs with a 45 mph speed limit.
"The intersection has been continuously monitored over the years," said Chipps. "The results now indicate that the traffic volume meets the requirements for the installation of a traffic signal."
Liberty High School and the United Hospital Center are both on Davisson Run Road.
Clarksburg's Paul Hamrick was one of the main forces behind the push for a traffic signal. Hamrick also is the director of Harrison County's solid waste authority.
"The intersection is a heavy traffic area that has been the site for many accidents and fatalities," Hamrick said.
"Since 1997, when I first approached the Harrison County Commission about the intersection, there had been 15 fatalities," said Hamrick. "Since then, there has been three more."
"Hallelujah!" county Commissioner Roger Diaz said after receiving the news on the traffic signal. "I am pleased. The signal has been needed for quite some time."
Staff writer Tina Canon can be reached at 626-1404 or by e-mail at tcanon@exponent-telegram.com.
