Chapter IV, Transportation
See Map Transportation, Structures, and Tax Districts
Overview and Historical Transportation Patterns.
Transportation is the act of moving passengers or goods from one location to another using a transportation system consisting of roads, streets, railroads, aircraft, watercraft, pipes, aqueducts or nearly any structure which permits either vehicular movement or flow of some commodity.
Summers County history is steeped in transportation. Arguably, Summers County came into existence as a result of one of the most powerful forms of transportation in history, the railroad. In fact, the management of the C&O Railroad is credited with lobbying the West Virginia Legislature to create Summers County in 1871. Prior to the railroad, Summers County served as a cross-roads of sorts for travelers by river and along early trails and roads, including the James and Kanawha Turnpike. The river served as a means of moving people and cargo via bateaus. These features have since become a point of pride for community residents and, in recent years, a point of interest for visiting tourists.
In recent history, the current methods of moving from one point to the next in Summers County are limited and, some would say, stifling. Though the railroad still has a major stake in the community and transports lots of freight and, a few times each week, passengers, the only other viable form of transportation in Summers County is vehicular. Given the extreme rural nature of the county and the greater-than-average poverty, there are obstacles to vehicular traffic.
A thorough plan for transportation in the county must consider not only the immediate assets, limitations and needs of the transportation options in the county, it must also consider the historical significance and economic impact of the transportation systems in Summers County.
Goals, Objectives, and Recommendations.
During the course of several community meetings, citizens noted many strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the overall transportation system in Summers County.
Citizens repeatedly identified proximity to urban areas and higher education via Interstate 64 as assets. However, citizens also appreciate the rural, insularly, un-crowded, and “laid-back” nature of the county as qualities of life worthy of protection. Specifically, citizens commented that there is an appreciation that there are amenities in nearby communities but the same amenities in Summers County might degrade the rural nature. In particular, citizens seem to appreciate the ability to get to big box stores without having these same stores compromise our rural county.
Ironically, the very qualities which were identified by some as assets, others found to be hindrances. Many citizens felt that traveling out the county for basic services and amenities was too difficult. Citizens commented on the lack of public transportation or easy access to amenities, including health care providers. Citizens also identified the long bus rides that many of the students in Summers County face to travel to and from one of the five public schools. Citizens also indicated that a lack of bicycle and pedestrian pathways is very limiting and these forms of transportation should be enhanced.
Based on the community input, the following goals were established to enhance transportation in Summers County:
To promote public health and safety, access to community facilities and businesses for all, regardless of age, physical capacity, weather conditions and time of day, and to promote diverse modes of transportation.
Provide residents and visitors with the ability to move safely and efficiently throughout the county, through a variety of means of travel, from automobiles to bicycles to pedestrian traffic.
Promote a wider mix of transportation choices in the community such as walking, bicycling, car sharing clubs, lift sharing bulletin boards, and public transport.
i. Vehicular
Overview
Motor vehicles are the most used form of transportation in Summers County. Because so many residents live in rural and remote parts of the county and because even the larger population centers have limited employment opportunities, most residents in Summers County travel to and from work by car. Many workers travel out of Summers County for employment. The mean travel time to work for Summers County residents is 33.3 minutes.1 Unfortunately, vehicular transportation is hindered for many citizens by the high rate of poverty which often leads to an inability to purchase or maintain a vehicle. Over 25% of Summers County residents live below the poverty line.2 Transportation by automobile is also a problem for many of Summers County’s elderly population which tend to drive less due to health or lack of financial ability to keep a car. Public transportation for Summers County is currently restricted to buses utilized by the Senior Citizen Center, by local Churches or the school system. For these reasons, the road system and possible public transportation systems are a cornerstone to transportation in Summers County.
Assets
Major roadways are Interstate 64, West Virginia State Route 3, West Virginia State Route 12, and West Virginia State Route 20.
Good roadway infrastructure.
Summers County is home to some of West Virginia Byways and Backways.
The future New River Parkway will allow access to the New River and a scenic drive from Sandstone to Hinton.
Small community, so many of the residents in the City of Hinton can walk to the local grocery store or other facilities.
Buses are provided by the Senior Citizen Center, community churches and the public school system for events planned by them.
Liabilities
Over 700 miles of roadways need to be maintained.
Frequent mass wasting, rock slides, and other debris on roadways.
Low shoulders on most roadways.
Unstable topography creates subsidence issues under some roadways.
Lack of public transportation options or taxi service.
Existing roadways are not designed for multiple uses.
Bus rides are too long for the school children.
Rural roads are often not maintained.
Loss of downtown shopping district(s) or other amenities, such as health care services, necessitates the need to commute greater distances.
Parking, particularly in downtown Hinton, is limited, especially during major events such as any of the community festivals.
Parking for larger tour buses is also limited.
Parking in the rural parts of the county is not easily identified without driving up on it by accident.
No cab or taxi service. For an area with more retirees who may prefer not to drive, they have to depend on family or friends or planned events. One resident says that she feels dependent and would prefer some way to get around when SHE wanted, without having to apologize for taking time to browse in a local store or having to work with a family member’s schedule rather than going on her own schedule.
Local drinking establishments do not provide an alternative for safe rides home for those who have overdone it.
Objectives and Recommendations
Objective: Ensure that future road construction promotes orderly traffic flow, allows for multiple uses and compliments the qualities which are valued, such as the rural, pastoral, natural and scenic aspects of the county.
Recommendations:
Governing bodies should require a traffic feasibility and impact study for development or subdivision of property which adds more than one single family residence, regardless of type of development. Such a study should address the anticipated increased number of vehicles on the road or street providing direct vehicular access to the proposed development and/or any alteration in traffic flow patterns. The traffic feasibility and impact study should specifically include the anticipated increase and type of vehicular traffic for any type of vehicle which is of a commercial nature. The traffic feasibility study should also address any increase in reliance on public services, such as whether additional school buses will be required to accommodate for the development.
The governing body may direct, pursuant to zoning regulations or subdivision ordinances, that developers mitigate adverse modification in traffic flow or type by including in the development plan traffic mitigation techniques, which might include altering the ingress/egress access to the nearest public road, installation of traffic control signals, and including alternative transportation infrastructure. The governing body, may, in addition to or in the alternative of, assess an impact fee commiserate with the anticipated impact on transportation services which are a direct result of increase or alteration in traffic patterns.
Encourage through regulations, ordinances or financial incentives development of roads which allow for multiple uses.
Mandate that future road development or construction or re-construction use design techniques which have the least environmental and visual impact and that roads are designed to visually and historically compliment the area.
Objective: Reduce the number of vehicles impacting the roads.
Recommendations:
Set up a Lift-Share area on a Web site with two section: one for lifts wanted and the other for lifts offered. Promote the Web site around town on bulletin boards and other common areas
Conduct a survey of residents to determine where they work and how far they travel. Work with the largest group to set up a carpooling scheme.
Encourage job growth and development and public services in areas with the largest population within walking distance.
Conduct a traffic survey to determine traffic patterns and the percentage of local, medium, and long distance journeys.
Objective: Improve parking and access to points of interest.
Recommendations:
Identify and mark strategic locations for improved parking within the city of Hinton.
Identify and mark more areas outside of city limits for camps, river access and other points of interest.
Objective: Establish a system of public transportation.
Recommendations
Establish a shuttle service in and immediately around the city of Hinton, ideally with an energy efficient vehicle.
Support a community shuttle for residents outside of the city, who could plan shopping trips and doctor visits.
Solicit private businesses which provide transportation services, such as taxi services and/or car rental services.
Railroad
Overview
The history of the railroad system through Summers County is a long and intricate. The rail-line crosses Summers County at the very center of the county in an east-westerly line and from Hinton north. It was once the primary means of transportation both within the county and to/from Summers County. At one point in the history of Summers County, there were over 50 passenger trains per day that arrived and departed in Hinton. In addition to transportation, the railroad effects both the historic aspects of the community and the current economy as CSX is a large employer for the community.
Assets
Rail lines in Summers County are actively in use to transport goods and people.
Railroad plays a significant role in the history of the county, including and especially the history of John Henry and the Big Bend Tunnel and historic downtown Hinton.
Hinton is a stop on the Amtrak line running from Washington D.C. to Chicago, Illinois.
The Railroad Depot is an historic feature and has the potential to be a tourist point of interest.
CSX is a significant employer.
Liabilities
CSX can be difficult to work with on community projects.
Dangerous substances are transported through the county via the rail.
The railroad limits access near and across the tracks which affects the communities’ ability to access some of the more valued resources in the community. For instance, there is no access from downtown Hinton into the New River Gorge National River because of the railroad.
More work needs to be done on the Railroad Depot for tourism.
Passenger transportation via rail is limited to only a few days each week and four trips during Railroad Days (community festival).
Objectives and recommendations
Objective: Utilize the railroad for the transportation of people, particularly tourists, to and from Summers County.
Recommendations:
Government and non-governmental agencies, particularly tourism based groups, should actively market access to Summers County via rail.
Government, non-government agencies, perhaps through an appointed board, should assess surrounding communities for amenities or needs which can be served by Summers County and work with the neighboring communities to establish a regular commuter train to and from Summers County. For instance, The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs was recently awarded a spot on the P.G.A Tour and this event is anticipated to attract thousands of tourists to the area. Summers County should actively pursue an arrangement with White Sulphur Springs to run a shuttle train to and from this event. Similarly, the recent arrival of the Boy Scouts in Fayette County could lead to a partnership in which attendees or their families can visit or stay in Summers County and commute to Boy Scout events in Fayette County via train.
Encourage services in and near the train station in Hinton to accommodate for tourists arriving via rail, such as a shuttle service to and from local boarding and restaurants. A taxi service or rental car business would also be effective.
Tourism based businesses which actively promote the use of the rail should be encouraged.
Renovate the historic rail depot in downtown Hinton for active use.
Objective: Create access to points of interest which are currently in-accessible due to the rail.
Identify areas of interest which are currently inaccessibly or access is limited due to the railroad. For instance, access to the John Henry Tunnel and the New River National River from Hinton are both limited due to the railroad.
Partner with CSX and other relevant agencies, such as the National Park Service to locate the most feasible points and means of access across the railroad tracks. If partnership is not forthcoming, consider other options, such as condemnation.
Develop and construct the proposed access points.
Provide police and other emergency services to patrol the access points and the areas accessed.
Objective: Mitigate damage to the community from a potential rail disaster or accident.
Recommendations:
Actively request information and participation from the railroad regarding disaster preparedness.
Draft and implement a community-based plan to address matters which may arise as a result of an accident on the railroad.
Train local emergency personnel in the disaster management plan.
Solicit funding and/or personnel from CSX for the preparation of the plan and for the training of local personnel.
Airports
Overview
The Hinton-Alderson Airport (location identifier WV77) is located three miles southwest of Alderson and 1 mile east northeast of Pence Springs. No airlines utilize this airport. The airport is for private use and permission is required prior to landing. There is no control tower. The runway is 2700 x 25 feet, with a surface of grass/sod with no special surface treatment. The airport is owned by Ruth Tolley Gwinn, Betty Tolley Cox and Suzanne Tolley Humphrey. The address is PO Box 305, Pence Springs, WV 24962 and the phone numbers are (304) 645-2444 or (304) 445-7802
Outside of Summers County, there are multiple airports within driving distance which are utilized by major airlines:
Beckley Airport, Beckley, WV
Greenbrier Airport, Lewisburg, WV
Yeager Airport, Charleston, WV
Roanoke Airport, Roanoke, VA
Assets
Summers County currently has only one privately-owned airport in the county.
Private citizens with small aircraft have easy access to Summers County.
Liabilities
The lack of an airport within the county does contribute to some loss from tourists who may not want to tackle unfamiliar roads (like Sandstone Mountain). For those tourists or visitors who are flying in from around the country, access to Summers County usually requires a minimum of an hour’s drive to reach the county from any major airport. While the driving time is not excessive, the tourist would have to want to come to Summers County for a particular reason before heading to the county.
There are no local shuttle services to or from any of the nearby commercial airports.
Objectives and Recommendations
Objective: Increase access to and from Summers County via air transportation.
Recommendations:
Investigate ways to increase access to the county, via airports.
Establish a shuttle service to and from nearby airports.
Promote advertising in airports to increase visibility of the county to potential visitors.
Encourage air businesses which may want to have Summers County as a starting point for “Air Sight-Seeing Tours”. Tourists could fly over the dam, the rivers, up to New River Gorge and back, in pilot-operated small airplanes or hot air balloons.
Port/Waterways
Overview
Since Summers County is the location for three rivers, for Bluestone Lake and multiple ponds and streams, boating is a frequent activity for the community and for visitors. At one point in the history of the area, the New River was a thoroughfare for river traffic via bateaus. However, these waterways are no longer much used for transportation purposes but remain some of the area’s most valued qualities. Because the rivers and lake are primarily used for recreation and valued for their environmental qualities, they will discussed in greater detail in other sections of this plan.
Assets
Summers County hosts many miles of rivers and lake.
Liabilities
Due to obstacles, both manmade and natural, and fluctuations in flow the rivers are not really a viable form of transportation.
Objectives and Recommendations
Objective: Promote safe and complimentary uses of the waterways.
Recommendations:
Consider options for utilizing the waterways as a means of transportation, provided the use does not adversely affect the water quality, scenic attributes, and recreational opportunities.
Provide water safety courses.
Non-motorized transportation, including bike trails and pedestrian paths.
Overview
Though there are sidewalks throughout most of Hinton, there are no paths around Summers County which are specifically designed to allow for non-motorized transportation or commuting. The citizens of Summers County have specifically and emphatically identified the need for additional opportunities to travel by non-motorized transportation. Non-motorized transportation, such as bicycles and pedestrian routes would reduce reliance on motorized vehicles which traditionally contribute to air pollution. Furthermore, an increase in bicycle and pedestrian opportunities will assist in the promotion of a healthier lifestyle for all residents. Therefore, to promote the health, safety, and public welfare, additional bicycle and pedestrian routes and options should be created and included in all future development plans.
Assets
Sidewalks in the Hinton city limits along most streets.
Several parks, including city parks with benches.
Trees lined streets.
Many streets in Hinton have street lighting.
Some one-way streets which are better for non-motorized transportation
Summers County has 22.1 miles of mountain biking trails in public parks and spaces.
Remote country roads are nice for walking or riding.
Liabilities
Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are limited in the county.
Narrow shoulders and poor sight distances make operating a bicycle or walking along county roads unsafe.
No designated bike trails or bike sharing on roadways.
Need to repair and maintain sidewalks.
Objectives and Recommendations
Objective: Develop a pedestrian-friendly community that incorporates and supports non-motorized transportation allowing pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists alike to travel safely and harmoniously.
Recommendations:
Make the city and surrounding area bicycle friendly by planning and implementing bike paths, producing bike maps of the area, providing bike racks, safety education, and promote the benefits of cycling.
All future roads constructed in Summers County should be designed to accommodate for non-motorized forms of transportation.
Collective bike and school runs – bike trains into town, or walking/cycling to school in the morning.
Help maintain sidewalks in urban areas using WVDOT Transportation Enhancement grants.
Create a system of non-motorized paths as a means of commuting from one area of the county into a larger system of bicycle and pedestrian systems.
Implement a “Share the Road” program that places signs throughout the county to remind motorists of bicycle and pedestrian usage.
Reclaim abandoned rail lines and road beds as potential trail operations for non-motorized usage.
Develop a mountain biking trail system.
Use traffic calming and reduction strategies to make the city streets more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
Encourage children to walk to school and solicit volunteer parents to work with groups.
Begin horse and cart taxi services around the community.
Governing bodies should require that any future development assess the possibility of improving the bicycle and pedestrian opportunities on the developed property and, if possible, on surrounding properties.
1 US Census Bureau, State and County Quick Facts, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54089.html
2US Census Bureau, State and County Quick Facts, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54/54089.html
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