By Stephen Smoot
Recent flood damage to the West Fork River Rail Trail near Shinnston has created a hazard, but users are putting themselves at risk trying to navigate it.
Karen Callow, representing Kleinfelder, a Bridgeport-based engineering firm, came to discuss rights of ingress and egress, as well as “exploratory rights of entry” for “work that needs to be done for the slide near the Rail trail
This work will also involve the West Virginia Office of Abandoned Mines and Reclamation.
Much of the work will take place near the sewer plant in Shinnston. The County Commission leases this section of land from the State Rail Authority, giving that body the right and responsibility to regulate access.
After the Commission approved access, Commissioner Patsy Trecost asked Jamie Schaffer, the project manager, for an update on efforts to restore full access to the trail.
After the flood caused the major slide, Kleinfelder expedited getting a team in place to start examining the damage and working on ways to reconstruct the landscape. While typically, getting the right personnel and equipment in place would take four to five months, Kleinfelder had a crew prepared to start last Monday.
After stabilization, the priorities will lay in repairing the damage and restoring the Rail Trail to full an unencumbered service as quickly as possible, especially with tourist season coming soon and local businesses relying on the trail for part of their patronage.
Schaeffer stated “we appreciate you approving this. It makes our job easier.”
He then shared a concern, saying “the last two times I’ve been down there, it appears that people have made their way over the safety barriers.” He advised that the County needed to make sure those stay in place so that overly adventurous hikers do not get injured in the slide area.
Schaeffer went on to say that after speaking to “one out of state visitor,” it became clear that many remained unaware of the trail’s temporary closure, much less about alternate routes that would allow people to traverse more safely.
He added later that the project encompassed much more repair and maintenance work than just the slide.
Patrick Kovalck, Mayor of Shinnston, reported that “we do have signs ordered. They should be in this week showing a detour around that area.” He later shared that the detour “will go up Mahlon Street up the hill by the old high school and then down the road that goes to the sewer plant and the trail will continue at that point.”
“The whole section from the bridge to the sewer facility can be blocked off for now.”
Conversations also included the temporary installation of jersey barriers, concrete divisions often used to separate traffic on major highways. After Commissioner David Hinkle suggested their placement, County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis stated that she had already requested their placement.
Later, Commissioners, Pysz-Laulis, and County Attorney Trey Simmerman discussed issues with enforcing speed and other regulations on Rail Trail use. Pysz-Laulis brought up the confusion of the Sheriff’s Department in enforcing the rules.
Simmerman suggested better signage to outline expectations, adding “I suggest that it be minimal, whatever you think is fair.”
Also discussed was permitting of vehicles for those whose residences area placed in such a way as those who live there must cross or even use a part of the trail to get to their homes. Hinkle warned of households with significant numbers of vehicles and questioned the wisdom of allowing permits to all.
Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President suggested placing a permit on plastic so it could be transferred between vehicles.
