'It's just very dangerous': Petition created for overpass at Putnam County intersection

PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — More than 1,700 people have signed a petition for the creation of an overpass at the intersection of Route 35 and Hurricane Creek Road in Putnam County.

Janie Miles said she travels on Route 35 almost every day.

"Every day there's a little bit of a fear that grips me," she said.

Miles said the intersection is a problem spot for crashes.

"We have to cross four lanes of traffic, and it's just very dangerous," she told Eyewitness News. "There are no real good turn lanes."

Miles said she knows of several people who have been hurt or killed in that area.

"There's a girl, she's a really good friend of our family, who is lying in the hospital. She's been there for three weeks. We don't know if she's gonna survive this," she said.

People showed up for the Putnam County Transportation Committee meeting on Monday to present the petition. Putnam County Commissioner Steve Deweese said the West Virginia Division of Highways is conducting a traffic study on the intersection, which could take up to six months to complete.

"From what the OES Assistant Director mentioned in the open meeting is... we've had at least 26 crashes there since 2019," he said.

Deweese said one life lost on Route 35 is too many.

"Hopefully we'll get some good information and what course of action the Department of Highways will come up with, with their consultants and their engineers," Deweese told Eyewitness News.

Miles and the more than 1,700 others whose names are on the list are hoping changes are made.

"I've lost friends, their brother died there just last year," Miles said. "It's very near and dear to our hearts to try to get something done. If we could at least get somebody to listen, that just helps us know that someone cares."

Petition organizers said people can still sign the petition. The next Putnam Country Transportation Committee meeting will be on Sept. 30.