By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Commission passed a Resolution to support the construction of a trail between Davis and Thomas. Matt Marcus addressed the Commission prior to the vote on the issue. Marcus had previously addressed the Commission on the proposal of the trail between the towns. The Resolution aims to help ease pedestrian and bicycle traffic along Route 32 between the towns.
The Resolution only supplies Marcus and his group with support, according to Marcus. Marcus also said that while he did not seek any money from the Commission, he felt the initiative will help everyone. “I think it’s a win-win situation for everybody,” Marcus said. “I’m not asking you for any money. I just want your support as our representatives.”
The goal of the initiative is to provide a designated right of way for individuals traveling the trails, trails that intersect and follow Route 32, according to Marcus. “What I’m talking about today is a trail between Thomas and Davis to basically keep pedestrians and bicyclists off that busy road,” Marcus said.
Many trails use Route 32 between Thomas and Davis as part of their routes, according to Marcus, including many heavily traveled continental trail systems. “Its the only open pubic right of way between the towns and its also the location of some major trails,” Marcus said. “A couple of them are over 5,000 miles long and go from Canada to Key West and from Delaware to California and go right through Davis and Thomas and they all use Route 32.”
Marcus said he and his group were striving to connect the towns in another way. “We’d love to see that trail traffic get off the road and just create a connection between the communities besides Route 32,” Marcus said.
Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau said that he agrees that there needs to be a separate right of way for foot and bicycle traffic between the towns. “Matt, I agree with you 100 percent,” Rosenau said.
The Resolution was passed by unanimous vote of a motion made by Tucker County Commissioner Fred Davis. The following is written on the Resolution:
- WHEREAS, the only existing public right of way between Thomas and Davis is WV Route 32;
- WHEREAS, WV Route 32 has no pedestrian or bicycle facilities;
- WHEREAS, because of increasing truck and passenger vehicle traffic WV Route 32 is becoming less safe for pedestrian and bicycle travel;
- WHEREAS, WV Route 32 between Thomas and Davis, WV is the interstate and international route of the Allegheny Trail, the Allegheny Highlands Trail, the American Discovery Trail, the Eastern Divide Trail and the GRUSK race routes and;
- WHEREAS, connecting Davis and Thomas, WV with a separate pedestrian and bicycle trail will enhance public safety, health, community connections, traffic reduction, economic development and quality of life for residents and visitors.
- NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE: RESOLVED, that the Tucker County Commission supports the efforts of the WV Department of Highways, the Blackwater Bicycle Association and supporting corporate and private landowners to construct a pedestrian and bicycle trail parallel to WV Route 32 between Thomas and Davis.
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be held on Wednesday, February 28 at 4 p.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse Old Courtroom.
