Morgantown is witnessing a significant presence of Mountaineer Contractors in its controversial roundabout projects. This local firm has emerged as a key player, securing contracts for various roundabout constructions. In September, it was awarded a $2,091,104 contract for an oval roundabout at the University Avenue and Collins Ferry Road intersection. Now, it has been chosen by the state to build two roundabouts on Green Bag Road. The bid for the Green Bag Road project was awarded to Mountaineer Contractors on Dec. 6 for $18,332,804.40. However, the West Virginia Division of Highways has not provided The Dominion Post with an updated starting date for the work, but it is likely to begin in spring 2025 and is expected to be finished in fall 2027.

Project Details and Context

According to DOH Highway Engineer Associate Chad Lowther and Senior Highway Engineer Dirar Ahmad, the work on Green Bag Road begins just east of the intersection with the Mountaineer Mall entrance and ends at the intersection with Jonathan Lane. The road will be widened along this portion, and a five-foot sidewalk will be constructed. More controversially, the project includes the construction of two new roundabouts - one at the Green Bag Road and Kingwood Pike/Dosey Avenue intersection and the other at the Mississippi Street intersection.In 2014-15, the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization conducted a study of the Green Bag Road route, looking at the entire corridor including the operation of the Kingwood Pike and Mississippi Street intersections. It indicated that both fail to adequately move vehicles during high traffic times. After that, the conversation gained significant momentum when it was known that roundabouts were a major component of the state's prescribed solution.In a 2020 guest editorial for The Dominion Post, MPO Executive Director Bill Austin explained the reasoning for traffic circles. The WVDOH's preliminary engineering study found that installing a roundabout would make traveling the corridor significantly quicker than signals. Roundabouts are also safer as there can be no "T-bone" accidents. Moreover, a roundabout can be constructed at a lower cost to taxpayers and does not require displacing businesses or residences.

Community Impact

Members of the Hastings family operate a community garden on their property at the Green Bag and Kingwood Pike intersection. They opposed the plan and pressured the DOH to conduct an environmental study for a project that was initially said to be exempt. The study opened a public comment opportunity, which the state extended due to the amount of feedback received. In early 2022, the DOH issued its findings stating that the project would have no significant environmental impact. However, it did require funding for community gardens to address the loss of the Hastings property. The MPO distributed $15,000 in community garden grants this year.The Mississippi Street roundabout will require about two acres of property owned by the city of Morgantown, which is the location of the city's maintenance and public works garage. The city has assured that the loss of the property will not impact the garage's functionality and remains fully supportive of the overall Green Bag project.

Construction Details

Lowther previously told The Dominion Post that traffic control during construction will be managed through a combination of flaggers, temporary signals, and temporary road closures. There is a detour projected to last two weeks using Kingwood Pike, Summer School Road, and WV 7.Long term, this is just the beginning phase of the work planned for Green Bag Road. Phase II will focus on the rest of the road - from Mississippi Street to Don Knotts Boulevard, including improvements to the major intersection at one end and from Lucky Lane to Deckers Creek Boulevard at the other. This project is currently listed at just over $12.4 million.