West Virginia Department of Transportation’s Jefferson Road Upgrade reduced congestion, eliminated conflict, and increased capacity to better serve commuters and the community. The presence of an offset intersection, which included an at-grade railroad crossing on one leg, increased congestion and created conflict points along the corridor. With this $64.73 million project, WVDOT wanted to address the long queues that had formed along the two-lane corridor. Elimination, or at least reduction, of traffic interaction at the at-grade railroad crossing, especially for emergency services response, was a challenge to overcome. The finished project reduced congestion caused by an offset intersection, decreasing travel time through the corridor. Conflicts at the at-grade railroad crossing were eliminated by building a bridge over and removing the existing crossing. In an area that served businesses, a community center, and a small neighborhood, left turns were eliminated to reduce traffic conflicts. Capacity was increased by widening from one lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction, and by adding a center turn lane throughout the project. The introduction of a roundabout eliminated the need for a signalized intersection for more free-flowing traffic. The addition of a shared-use path through the corridor provides a safe space for recreation needed in the area. Two traffic signals controlling the offset intersection were eliminated by bridging the at-grade railroad crossing and building the round-about. The existing signal at US60/Jefferson Rd I/S remained in use and retimed to accommodate the traffic changes. By eliminating the offset intersection, at-grade railroad crossing, and the associated traffic signals the new round-about, bridge spanning the railroad, and increased capacity through addition of lanes, traffic flows more smoothly, efficiently, and consistently through the area. Travelers through the upgraded corridor are benefiting from less congestion and stop-and-go traffic.
