CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMUNITY OF CHESAPEAKE, WB

 I would like to invite you to visit our town and experience what we have to live with.  Try washing your house or car and within one week rinse it again and watch the black residue roll. Outdoor furniture, driveways, and streets are covered with dirt and coal dust. Our roads are destroyed and filled with potholes or patches. Worst of all is the coal dust that is breathed.  You cannot sit on your porch and hold a decent conversation because of the noise. We have determined that there are at least 400 coal trucks through our town each day. (How many go through Charleston?)
 
There is a simple solution to eliminate the problems caused by these trucks through our town.  The West Virginia Turnpike has exit ramps that lead to the primary distribution points for the trucks. Utilizing the West Virginia Turnpike would remove these trucks from our town therefore eliminating the environmental, health and safety concerns created by these trucks going through our town.
 
At one time I was told that since the WV Turnpike was part of the Federal Interstate System, the trucks could not utilize the Turnpike because of the weight limits imposed on the Interstate roadways. I was told by State of WV officials that this would take a Federal approval to allow this to happen.  Shelly Moore Capito introduced legislation on two separate occasions but both bills died in committee.
 
I later began a follow-up investigation looking for ways to improve the living conditions for the citizens that I and each of you have taken an oath to serve.  Future investigation has determined that the State of West Virginia has the legal right to make the change necessary to reduce the unsafe, unhealthy, and environmental unfriendly situation caused by the 400 trucks per day that move through our town.  In my research I have found that the West Virginia Turnpike has a separate status from other Interstate Highways (could be because it is subsidized mainly with toll monies?). If you will look at:
                                                         
                                                                        West Virginia Division of Highways
                                                                     Administrative Operating Procedures
                                                                         Section III  Chapter 13
                               I.  Special Title: Accounting
                              II.  Policies
                                         Sub section E.   West Virginia Turnpike
 
In this subsection you will find data about the governing of the West Virginia Turnpike which includes that there is no established weight limit on the turnpike.
 
Given this information, the Governor and West Virginia Legislature has the ability and the moral obligation to include the section of the West Virginia Turnpike from Chelyan (exit 85)  to Marmet (exit 89) in the designated coal hauling system therefore allowing these trucks to travel more expediently and safer along terrain that is not inhabited.  This action would not only allow the truckers to make better use of their time and use less fuel but would also reduce the noise, dirt, coal dust, and safety concerns for drivers and children within our town.  Another concern is the highway between Chelyan and Chesapeake (WV 61).  This road is almost into the river, power poles are leaning at nearly 45 degree angle.  This is going to have to be addressed in the future and a lot sooner if the trucks continue to use it.

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