Roth new supervisor for WVDOH in Tucker County

By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate

PARSONS – Another new face in Tucker County belongs to that of Dennis Roth, the new Tucker County Supervisor for the WV Department of Highways.
“I supervise the highway maintenance operations for Tucker County,” he said. “That includes all of the highways, including pothole repair, ditch maintenance and mowing throughout the summer months. During the winter we take care of snow removal and ice control.”
Roth said there are approximately 30 people working in the county which includes the offices in Thomas and Parsons.
Before coming to the WV DOH, Roth was in the construction field in Elkins and has been with the DOH for more than eight years. He said one of the toughest challenges faced by his workers is snow removal in the county.
“We will try to take care of the Tucker County roads in the winter,” he said. “We prepare for the winter by performing what we call a dry run. Here in the next month, we will make sure all of our equipment and manpower are prepared for the winter. We inspect and calibrate the material that goes on the road and make sure everything is in working order.”
Roth said in Tucker County, the WV DOH uses brine and a salt/cinder mixture on the roads. Jamie Rossi, district 8 engineer/manager said they like to use the brine when the temperature is from 10 degrees up to 32 degrees.
“The brine is a mixture of potable water and salt,” Rossi said. “It stays suspended and is effective down to minus 7 to 8 degrees. Once you get below zero, the chemical reaction of the salt slows down. The brine is salt mixed with City of Elkins water – drinking water.”
Rossi said the DOH is pleased to have Roth heading up Tucker County.
“He brings a lot of knowledge from the private and construction sector,” Rossi said. “He will be a good asset for us in Tucker County.”
Roth is from Preston County. The Tucker County WV DOH Office can be contacted by calling 304-478-2304.