Safety Improvements Planned For Crash-Prone Charles Town Intersection

Efforts to reduce vehicular accidents at a troubled Charles Town intersection will soon bring new construction. But first, representatives for the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) say they want to learn more about the needs, concerns and opinions of the local community.

In July, WVDOH announced plans for a safety improvement project on West Washington Street — a segment of Charles Town’s main downtown road beset by an above-average number of car accidents in recent years. WVDOH said in a press release last month that the project seeks to improve traffic flow at the intersection, which leads directly into the city center.

Proposed modifications for Washington Street include better bicycle and pedestrian access, increased vehicle capacity and “enhanced sight distance,” the press release read.

According to WVDOH, the crash rate for the western segment of Washington Street is 2.5 higher than the state’s average for roadways. From 2017 to 2021, 51 crashes occurred in the area designated for safety improvements, 29% of which caused injuries.

On Aug. 5, WVDOH hosted a public workshop at the nearby Wright Denny Intermediate School where members of the public provided input on the planned upgrades. Residents had the chance to view mock-ups of the improvement project and speak to engineers and planners directly, according to WVDOH.

“We value the input we received from the community,” said Doug Kirk, director of the WVDOH Technical Support Division, in an Aug. 12 press release. “The feedback gathered at the meeting will be carefully considered as we move forward with design and construction planning.”

Now, WVDOH is soliciting written feedback from residents and stakeholders who were unable to attend this month’s meeting. Community members interested in providing comments on the comment can do so on the West Virginia Department of Transportation website.

WVDOH said in its August press release that the safety improvements seek to support “the long-term growth of the Charles Town area,” which is one of the fastest-growing regions in West Virginia.

Meanwhile, the roadway modifications are not the only changes planned for downtown Charles Town.

On the opposite end of Washington Street, members of the Jefferson County government are currently moving out of several disparate county offices, transitioning into a consolidated pair of buildings slightly further from the town center.

The Jefferson County Commission has cited capacity needs and facility improvements as causes for the move, and is now seeking buyers for its Washington Street properties.