Page 4--bt atabontas imQApril 3, 2003
1 -2-3!
Corps gives
update on
Marlinton
levee project
Mayor Doug Dunbrack greeted
those attending the Corps of
Engineers public meeting on the
levee-floodwall project for area. He
felt sure everyone had learned that
the State of West Virginia would
join the project as sponsor of the
local share of the cost, as
announced by Governor Bob Wise,
and the Mayt credited Senator Wait
Helmick for the success of the
etTmt.
Karen Miller updated the group
on the levee/floodwall combination
from the bridge at Campbelltown
and around Riverside, and from
Greenbrier Hill down dm Greenbrier
and up Knapps Creek around Mar-
linton. There will be purchased
about 100 tracts or portions of
tracts: at the wetlands the dirt will
be taken out and replaced.
Instead of October, the U.S.
government didn't get the budget
signed until February; the Corps
had to wait until the budget was
actually signed, so there wasn't a
financial partner during the winter
and the project was pushed back.
They have funds enough to start the
Corps Headquarters office. They
will be beginning next year to get
papers signed, getting real estate at
Riverside, and get office up and
running. The next spring they will
be ready to start, time depending on
weather, and while Riverside con-
struction goes on, they will be
working on Marlinton.
The Corps was lirst authorized
to proceed up to $12,000,000, then
up to $47,000,000, and this will
have to be raised to $89,000,000.
Work will have to include sewer
lines and electrical relocation.
Advertisement and award of pro-
jecL hrst phase 2005, second phase
2006, completion March 2011 with
hope for 2010.
In answer to a question, the
Corps said there was no increase of
level of flooding at residences in
Campbelltown because of the pro-
jecL
• • 4•.
MARLINTON
LOCAL PROTECTION
ALTERNATIVE 1
PROJECT .: . " 1 , "
,,. ,
., y": ;:
. o: :
Durbin residents discuss moving
Local citizens expressed opin-
ions about the future of the North-
ern Pocahontas County Health
Clinic on Monday nighL March 24.
The most divisive issue was
whether to keep the clinic in Dur-
bin and expand or build new at a
free building site at the East Fork
Industrial Park in Frank. Opinions
were fairly well divided on both
sides.
Mike Douglas, NPCHC Board
President, was in charge of the
meeting held in tim crowded waiting
room at the clinic. He told of Dr.
Joe Stefll's dream, prior to his
death, to have a new clinic at the
EFIP. Douglas also said ff the
non-profit organization owned their
building, they could tap into federal
grant money.
Douglas then introduced a hired
architect, Bryson Van Nostrand,
from Bucldaannon. He noted the
present building has served well,
but if expansion is foreseen in the
future a larger building and parking
lot are needed. He mentioned the
present building could be purchased
for $75,000 and the house and lot
Ins' rough estimate of $200,000.
Former board member Donnie
Curry noted, "This would be a
beautiful building in not a very
beautiful setting.
Local pastor John Riffe spoke
against the clinic leaving Durbin.
He said it is a "terrible idea" to
build a health clinic in an industrial
park.
Nancy Benetato, a Durbin resi-
dent, said she does not drive and
wants the clinic to remain there.
She ,ked if there was a move, how
long would it take. Douglas replied
that it might be two years.
Resident Don Jennings had a
concern about the cost of a new site
preparation. The consensus was
that it was not in the flood plain, it
was flat and it was filled in and
graveled in the late 1980's. It
should be ready to build on.
Barrow resident Jason Bauser-
man said he liked the original plan
of a clinic/library/community center
housed next to each other at the
EFIP. He explained the small com-
munities of At'oovaie and Dunmore
had community centers. He felt
next door for $20,000, but even
with expansion and renovation, the
problems of flooding and parking
remain. Having evaluated other
buildings in Durbin, Van Nostrand
concluded, "It does point to a new
structure.
Town resident Buster Varner
asked how it would be funded.
NPCHC Administrator Rick
Simons answered with a low inter-
est loan from the Center for Rural
Health Development and a bank
loan.
Simmons guessed there are
3,000 visits yearly at present. He
wanted a larger space for privacy
and visits by specialists like a car-
diologist and physical therapist.
Minimum space would require
3,500 square feet compared to the
present 2,100 square feet. He stated
circular flow within the building
would be a priority.
Board member Michelle Arbo-
gast voiced concerns about driving
on the narrow and hilly road with
semi-trucks at the old tannery site.
She also figured a new clinic would
cost $275,000 compared to Doug-
Cass bridge possibilities detailed
high water.
Following input from the public
and various governmental agencies
in 1999, two additional alternates
were studied by the consultant.
aey are:
5. Relocation of Rt. 66 and a
new bridge approximately 2400 feet
downstream from the present
bridge. This alternate would elim-
inate traffic to Snowshoe and other
through traffic from traveling with-
in the park. The bridge would
have to be 650 feet long. The new
alignment of Rt. 66 would leave
the present road at the curve into
town and rejoin the present road
near the intersection with the road
to Deer Creek.
The estimated cost is $8 million
for the bridge and $800,000 for the
new road, right-of-way, and utili-
ties.
The study also notes there are
possible wetland impacts that will
require mitigation measures. Also
there is possible impact on the
Slabtown area of the Cass Historic
District.
6. A new bridge at the present
site, but constructed to resemble the
historic structure. This new bridge
would also be 170 feet long. Esti-
mated cost of this project-is
$1,190,000 for the bridge and
$376,000 in other costs.
Written comments on the propo-
sals for a the Cass bridge should be
sent to Jim Sothen, P.E., Director,
Engineering Division, WV Divi-
sion of Highways, Capitol Com-
plex Building 5, 1900 Kanawha
Boulevard East, Charleston, WV
25305. Deadline for •comments is
April 21.
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recreation for youth and adults was
particularly needful in wintertime.
He said no one mentions a com-
munity center anymore and he
doesn/t want it to die.
Arbovale resident and board
member Harold Crist summed up
his feelings. Originally he opposed
the Arbovaie Post Office closing
down, but says now he just has to
walk out his door to get his mail.
Crist noted tim new fire department
at Green Bank is still called Bartow-
Frank-Durbin Fire Department. He
also invited Bauserman and anyone
else to use their
ntiy Center.
Durbin
Frank Proud said as |1
wanted the clinic to
bin. But as presidea
hontas
"would help the
possible" if they
Frank.
Douglas
haven't made a
announced a vote bY!
directors
the next
Neighborhood Watch to begin in
by Jason Bauserman
Contributing Writer
The Neighborhood Watch Pro-
gram will become a reality in
northern Pocahontas CountY.
Donald L. Jennings was selected
as coordinator for the program. The
Durbin resident said he would like
to install NWP signs from Bartow
to the west end of Durbin on the
Lion's Club board.
He said any suspicious activity
will be documented. Jennings said
he hoped the group can help citi-
zens burglar-proof their homes. A
meeting "has already been scheduled
with senior citizens to do that.
Pocahontas County Commis-
sioner James Carpenter noted he re-
ceived $400 from the county com-
mission to purchase a camcorder to
document drug dealings.
"We are going to 100% coopera-
tion from the sheriff and
feet (tWO 11 foot lanes and three
foot shoulders). In each case the
bridge itself would cost $702,000.
The variation in costs comes from
the work needed on the approaches
to the bridge as well as right-of-way
cot and cost to relocate utilities.
Alternate 3 also has a $150,000
cost for a temporary bridge.
4. Renovation of the present
bridge. This would involve the
complete removal and replacement
of the existing parapets and side-
walk, repair of the arches and span-
drel walls, repair or replacement of
the wing walls, and pouring a new
deck. The estimated cost of this al-
ternate is from $806,000 to
$876,000. The study notes that the
renovated bridge would still only
have an 18 foot roadway width and
with no change in the waterway,
still be vulnerable to damage from
°0o!0 ,
The Division of Highways
(DOH) held a public informational
meeting in Cass last Thursday con-
cerning replacement of the bridge
on Rt. 66 over the Greenbrier River
at Cass.
The existing bridge was built in
1917 and consists of two concrete
arch spans. The total length of the
bridge is 151 feet.
The DOH released a study in No-
vember 1998 which gave five alter-
nates for the site. The study was
done by Stafford Consultants, Inc.,
of Princeton.
The first alternate is the "No
Build Alternate." The study notes
that this is really not a feasible op-
tion, due to the condition of the
structure. No-build would eventu-
ally result in the closing of the
bridge to traffic. With the use of
Rt. 66 as a new access to
Snowshoe Mountain and the isola-
tion the bridge closing would cause
for the Cass Scenic Railroad, this is
not considered a possible course of
action by the consultant.
The four "Build Alternates" in the
original study are:
1. A new bridge upstream of the
existing structure, with an estimat-
ed cost of $999,000.
2. A new bridge immediately
downstream from the present
bridge, with an estimated cost of
$946,000.
3. A new bridge at the existing
location, with an estimated cost of
$1,078,000.
In all three of the above build al-
ternates, the new bridge would be
170 feet long with a width of 28
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ing attorney,"
nounced.
"It's got to work
through the system,
Pastor John Riffe.
"I can get the
can't set the
hontas
ney Walt
need to be prepared to!
uncomfortable. What]
is worthwhile.
ference in
Pocahontas
Alkire assured the
support was
"Once we start
to have some more
iff said.
Jennings noted
needs backup from
He went on to say
start in one-to-two
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Pocahontas County High School
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