13 December 2007
Senator Edgell,
As you requested, I am writing this letter to update you on the road conditions, truck traffic, and the various incidents that have occurred in the Silver Hill area due to deep well drilling.
If our first snow storm of the year is an indication of things to come, you need to be aware of the dangerous situations caused by the semi tractor and trailers driving on Rt. 3, Rt. 89, and Macedonia Ridge Road.
The first incident occurred at approximately 12 PM. On the sharp turn near the Stiles home, a semi tractor and trailer carrying a dozer became stuck on the icy road blocking traffic. Ms. Wetzel, our mail carrier, asked the driver to let her pass so she could resume mail delivery. The driver told her no “time is money”. The dozer was then unloaded and used to PLOW the road allowing the truck to pull to the top of the hill where chains were placed on the wheels. The dozer was reloaded and at this time Ms. Wetzel was allowed to pass.
A short time later Ms. Wetzel then met the truck at Macedonia Ridge Road. As a frequent driver on this road she knew the road would be icy and slippery; she asked the driver to let her finish her mail route before he delivered the dozer to the drilling site. Yet again, Ms. Wetzel was told “No, we will lose money, we are on a time schedule”. She then proceeded to continue delivering the mail. Upon her return trip to Rt. 89 Ms. Wetzel met the semi with chains jackknifed on the hill and blocking the road; the dozer was eventually parked at Silver Hill; the road was too icy for the truck. Unable to backtrack to Pleasants Ridge Road because another truck was over the hill, Ms. Wetzel did not finish her mail route until 7 o’clock that evening. We need to keep in mind that, as a mail carrier, Ms. Wetzel is a Federal Employee!
The next incident occurred at approximately 3:40 pm. Mr. Puglis, a state employee, who travels everyday from Cameron to St. Mary’s, uses Rt. 3 and Rt. 89 because it is the quickest way for him to get to work. Traveling east on Rt. 89, Mr. Puglis was near McBride Ridge when he noticed a semi tractor and trailer coming up the hill toward him. He pulled off the road allowing the truck to pass within an inch of his car – the berm then gave out and Mr. Puglis’ auto went approximately five feet down over the hill. Fortunately Mr. Puglis was not seriously injured. The truck driver backed into the nearest driveway. He then attempted to back up the hill and aid Mr. Puglis in pulling his car back onto the road. Because the road was icy the truck could not get any traction. At this point the school bus came, and the truck driver had to pull into the driveway again to allow the bus to pass without further incident. My question is, what if the bus would have be 5 minutes earlier? Would it have gone over the hill? And why was a semi-tractor and trailer running during school hours – in the direction of the oncoming bus?
Shortly after this incident, the bus was delayed on Macedonia Ridge with the children onboard. Ms. Yoho took a picture of the truck with a dozer on it. Several parents called me wondering where their children were. Considering the conditions of the roads, I believe they were VERY worried and concerned for the children’s safety. Mr. Harlan tried to contact the sheriff’s department several times to inquire about his children’s welfare but he received no response.
The next incident that occurred was at approximately 5:40 pm.- at this point it was dark outside. On Rt. 89 near the Stiles home two trucks were stuck on the icy hill. They had an escort vehicle with a plow and hopper; there was an oversize load sign on one of the trailers. The semi carrying the track hoe stripped its gears and could not pull the heavy trailer. The second semi carrying a dozer went back to New Dale (intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 89) and unloaded the dozer; it then went back and switched trailers with the other vehicle. The disabled vehicle then headed toward New Martinsville and the semi pulling the track hoe continued toward Silver Hill.
It was at this point that Rose Ann Baker and I turned off of McBride Ridge and headed toward New Martinsville. We were stopped by several neighbors (people who had earlier helped Mr. Puglis pull his auto back onto the road) who told us a huge truck was coming up the hill and due to the hazardous road conditions we should wait until it passed. As we waited we saw the escort truck with a plow and hopper . They were plowing the road and spreading salt. We told them they were not suppose to use salt on the road as it causes the asphalt to disintegrate at an execrated rate. Furthermore, “ Didn’t they think it was too dangerous to be out on slippery roads?” Arvilla, a subcontracted company, sent them out. Turning around they went back down the hill. It took 10 minutes before we saw the semi creeping up the hill – close BEHIND was the escort vehicle! Upon reaching Macedonia Ridge the track hoe was unloaded and back off the road and parked next to the dozer.
There is the issue of courtesy. The drivers did not treat Ms. Wetzel with courtesy. It was very late when she finished her mail route. I do believe that legally a mail carrier cannot be detained longer than 5 minutes.
The semi-trucks were not supposed to run in the opposite direction of our school buses. Many parents appreciated this – ignoring this request during hazardous road condition was irresponsible. Progress always has a price; we do not want it to be our children.
There is no reason Mr. Puglis should have been forced off the road and over the hill. The berms should be safe enough for vehicles, especially automobiles, to pull over onto in order to avoid the truck traffic.
I was under the impression that salt would not be used on Rt. 89. This was discussed at our first public meeting when a highway department spokesman stated that because of the poor condition of the road salt would destroy the asphalt. Arvilla was at fault.
A company should not be allowed to take it upon itself to use salt on the road. Also, according to Mr. Paden (DOT), oversized trucks are not permitted to run from sunset to sunrise and they are especially not allowed to use hazardous roads during that time period.
Friday evening phone calls were made to the DOT, but they were 1 ½ hours away. The sheriff’s department was called, but not one deputy was available. Chesapeake was notified – trucks were becoming stuck on the icy roadway. The state police were called out, after all several laws were being disregarded; a trooper did come but the track hoe had been unloaded – he drove past the trucks as they waited to return to New Martinsville. Mr. Rush, from the highway department came out and assessed the situation.
The life style at Silver Hill is changing. The citizens are worried about their children; they leave their homes in fear of meeting semi-tractor and trailers while traveling about their business. Taxpayers are angry that money is wasted patching a road that heavy trucks will destroy in a few weeks. They are angry that their elected officials are not protecting the people they serve; they are not enforcing established laws and are not legislating new laws needed for a new situation.
Yes, the first snow storm of the season brought not only icy roads and hazardous conditions, but it also makes one aware that there are issues that need to be addressed and resolved.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Hall
SHCAC
CC: Delegate Pethel
Senator Kessler
Randy Orsburn